TSU Students Experience East Africa Through Longstanding Study Abroad Program in Tanzania
By A group of 11 Texas Southern University students is currently exploring Tanzania and East Africa as part of a two-and-a-half-week study abroad program rooted in a decades-long collaboration with the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM).
The program, running from July 7–25, offers students an immersive educational and cultural experience, including lectures by UDSM faculty, visits to historical and cultural landmarks, and time on the island of Zanzibar. Participants will also spend time at the Institute of Social Work, engage with local business faculty, and conclude their visit with an overnight trip to a national park.
This year’s cohort includes students from various majors, with several studying social work under the guidance of Dr. Nicole Willis. Other TSU faculty on the trip include Dr. Naveed Haider from the Jesse H. Jones School of Business, Dean Jason Oby, and guest participant Dr. Cary Wintz.
As a highlight of the trip, students were invited to the U.S. Embassy in Tanzania for a special visit arranged by 2024 TSU graduate Dexter Maryland, who currently works there with the U.S. Department of State.
The TSU-UDSM partnership dates back to 1997, when the first group of TSU faculty traveled to Tanzania on a Fulbright Group Project Abroad. In 2000, the first TSU student group visited, and the program has continued nearly every year since 2004, pausing only during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the years, the program has included components in art and other disciplines, reflecting the interests and expertise of participating faculty.
The trip is one of several faculty-led international programs supported each year by TSU’s Office of International Programs. In 2024, additional groups traveled to Argentina, France, Spain, and South Korea, each led by faculty from various academic units. Limited financial support from the International Education Fee helps offset student costs and expand access to global learning opportunities.
For more information about TSU’s international programs or to explore study abroad opportunities, students are encouraged to contact the Office of International Programs.
