Standing in line

So this blog is about one very cultural difference that really surprised me when I first arrived in Tanzania in Siha and in every part of the country.

The first weekend that I was in Tanzania I was guided around with the help of a German lady that I met at the hostel that I was staying at. We walked around Moshi, one of the "big cities" found in northern Tanzania; my stops included the post office to get some stamps. I was standing in line waiting to buy my stamps; I was standing comfortable behind a person, about a body-width space between us, when another local walked right up in front of me cutting in line. I was shocked. The next day I returned to the post office to send my letters, again standing in line. I was standing behind another tourist, when local "cut" in front of him. The tourist turned and gave me a "did you see what that guy did?" look.

I soon realised that when standing in line everyone stand very close in line, inches between customers. The person that "cut" in front of me was not being mean, they just didn't think that I was in line.

Female Teacher's Professional Dress

From what I experienced while I was in the Siha District of Tanzania was the following. Female teachers usually wear dresses, skirts and nice slacks with dress sandals. It is pretty simple (professional conservative). If you are in the village you will probably have more conservative ideas towards women, but foreigners are usually given much slack because "they are not from our culture." I would recommend, while you are there, getting some of the pretty dresses or skirts that they have, they are so colorful and comfortable.

Just remember that it is hot, dusty and conservative.

Who am I and why am I here

To everyone who is reading this blog...
My name is Stephanie, I am a senior at Oregon State University (in Corvallis Oregon US). My plan is to graduate in December 2008 (end of fall term) with a degree in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Anthropology. After graduation I will hopefully start grad school the next fall.

Like most college students, OSU students are encouraged to do internships in cross-cultural settings. OSU has aninternational internship- IE3 program for students, such as myself, to trek all across the globe for a varied amounts of time doing internships in other countries. For my internship I chose teaching high school biology in Tanzania, East Africa for six months.

My internship was at Siha Secondary School near Sanya Juu in the new Siha district. I taught Form three Biology which included to topics ranging from excretion, regulation and reproduction. It was quite an experience.

I am creating this blog to help answer questions, from my experiences and opinions, for people that are interested to visit or plan to visit the region in and around Siha district.


If there are any questions or suggestions please post or email me at manka.stephanie@gmail.com.
Thanks and I hope that it is helpful.