UF Study Abroad: Culture and Health in Tanzania
Dar es Salaam and Iringa
In Summer 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in Tanzania, exploring the deep connections between culture and health in both urban and rural settings. Our journey began in the highlands of Iringa, where we shadowed physicians and healthcare professionals at Tosamaganga Regional Referral Hospital. There, we observed the challenges and triumphs of healthcare delivery in a rural context, gaining insight into the structure of Tanzania's medical system and the resilience of its patients and providers.
We then traveled to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s bustling coastal capital, where we spent time at the Ocean Road Cancer Institute, one of East Africa’s leading cancer treatment centers. This experience offered a powerful look into cancer care accessibility, public health outreach, and the human stories behind treatment in a rapidly growing urban setting.
Throughout the program, we also immersed ourselves in Tanzanian culture — from learning about traditional healing practices and local customs to participating in community life and traveling across the country’s breathtaking landscapes. This experience not only broadened my perspective on global health systems but deepened my understanding of the cultural values that shape health behaviors, beliefs, and outcomes.
Tanzania's beauty, hospitality, and strength left a lasting impression, and this journey continues to inspire my commitment to culturally informed, compassionate healthcare.
Hospital Experience
During my time in Iringa and Dar es Salaam, I observed healthcare delivery through a medical anthropology lens—shadowing doctors, taking field notes, and learning how culture shapes health systems.
At Tosamaganga District Hospital in Iringa, I witnessed rural healthcare providers delivering care with limited resources, navigating challenges with resilience and compassion. In Dar es Salaam, I shadowed at the Ocean Road Cancer Institute, where I saw how cancer care is shaped by access, stigma, and late diagnoses.
Field note-taking helped me move beyond surface observations, capturing the social and cultural dynamics at play—from patient-provider interactions to broader questions of health equity. These experiences taught me that effective global health work must center listening, cultural humility, and a deep understanding of the local context.
Our study abroad group on our last day at Ocean Road Cancer Center in Dar es Salaam
Map of hospital at Tosamaganga in Iringa
Jotting down observations after Internal Medicine ward rounds
The view outside of Ocean Road.
Learning about ER tactics with limited resources
Befriending Dr. Emmanuel, an intern in general surgery by helping him read charts
The entrance to Block A of ORCI
Cultural Experiences
Although time at the hospital was enriching and fascinating, the other part of our trip that I enjoyed was learning about the cities we were traveling through and connecting with different people. We had so many cultural experiences that ranged from visiting museums, walking through markets, climbing to the top of the highest rock in town, or journaling about our experience. These small things added up, and I felt like I had a new perspective on the world and how to go through life after experiencing the Tanzanian attitude.
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"Pole pole ndiyo mwendo", meaning slowly slowly is the way to go, and "haraka haraka haina baraka", hurry hurry has no blessings.
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I'm learning to take life at a slower pace, and enjoy the journey.
The hostel we stayed at was very near Ganglionga Rock, a beautiful hike to visit the top of a nearby hill to look at the town during sunset. We made sure to bring our headlamps for the way down.
Near the center of Iringa there is a Maasai Market, where many crafts are sold. We befriended Moshi, a Maasai woman, who owns a stall and she taught us Swahili in her home as well as how to cook a traditional meal.
The breakfast at Neema Craft Hostel was amazing, and we enjoyed it and the wonderful staff every day. Neema is a company that hires only disabled or deaf people to work, so we learned a lot of TSL.
This is a photo of the spice market that I took in Zanzibar. Scents, colors, and people whirled through the air as we squeezed between the stalls.
The group outside the Iringa Boma Museum, a nice history of Iringatown and surrounding areas.
We visited Isimila Stone Age Site, which are beautiful natural pillars that are found nowhere else. Cool!
We took a weekend safari trip! It was two days and we saw many animals. Here are some that I painted.
The walk from the center of town back up to our other hostel, Hidden Valley. It was so serene.
Every day we would drive 30 minutes to the hospital, and I loved watching out the window. Many people lounged on bikes, or were talking on the phone.
Cooking a traditional family meal for 18 people at Moshi's house! My job was mashing garlic.
Learned lots of anthropology at the history museum in Dar.
St. Joseph's Cathedral in Dar
Visiting Mbudya Island
Dinner at Moshi's
Church in Zanzibar
Religions of Zanzibar photo
Down a street! Beautiful architecture.
Making friends with a spice businessman in the market,