Art in Tanzania internship program
Back in November 2015, I made a decision that I now see as life-changing: coming to Tanzania for a three-month internship. Before I arrived, I didn’t know what Tanzania was like or what life would be like there, and I was a bit worried about experiencing cultural shock. However, it turns out that I adapted very well here, as all the people are incredibly welcoming and friendly. I have also met many other volunteers and interns with whom I could share experiences. The only thing that took me some time to get used to is the ‘pole pole’ culture here; there is no rush, no hurry. It is expected to wait for things to happen in Tanzania, which is very different from Hong Kong (where I come from), which is a place which is always busy and fast. I struggled with this, especially while working, because I had to put in more effort to make things happen. But now, I have already grown accustomed to this culture, and while life back in Hong Kong is already hectic, why not slow down a bit and appreciate the differences here? To be ‘Hakuna Matata’ (worries free), it is not only a song sung in the movie Lion King, but it is the mentality here: enjoy your life and keep no worries!
My main work in Art in Tanzania primarily involved marketing to Asian markets, managing tourism documents, and writing trip reports. Due to my work area, I even had the opportunity to visit Zanzibar, participate in various tours, and go on safaris; all these experiences have become the highlights of my time in Tanzania and made my stay here even more incredible.
In Art in Tanzania, I had a lot of freedom in managing my work, which gave me flexibility in my work scope and hours. That’s why sometimes I decided to do my work later that day and visit the nursery and schools. I am glad that I did that, as those visits have opened my eyes and allowed me to learn more about this country, especially in the field of education. It also allowed me to escape the office for a while and get some fresh air.
The living conditions in the volunteer compound are fundamental, with only a dry toilet and bucket of water for daily use and washing. Although it sounds somewhat inconvenient with facilities like these, this volunteer compound is a pilot project aimed at promoting ecological building and living, and sharing environmental messages with the neighbourhood. As a result, I can be more environmentally responsible in this area during my studies. Apart from the volunteers who are working here, some local people are helping to manage the compound, Mama Neema the kitchen lady, John the gardener, and John and George the bartenders, it was nice meeting them all and they were one crucial factor that has made me fall in love in this place.
While weekdays were all about work, weekends were the time that we could relax ourselves from work. Beaches are our favourite option for cooling down from the heat here. We also had special activities, such as football games, movies, day trips, house parties, and birthday parties. I am on my last day here in Tanzania; three months is not a long time, but it has changed my perspective on this lovely country. A lot has happened, and my eyes are wide open. There was so much unknown before I came here, and now I have no regrets about spending my time here. Don’t let uncertainty and worry hold you back; make a move, and you will find that you can achieve more than you thought!
