Tanzania Field School
Program Description
This unique four-week field school, offered by the School for International Studies, takes you to Dar es Salaam and Arusha, giving you firsthand insight into development, climate change, and social movements in East Africa.
In Dar es Salaam, you’ll stay at the historic University of Dar es Salaam—an influential centre for decolonization and alternative development thinking. You’ll study with SFU and UDSM instructors, connect with local women’s cooperatives, visit grassroots worker associations, and meet development officials to gain broader perspectives on the challenges surrounding economic and social development.
In Arusha, you’ll be based at the Arusha Climate and Environmental Research Centre (AKU-ACER), a hub for SFU’s partnership with the Aga Khan University. Here, you’ll learn about the real effects of climate change on communities, examine resource conflicts, and engage directly with local communities, NGOs, and government officials through a series of site visits and excursions.
This immersive experience combines classroom learning with hands-on engagement to deepen your understanding of just and sustainable development in Africa. You won’t just study change—you’ll witness it, engage with it, and be transformed by it.
Students will learn about:
- The broad historical backdrop to current African politics
- The impact of climate change on rural communities in Tanzania
- Trends in violent conflict in Africa and how climate change is shaping these
- The complex impact of structural adjustment and neoliberalism on African economies
- Critical approaches to economic development
- African social movements and how they are shaping the continent's future
Dar es Salaam
In the capital Dar es Salaam, students will stay on the campus of the University of Dar es Salaam. The university is a historic site where scholars pioneered different visions of development and decolonization.
Arusha
On the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in northern Tanzania, students will stay at Arusha Climate and Environmental Research Centre at the Aga Khan University (AKU-ACER). This area has seen dramatic changes due to climate change.
Program Dates
May 11, 2026 – June 6, 2026
Courses
The program consists of 3 courses for a total of 12 SFU units:
- IS 325/IS 825: Social Movements in a Changing Africa
- IS 423/IS 809: International Development Practice and Ethics
- IS 497/IS 820: Field Practice/Directed Studies
Eligibility
This field school is open to students from SFU as well as other universities.
Requirements for all participants include:
- Must be 19 years of age or older prior to departure
- Have a minimum 2.5 CGPA
- SFU students: be in good academic standing at the time of application
- Completed at least 45 units (BA); 12 units (MA)
Cost and Funding
Tanzania Field School Program Fees
The program fee per SFU student will be $1,600 CAD plus airfare to/from Tanzania and travel visa. The program fee covers accommodation, food, excursion fees, and travel within Tanzania. Cost for non-SFU students will be about $3,600 CAD.
Additional financial assistance
Students would also be eligible for SFU bursaries, scholarships, and awards. As it is a full-time program and students are enrolled for SFU's full Summer term they will be eligible for BC student loans as well.
Information Sessions
Interested students are invited to attend a scheduled information session. Dates will be updated shortly. To stay informed, sign up for the Field School mailing list above.
How to Apply
The application is entirely online in the Study Abroad System. Information of the latest application deadlines are available at the link below.
Organizer Information
SFU Faculty/Field School Director
Jason Stearns
Associate Professor, 91ÅÝܽ
Assistant Field School Director
Sabatho Nyamsenda
Assistant lecturer, University of Dar es Salaam