Youth Development & Education Internships: Intern abroad in Arusha, Tanzania

Internship details

Education internships in Tanzania provide hands-on teaching experience in schools, helping to educate students from 1-13 years old to reach their full potential. Interns assist with implementing a thorough curriculum across a wide range of subjects, with support from experienced local teachers.

This is an in-country internship, with accommodation and meals included. You can explore remote Education & Youth Development internships, if you are looking for an internship program that you can undertake from home.

As a Youth Development & Education intern in Arusha, Tanzania, you’ll gain classroom teaching experience under the guidance of an experienced local teacher. You’ll assist with lessons spanning a wide range of subjects, including English, math, science, geography, sports, IT, art and civics. Schools tend to have a roll of around 400 students, with class sizes typically ranging from 20-40 students. These internship placements are incredibly vibrant and require high energy, positivity, and an outgoing personality. Come prepared to learn a lot, share a lot, and have an incredible amount of fun in the process.

Interns are able to lead lessons with assistance from your supervisor, but your role will mostly be to support the local teacher. No doubt, you’ll quickly observe differences between your placement in Tanzania and other classrooms you may have experienced. Education internships in Tanzania provide a culturally immersive experience, where your learning opportunity will invite you to develop cultural intelligence, as well as classroom experience. Interns will be encouraged to learn from the teaching techniques of local teachers, while also exchanging ideas and sharing perspectives in a sensitive manner.

Teaching interns help to prepare lessons and receive sound guidance when acting as the lead teacher for any particular activities or lessons. You’ll also have scope to assist with educational outreach work at a children’s center. Outreach activities can be discussed and arranged with the local coordinator, when you’re in-country. This internship is conducted in English, and most local students will have at least basic understanding of the English language. Interns are ideally placed to help to build valuable English language skills, which can include speaking, listening, reading, writing, song, and dance! Your supervisor is on hand to assist with any communication difficulties.

Interns should be positive, enthusiastic, motivated, proactive, patient and passionate. These are essential attributes for any career in child development and education, but even more important when you’re engaging in a diverse culture and community. Children require a lot of support and stimulation to learn, so interns are encouraged to come prepared with fresh ideas for teaching, games, physical education, and social interaction.

Keep in mind that schools will have limited resources. Do not depend on being able to utilize any particular resources in order to carry out the learning activities you want to facilitate. Rather, plan for tasks that do not require extra resources, or ensure that you bring any resources with you, which you might need (for example, pens, pencils, sporting equipment, etc). This is a fun and lively internship where you’ll gain practical skills and understanding in engaging young learners. Interns should keep in mind that it’s common to encounter different beliefs and attitudes toward education and youth development. Your in-country coordinator will be available for support, reflection and discussion throughout.

In all cases, interns should expect that the first week of your experience will focus on settling in and gaining some introductory knowledge, as you will not “hit the ground running”. Rather, you should start with learning about the placement to gain an understanding of what you can build upon, develop, learn, and contribute. Ensure that you ask questions and provide feedback during the introductory period, so that your supervisor understands how you’re progressing. This will help them to better understand important details, such as how quickly you learn, what you find challenging, what you find interesting, etc.

Understand and expect that individual internship experiences vary, as the specific placement that you’re assigned will depend on review of your resume and your current level of studies and experience. Therefore, if you’re at a more introductory level, you should reasonably expect a more introductory internship. Likewise, if you’re interning for a shorter duration, you will have a different experience from someone who is interning for a longer duration. Placement preferences are considered but always subject to availability.

What are the career benefits of interning abroad as a Youth Development & Education Intern?