Dates
December 27, 2026 – January 10, 2027Subjects
Public Health, Graduate, Environmental HealthDeadlines
Aug. 1: Apply Early & Save $100Sept. 15: Regular Deadline
Program Overview
This program is designed for students and professionals in public health and related areas. With a site in the world heritage center of Zanzibar Island, East Africa, the program offers a 3-credit hour course (grad/undergrad) that offers participants with an opportunity to engage in collaborative learning, service learning, and internships alongside their local counterparts and community members. Students will learn about the organization of health, occupational, and social services, business structure, and natural resource services of Tanzania through educational excursions to cultural, natural, community, and historic sites. Guest speaking events and assessment or observation of community development initiatives are included as part of the learning process.
Note: Studying abroad likely is more physically strenuous than you are used to at home. KIIS study abroad programs typically involve approx. 5-10 miles of walking (approx. 10,000-20,000 steps) or the like in a day, including the possibility of walking, hiking, and climbing stairs in heat and humidity, over elevations at higher altitudes, and over rocky terrain. See Health & Wellness for more information.
Program Director
Dr. William Mkanta, Professor of Health Administration at Western Kentucky University, directs the Tanzania Summer and Zanzibar Winter programs. Through his leadership, over 300 public health students have engaged in global learning and service. He cultivates cross-cultural exchange and educational impact through immersive international experiences for both faculty and students.Dr. William Mkanta
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Courses
All courses are taught in English and are 3 credit hours. You may enroll in 1 course.
This course is designed to offer students with an interest in global health care- systems and intervention, an interactive experience of the rehabilitation process within the Tanzanian healthcare system. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and its affiliates, the students will learn about the structure of the Tanzanian system, access and distribution of human resources, and the narrative of the growing role of the client in healthcare delivery.
This interdisciplinary course explores the global dimensions of environmental and occupational health, focusing on climate change, pollution, workplace safety, and health equity. Through site visits, fieldwork, and cultural immersion opportunities, students will use the context of Zanzibar to examine how different countries address these challenges and develop sustainable solutions.
All KIIS course credit is awarded by Western Kentucky University. Prior to your KIIS program, please speak with your home campus academic advisor and/or study abroad office to determine course equivalencies. Grades will be transferred to your home institution in late January after the completion of the program. Course offerings are subject to change according to enrollment. For more information, visit Transcripts & Grades.
Program Excursions
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Safari Blue/Prison Island
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Jozani Forest
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Rock Café
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Spice Excursion
Required Group Flight
ESTIMATED COST $2,100 – $2,200
The Zanzibar Winter program requires the group flight option where you travel to your program location with other students and faculty. KIIS will purchase a flight ticket on your behalf. The flight cost will be added to your final program fee on November 1.
The Zanzibar program group flight will depart from Dulles, Washington, D.C on December 27. The group flight is scheduled to depart in the morning on December 27, and you will have the option to stay at a pre-arranged hotel near the Dulles airport on the night of December 26. The cost of the hotel is covered by the group flight airline ticket.
Flights to Zanzibar are typically overnight. The program departs the USA on December 27, arriving in Zanzibar on December 28. Return flights to the USA also are typically overnight. The program departs Zanzibar on January 9, arriving in the USA on January 10. Visit Flights and Passports & Visas for more information.