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MAJOR FAQ-TANZANIA

ABOUT TANZANIA INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (IN GENERAL)

How long has IFRE been working in Tanzania ? Whom do you work with? Where are you located? What are IFRE's programs?

IFRE has been hosting interns in Tanzania since 2006. We are currently offer a variety of internship service projects. IFRE partners with many local NGO's, orphanages and community projects to offer meaningful placements for our interns in Tanzania

IFRE has an established office in Moshi that provides easy access to interns to each part of the city. We facilitate orientations and Language & Culture Immersion programs in the Moshi office. Internship projects are located in Arusha and Moshi.

APPLYING FOR THE TANZANIA INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

How can I apply? What happens when I apply? Do you guarantee placement? How long does it take to receive confirmation?

Please read IFRE's 4-step application process:

• There are two options for applying to intern in our Tanzania programs. You can apply onl http://www.ifrevolunteers.org/apply-now.php) or you can simply download an application form, fill it out and mail it into IFRE's offices. Participants are required to submit their application with a $349 application fee plus the program fee for the number of weeks you choose. However to simply start the placement process, all that is needed upfront is a $200 deposit which will be deducted from the final invoice. This non-refundable deposit from you is required to validate and initiate the application process.

• Once IFRE receives your application, we immediately forward it to country coordinator for processing. The in-country coordinator reviews the application carefully to determine the most optimal project for you while you intern in Tanzania . Decisions pertaining to room and board are made at this time - depending on the location of the project. The vast majority of participants stay in fully immersed in-home stays.

• IFRE receives the details of the participants' placements from the in-country coordinator.

• The information is then passed on to the prospective participants along with a final invoice. Final payment is due six weeks prior to departure and, in expedited cases, as soon as possible. The placement details contain local contact information to be used when applying for a visa and/or to get in touch with the local staff and host family.

Preparation for your internship vacation in Tanzania should include reading about travel to Tanzania , immunization, acquiring a travel visa and booking airfare for your internship journey to Tanzania . If you face any problems, IFRE's Program Manager is always available for any assistance.

IMPORTANT: Once participants purchase airline tickets, we request flight information be forwarded to IFRE's U.S. office by fax or by email. Participants' flight information will then be forwarded to the in-country coordinator in Tanzania , who will then arrange an airport pick-up

AIRPORT AND ARRIVAL INFORMATION

Who will meet me at the airport? What should I do if I get delayed or miss my flight? When should I arrive?

Kilimanjaro International Airport is the arrival point for all Tanzania internship projects regardless of final destination, so please book flights accordingly. Our in-country staff will meet you and transport you to your respective accommodation or project.

We ask that you fly with all your important documents, including your internship placement, passport, visa and vaccination booklet. Please have them accessible in case you are asked to produce them. Our interns join our program with a tourist visa. Interns do not need a long term or working visa.

Interns coming to Tanzania are advised to arrive one day before their program start date. The program fee includes expenses beginning of the first day of the internship project (Usually first or third Monday) to the last day of the program. If a intern arrives before the first day of placement and/or stays beyond the last day, expenses are the responsibility of the intern (usually $30 per day for room/food in hostel).

If some sort of delay occurs, including flight delays or missed flights, contact our Tanzania office as soon as possible. If travelers are unable to reach the local staff, they should proceed to the contact hotel using a Taxi service. The contact hotel address is available in personal placement documents and pre-departure booklet. Once you connect with a local staff member, you will be transferred to your accommodation, the office or your project.

VISAS

IFRE requires that you obtain a tourist visa prior to departure for Tanzania . You can obtain a tourist visa from the Tanzania consulate or embassy in your home country.

Note: Interns are required to apply for a residence permit upon arrival Tanzania .

As per new government rule of Tanzania, all interns are required to get class "C" resident permit to intern legally in Tanzania. If you do not get this permit, you may get arrested.

You can get the permit upon arrival in Tanzania at the Immigration Bureau in Arusha. The cost of resident permit for three months is $120. The fee is intern's responsibility.

In order to apply for class "C" permit, you need to submit:

  • 6 passport size photos
  • Curriculum Vitae (aka resume)
  • Copy of current and valid passport
  • Application forms (available in Tanzania )
  • Additional documents (we will help you identify and prepare them)

Our in-country coordinator will explain this process once you arrive in Tanzania . He/she will help you to get a class C permit.

HEALTH AND SAFETY IN TANZANIA
Being informed is your first defense against disease and safety risks. We recommend visiting some of the following websites for health and safety information:

WHO website for international travelers ( http://www.who.int )

IMMUNIZATIONS/VACCINATIONS

• We use the Center for Disease Control traveler's health recommendations (www.cdc.gov.) Discuss your travel plans and personal health with a health-care provider to determine which vaccines you will need.

Recommended

The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to East Africa including Tanzania

  • Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling.
  • Hepatitis B , especially if you might be exposed to blood or body fluids (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11-12 years who did not receive the series as infants.
  • Malaria: your risk of malaria may be high in all countries in East Africa , including cities. See your health care provider for a prescription anti-malarial drug. For details concerning risk and preventive medications, see Malaria Information for Travelers to East Africa .
  • Meningococcal (meningitis) if you plan to visit countries in this region that experience epidemics of meningococcal disease during December through June, (see see Map 4-9 on the Meningococcal Disease page ).
  • Rabies , pre-exposure vaccination, if you might have extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas, such as might occur during camping, hiking, or bicycling, or engaging in certain occupational activities.
  • Typhoid vaccine. Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors
  • As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles , and a one-time dose of polio vaccine for adults.

Required Vaccinations

MONEY MATTERS

Tanzanian currency is called the shilling (TZS). Exchange rates can be calculated here http://www.xe.com/ucc/full/ . Please do not arrive in Tanzania with no shillings. Exchanges are simple

In Tanzania , people of US or European decent are considered rich no matter your true circumstances. This will make you a target for pickpockets and scam artists (fly catchers.) You are required to be smart about your money matters when you are traveling through Tanzania . Please be advised to pay attention to the suggestions.

  • Avoid external money pouches, dangling backpacks and camera bags and limit jewelry.
  • Don't flash money or your wallet.
  • Travel in pairs or groups to the ATM.
  • Be aware of the exchange rates and price of items.
  • Take requests for “donations” lightly.
  • Store money in a secure, well-hidden place or safe.
  • Carry money in different pockets and places

You may require $10-20 per day for your personal expenses like water or soft drinks, taxi and shopping. The best way is to carry a debit card, as ATM machines are available in Arusha/Moshi (in airport and major hotels) where you can withdrawal local currency. An alternative way is traveler's checks, which are secure and can be cashed in local banks, during business hours. Ensure you notify your home bank of your intent to travel to Africa as your account could be flagged for concern, and handling international bank issues while abroad can be frustrating.

FIELD SUPPORT AND SUPERVISION

How does IFRE help me when I am in the field? How can I maintain communication? Do you visit me?

Once your internship program begins, our local staff members stay in constant touch with you. When interns stay far from our local office, our staff will visit every 2-4 weeks (if possible) and interns are always welcome at the local Arusha office. We recommend that interns stop by the office once a week, if they are staying/working in the local area, to give feedback on their home stay and project. Many minor issues can avoid escalation with a just little extra communication.

Your project will have local staff members in addition to our in-country coordination staff and project directors function as interns' immediate supervisors; however, our local staff can be contacted as well for any matter. If your project is located a substantial distance from our offices, then our local staff communicates by either email and/or phone. The Tanzania in-country coordinator maintains a mobile phone to be available at any time for questions and concerns.

We are available for you at the local office via email and phone for your entire trip. It's our job to make sure that you are happy, safe and healthy.

COMMUNICATION

How do I communicate with my family? IFRE staff? Is there internet?

We suggest that interns bring their mobile phone. Upon arrival in Tanzania , the SIM card can be swapped and the phone can be used with local service. Tanzania SIM cards can be placed in any internationally capable cell phone and provides service in Tanzania . Confirm your phone has this capability prior to departure. This is the perfect way to stay in touch with your family and the local IFRE office. Internet Café's are also available in most areas of Arusha/moshi..

CLIMATE OF TANZANIA

Our projects are located in Moshi and Arusha.

Take advantage of the Web, which offers current weather and forecasts for your destination:

Yahoo Weather forecast (  http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/NPXX0002.html (www.weather.yahoo.com)

Weather channel ( www.weather.com

Weather Underground ( http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/44454.html ( www.wunderground.com )

Tanzania is basically a land without winter. Temperatures in Northern Tanzania range from 60-75 °F during the day and 40-50°F at night from May to October. From November to March, the daytime temperature varies from 70-90 °F and 60-75 °F at night. Please note that weather is highly unpredictable.

Because of its extremely varied topography, the weather in Tanzania can vary between regions, but generally it has two dry seasons split by two rainy seasons as described below:

December - March This is when the north of the country is usually at its driest with hot, clear days and pleasantly warm nights. On average, the daytime temperatures rise to around 90°F and then fall to a balmy 65°F at night. The coastal region can experience more tropical temperatures with the influence of the “kaskazi” monsoon wind that can push temperatures up to a humid 95°F or higher. Whilst the north of the country is predominantly dry during this time, the southern areas of Selous and Ruaha usually experience their green season with intermittent rainfall.

April - May As the end of March beckons, daytime temperatures and humidity begin to increase significantly with the onset of the long rains, although the effects in the northern highlands are normally tempered on account of the altitude. The long rains can sometimes cause temporary flooding as a result, but are usually short and heavy, with rainfall typically lasting for an hour or two before the sun shines again.

June - October This is the coolest time of the year although daytime temperatures remain high at about 80°F, contrasting significantly with the nights when the temperature can fall to 58°F or cooler in the highlands. As September and October approach, so it starts to warm up again prior to the short rains in November. These months are generally dry although some rain may be encountered.

November This month brings a rise in temperatures as the hot and dry season approaches, but this is also the time of the short rains, which can last into early December. Storms are generally short, sharp and very sporadic with travel arrangements rarely affected.

ITEMS TO BRING

Most daily use items are available in Tanzania at reasonable prices. However, we suggest interns pack the following items:

• Camera
• Mobile phone (you can use mobile phone for local calls after changing its SIM card)
• Sleeping bag
• Mosquito and insect repellent
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen, SPF
• Working gloves (if you are joining conservation project)
• Map of Tanzania
• Toiletries
• Tanzania reference books
• Toiletries
• First aid kit
• Flashlight
• Electricity adapter/converter
• Sunglasses
• Footwear (for work and travel)
• Towel

What gift should I bring for my host family and/or project?

It is a common courtesy to bring a small gift for your hosts. You are not required to do so, but if you choose to bring a gift it can simple. We suggest a box of chocolates, a t-shirt with a hometown/country logo, pictures of your family and local post cards.

If you want to bring gifts for your project and if you are working for an orphanage or a school, please bring pencils, pens and paper, art supplies like markers and construction paper pads, as well as games for the children to enjoy. Remember that every child will need these items so you may wish to bring enough for a number of children.

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