University of Wisconsin–Madison

Tanzania: Courtney Weberpal

Program: UW Health, Education, & Tanzanian Culture, Summer

Courtney’s Major: Neurobiology, Psychology

a woman in a green shirt smiles from a safari vehicle. An elephant is visible in the background.
A herd of elephants was right next to our safari vehicle in Tarangire National Park.

What is your advice for someone considering your program?

If you are considering doing this program, DO IT! I could not recommend this program enough and Susan (the program leader) has perfectly curated this trip to include a wide variety of experiences. You will see a lot of new things and you will learn a lot, but you will definitely not regret it.

My advice for the program would be do some research on Tanzania beforehand and make sure to learn some of the basic Swahili words!

What did you learn about yourself or the world because of your experience?

I learned what is means to be culturally competent and a true global citizen. I came back with a changed outlook on life that allows me to see life through a new lens.

How will your experience benefit you in the future? How might it affect your future career or studies?

During my program I learned more about the realm of public health and how being “healthy” can mean different things for people in different places. After visiting local hospitals and learning more about Tanzania’s healthcare, I hope to use what I saw and learned as I pursue a career in healthcare.