GSI's partnership with Global Education Oregon (GEO) sends students and faculty members to Zanzibar.

Eight students took part in the Swahili Language and Culture in Zanzibar summer study abroad program, learning language within the culture and earning a year's worth of language credits in a relatively short time. This immersive language and cultural experience for Swahili learners used local foreign-language instructors to teach Swahili at different levels while students live in the community. “One of the unique and important aspects of this program is that students have the chance to live with local Zanzibari families,” said Melissa Graboyes, associate professor of History, Global Health, African Studies. “They are immersed not just in daily Swahili language study at the State University of Zanzibar, but they’re learning about the culture by being immersed in it.

“The immersive nature of this program allows students to really learn what it’s like to live in another country. They’re not in dormitories with other American students, but fully surrounded by local Swahili culture. With their host families, they’re eating local dishes, learning the rhythms of daily life, and getting to experience the similarities and differences of living on this Indian Ocean island.”

Mokaya Bosire, senior instructor of African Studies, Language Teaching Studies, Linguistics, who runs the Swahili program on campus, said students described the experience as “awesome, life-changing, insightful, and experiential,” and dispelled myths and stereotypes they had about Africa.

Explore Swahili Language and Culture in Zanzibar Study Abroad Program