Title: We are People First and Americans Second: Students Reflect on Their Study Abroad Experience to Tanzania
Stream: International Education
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Authors:
Nicole DeClouette, Georgia College & State University, United States
Sheena Kopecky, Georgia College & State University, United States
Abstract:
Tanzania is a beautifully-woven tapestry of 120 tribes, each with its own history, language, and traditions. With such differences throughout Tanzania, one may be tempted to think that relationships among Tanzanians might be strained. To the contrary, Tanzania is a peaceful country. As the former Vice Chancellor of Sebastian Kolowa Memorial University said, “We are Tanzanians 1st, tribes 2nd.” This phrase stuck with six students from Georgia College as they travelled throughout Tanzania to study the intersection of disability and culture. Disability in Tanzania is complicated, especially among the Maasai tribe. Historically, the Maasai left babies born with disabilities in the bush to die. Part of the reason for that is because they are pastoralist and semi-nomadic, requiring extensive physical mobility as they moved to find food and water for their cows and goats. Today, the Tanzania government has outlawed this practice, though people we meet still tell us that children with disabilities are often left in cages or tied up at home. Dr. DeClouette will present a qualitative analysis of students’ post-study abroad reflections. In addition to learning about the cultural construction of disability, the experience abroad caused students to reflect on what it means to be American and what it means to be human. Extending the phrase they heard by the former Vice Chancellor, they reached the conclusion, “We are People 1st, Americans 2nd.” Students will add context to the emergent themes with examples from their experience abroad.
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