Internships Details

About the Organization

ZASAC is a small non-profit organization that provides evening tutorial classes for upper primary and secondary school students in the public schools of Zanzibar's Stone Town. It originated in 1992 as a voluntary education program and was registered as an NGO in 2004. ZASAC is based in the Kajifikeni urban west region of Stone Town. ZASAC is a voluntary organization and the 25 teachers who provide the tutoring do so without pay, and above their regular day-time teaching responsibilities.

The program enrolls 300-400 students per year on a voluntary basis. All subjects are covered, including math, English, civics and sciences. Occasionally, as time and funding allows, ZASAC takes students on study tours.

The program runs year-long with short breaks after exams.

Job Description

Interns will be involved in teaching through sharing their own experiences. Interns will spend days assisting or leading instruction in formal primary or secondary classrooms along with ZASAC-affiliated teachers. In the afternoons they will teach supplemental education for secondary students from form one to four. Interns will teach different subjects depending on their skills and student and school needs.

# of Positions per term

1-2

Start Dates

Winter, spring and early summer terms

Duration of Internship

1-2 terms

Qualifications

Academic Background

Education, English, math, science, etc.

Skills/Experience

Ability to understand and communicate the subject matter to students. Interns will need to be resourceful in developing lesson plans with limited resources.

Language Ability

Language of instruction is English but some Swahili is very helpful.

Other Requirements

Internship Costs

Total costs vary depending on how long you plan to be abroad, where you will be living, your personal spending habits, and current exchange rates. The following estimates will give you a ballpark figure for this internship. Get help with the math from our handy Cost Calculator.
ALL ESTIMATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

IE₃ Program Fee

For spring term 2012, the program fee for the first term of any internship is $2950 - $3150. The expected program fee beginning summer term 2012 is $3450 for the first term. You do not pay tuition in addition to the program fee. Visit your University's IE₃ page for details, costs for additional terms, and campus administrative fees.

Estimated One-Time Expenses

Expense Type	Price
International Travel	$2200
Visa Fees	$120
Recommended Immunizations	$440

*See Additional Cost Information below.

Estimated Monthly Expenses

Expense Type	Price/month
Housing	$300
Food	$300
Local Transportation	$60
Recreation	$100
Personal Expenses	$50

Compensation

None

Additional Expense Information

Accommodation in private bedroom in shared apartment in Stone Town. Most apartments are walking distance from the ZASAC facilities. Homestays may also be arranged upon request.

Additional Information

ZASAC is a very modest organization and operates without funding and within the limitations of Zanzibar's public schooling system. Interns will find significant differences between Zanzibari and American schools with regards to curriculum, resources, pedagogical approaches, classroom dynamics, educational quality and rigor. This can sometimes result in a challenging experience for interns. However, for interns prepared for these differences and interested in observing them first-hand while learning to work within them, an internship can be very rewarding.

Stone Town, where ZASAC is based, is Zanzibar’s main commercial and cultural capital. Because of its world-heritage status, the city attracts many tourists from around the world all year round. As result, the living costs, especially for foreigners, may be considered expensive compared to other parts of the Islands or the mainland Tanzania.

The Islands of Zanzibar are very beautiful with a fascinating history from being the capital of the Omani Empire under a dynasty of Arab Sultans that ruled the Eastern Coast of Africa and the present day Sultanate of Oman in the Arabian Gulf. Zanzibar is also infamous for being a former center of post abolition slave trade with secret caves and monuments that have been preserved until today. Also owing to the centuries-old blend between Arabs and Bantu-Africans, Zanzibar was the birth place of Africa’s most widely spoken native language, Swahili, which has a unique culture with mesmerizing music styles and other art forms. Present day Zanzibaris are a friendly people who, like inhabitants of most African countries, are faced with challenges in sustainable development, poverty, threat of diseases and occasional political tensions.

Zanzibar is a predominantly Muslim country and despite being a largely tolerant society being under dressed is normally considered offensive and inappropriate. Therefore casual dress means no shorts (male & female) and no very short skirts! Men are required to wear long pants and women to cover their legs and shoulders. Long skirts or trousers are acceptable for women with either long sleeved blouses or shawls.

Additional information can be found at:

Zanzibar Tourism http://www.zanzibar.net

The Guardian http://www.ippmedia.com

Field Notes:

Share My Story: 2001 Alumna Robin Tlehhema by Robin Tlehhema: a 2001 Alumna who interned in Tanzania with Siha Secondary Schools in the Summer of 2001 (August 8, 2011)