Food, Nutrition and Health in Tanzania

Summer 2008 closed

July 1 - July 20, 2008

Sponsored by the College of Natural Science and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

Participants in this program will have the opportunity to learn about the food, nutrition and health in children in the beautiful country of Tanzania, located just south of the equator on the east coast of Africa between Kenya and Mozambique.

Students will spend several days at Sokoine University of Agriculture in Morogoro where they will become familiar with Tanzania’s history and government, learn about the demographics of the people, gain an understanding of the health care system and the major health issues facing the country, and evaluate the major available food sources. Through this process, they will begin to understand and appreciate how these factors impact the nutrition and health of the children in Tanzania.

Students will then participate in field trips and discussions with Tanzania government officials, village representatives, health care providers and others to gain a first-hand understanding of the complexities associated with good nutrition and health in Tanzania.

Included will be visits to:

The Tanzania Food and Nutrition Center, Tanzania Food and Drug Authority, Tanzania Commission for AIDS, and the Tanzania National Institute for Medical Research in Dar es Salaam to learn about current government programs focused on food, nutrition and health
Hospitals and mother/child clinics in Morogoro to observe how child nutrition and health are monitored
Rural villages to learn about issues of household food security with very limited, if any, outside income, and to obtain information on nutritional status of families
Food markets to observe the types of food available to the people
Orphanages to observe some of the consequences of HIV/AIDS
National parks to observe the plentiful wildlife including elephants, lions, giraffes, wildebeests, and zebras.

Students will also have the opportunity to interact with local Tanzania citizens while exploring the city of Morogoro and surrounding area and visit local Peace Corps Volunteers to learn about their experiences.

What can I study?

Students will be required to enroll for three (3) credits in the following course.

HNF 494

Practicum

3 cr.

What are the requirements?

Students must be of at least sophomore status and in good academic standing, with a grade point of at least 3.0 at the time of application. Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.

Students should preferably have had at least one course in nutrition, and will be asked to submit a short essay focused on the reasons they wish to participate in this program.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

Students will reside in hotels.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Professor Dale Romsos
106 E Trout FSHN
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition
Phone: (517) 355-8474, ext 104
E-mail dromsos@msu.edu

Professor Maurice Bennink
106 F Trout FSHN
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition
Phone: (517) 355-8474, ext 103
E-mail mbennink@msu.edu

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States. If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date. If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of twelve weeks is usually required for processing. During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required. Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices. They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/passports.html

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose. The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early. It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.

For more information about visas visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/visas.html

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

For further health information and recommendations visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/health.html

How much does it cost?

The program fee is $2,220 and includes the following:

application fee ($100)
deposit ($200)
pre-departure orientation
accommodations
some meals
accident and sickness insurance
field trips

Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

MSU tuition and fees*
airfare
additional meals
books and supplies
passport application fee ($100)
visa application fees (if applicable)
pre-departure doctor visits
pre-departure immunizations (if applicable)
personal spending money

Students may request a cost sheet which estimates these additional expenses not included in the program fee by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee. Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses. (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

*Check http://www.ctlr.msu.edu/studrec/ for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU; non-MSU students pay the Lifelong Education rate, regardless of state of residence.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid.

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing. This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university. If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

For further information about financial aid visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/finaid/index.html

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA scholarships. Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need. Requirements are listed in the scholarship application. The deadline to apply for these scholarships is March 1st for summer programs.

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/scholarships/index.html

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form by visiting http://studyabroad.msu.edu/applications/index.html

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by March 1st for summer programs. We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to this deadline.

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year. Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required. Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program. Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter. You can also read the handbook online at http://studyabroad.msu.edu/abcs/index.html.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.