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Kurudi nyumbani – Returning home

Apr 23 2025

It hardly seems possible, but our semester in Tanzania has come to an end. After coming back to Dar es Salaam from Zanzibar our group had a little over 24 hours to rest, repack, visit host families one last time, and get in some last-minute souvenir shopping. The group also agreed that we should go for a special group dinner at “The Alcove,” a lovely roof top Indian restaurant in downtown Dar where we first went when the students arrived in country all the way back in January.

With most students en route home and a few continuing on to other destinations, goodbyes were filled with gratitude and reflection. This Tanzania SST 2025 group embraced their time in Tanzania with openness, courage, and gratitude forming meaningful connections and learning deeply from the people and places around them.

At The Alcove in Dar es Salaam

One last AZAM ice cream

One last AZAM ice cream

Our last group picture just before saying goodbye to Jordan

Our time in Tanzania is ending but our journey continues as we learn how these past months will shape our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world going forward. We know that an SST semester abroad won’t tie up neatly—the experiences will stay with us, challenging assumptions and expanding perspective. We are extremely grateful for the hospitality shown throughout our time in Tanzania, we met so many people who graciously helped us along the way. And we are thankful for our students and the way they showed up—with curiosity, flexibility, and a willingness to learn.

Saying goodbye to Caleb in Chicago

We made it back to GC!

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