My study abroad program is called SIT-Zanzibar Coastal Ecology and Natural Resource Management. Zanizbar is a small archipelago of two main islands off the eastern coast of Tanzania made up of Pemba and Unguja. This program focuses on on-site research and it began on August 24th. It is set up to teach us intensive Kiswahili in the beginning, now we have about four hours per day of Kiswahili class, then we work on field methods and research ethics, and then ongoing lectures on coastal ecology and natural resource management until the last month of the program.
This last month is spent applying the knowledge gained in the first three months to our Independent Study Project, or ISP. We formulate a topic and then are given one month and a stipend to go out on our own, collect data, and create a 20-40 page research paper and present on our findings at the end of the semester in early December. Currently my idea for my ISP is to investigate laws regarding ocean policy, such as fishing regulations and see whether or not those are effective in maintaining a sustainable source of fish for the populations which depend upon them. However I am not certain that this will be my final product.
We have already learned a lot about cetaceans, observed butterflies, visited an endangered amphibian sanctuary, and seen dolphins and tourism economy that threatens and thrives off of them so I am considering that as a possible back up. There is a ways to go before I have a concrete proposal so I will continue to pursue any viable options that interest me in our various outings, lectures, and excursions.