This summer, SIS students and faculty have traveled far and wide around the world, applying what they’ve learned in the classroom to the real world. One group of SIS students led by Professor Nina Yamanis recently returned from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where they conducted qualitative research to examine the opportunities and challenges for HIV prevention and treatment programs in reaching adolescent girls and young women in Tanzania. Students worked alongside the research team from Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, the national hospital and school of public health in Tanzania.

Gustavo Marangoni, SIS/MA ’26, was one of the students who traveled to Tanzania as part of the practicum. Marangoni offered a few words of reflection on his experience overseas.

Gustavo’s Experience

The practicum experience in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, was a significant and immersive two-week experience that allowed me to complement my studies in a way that I could not imagine. After weeks of online meetings and preparation, the experience in Tanzania allowed me to meet with the clients in person and have a better understanding of the issue of HIV/AIDS and how it was impacted by the changing climate of international relations. It was life-changing to see a different reality than the one I am used to and see these issues from a different perspective rather than from a theoretical standpoint.

Furthermore, the experience was not only learning about the current state of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services in Dar es Salaam but also creating long-lasting friendships during the trip that enabled me and my other colleagues to work better together and deliver better results. Activities like going to a safari or going to the beach as a group allowed the students and the professors/coordinators to get acquainted with each other in a more amicable way that significantly enhanced the experience for everyone involved.

Before attending American University, I remember that the travel practicum option was a crucial reason for me choosing SIS. I believed that this option would allow me to apply my knowledge in a real scenario while simultaneously learning about different cultures and realities. After the experience, I can confidently say that this was the best decision I could have made. As I said before, moving from a theoretical standpoint to a real and practical scenario where I can apply my knowledge provided me with a real sense of purpose in my career that cannot be found anywhere else. On top of this, I got the chance to meet amazing people from different programs and backgrounds that I would have not met otherwise, which also complemented the overall experience. I 100 percent recommend SIS students to take this opportunity if they have the chance.