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About me


A quick introduction

My name is Jared and I grew up in rural Illinois. After high school I went on to study at the University of Wisconsin - Madison where I graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Zoology and Environmental Studies. The time I spent in college inspired me to spread what I learned and volunteer for the Peace Corps. I have been quite privileged with the life I was given, and it is my hope that I can use that privilege to help others who were not presented with the same opportunities that I was.

My Peace Corps assignment is as a Secondary Education Science Teacher in Tanzania. Volunteers are assigned to schools ranging in difficulties equivalent to American high school up to the first two years of college. The goals of the Tanzanian education project are to improve student achievements in Math, Science, and English proficiency. We also aim to improve host country content based, student-centered teaching techniques. Education volunteers are expected to carry the same teaching load as Tanzanian teachers, and work on secondary projects focusing on their students/community.

Profile

Jared Swanson

Personal info

Jared Swanson

UW - Alumni

Peace Corps Volunteer

Aspiring Wildlife Conservationist

Birthday: May 10, 1993
Phone number: +255 675 008 979
E-mail: jrswanson@uwalumni.com

Moving Forward

A glance at my life and goals


Packing Suggestions

  • Dental Floss will make you so many friends in PST

    Pour Over coffee pot/ Hand grinder

  • Hammock

    External Harddrive full of movies/books/tv shows/ music

    Ear plugs

  • Sriracha

Bucket List

  • Work with apex predator restoration

    Summit Kilimanjaro

    Visit Serengeti National Park

    Travel to each continent

    Become fluent in three languages

  • Become a citizen of South Africa

    Learn to surf

    Be proud

    See the seven wonders

    Get a dog

    Learn another culture's culinary techniques

  • Graduate College UW - Madison

    Get a half sleeve, or full sleeve

    Pay off student loans

    Move to a new city with old friends

    Cage Dive in Cape Town

    Join the Peace Corps

Hobbies & Interests

Neature
Wildlife & Environmental Conservation
Cooking
Africa
Tattoos
Books

Posts


Wednesday, July 27, 2016

American's interpretations

I was recently sitting down in the village with a group of fathers when the topic of American's interpretation of Africa came up.

"We are so thankful for you to be here in Lidumbe (the name of my village). You are teaching our children and helping the village so much, and for that we are grateful. You've become one of us already. You speak Swahili, you come and tell stories with us, and you are learning more of our mother tongue every day (Makonde). But you must share our story with your home. Americans think that Tanzania/Africa is a bad place. They think that people often die of hunger here, they think that we are not civilized, that we are without technology. Look around Lidumbe, have you ever seen someone die of hunger? Do you not see cars, motorcycles, and televisions? So when you return please tell your comrades how life really is here so that they too can understand what it means to live here."

It's something that I often think about here, and after our conversation I've begun to think about even more. It is one of the reasons I am incredibly thankful that some of my American family was able to visit me and see what it means to be Tanzanian. The misconceptions about life in Tanzania (or Africa in its entirety as many like to think) are countless. Even if it is only a little, I hope that what I am doing can raise awareness of how beautiful life is here.

I am surrounded by kind, creative, and hard-working people. I am only halfway through my service, but I have started panicking over my impending departure. Leaving a place that I truly feel at home with is not going to be an easy feat. Parting ways with the people who have become my friends and family will be one of the hardest things I'll face, because it isn't certain that I will ever see them again.

No matter what I do during my time here I will never be able to do as much as has been done for me.

Tanzania

A little about my new home

Just in case

Languages

The two official languages of Tanzania are English and (Ki)swahili. However, an estimated 129 other languages are spoken throughout the country.

Size

Tanzania is about 1.36 times as big as Texas, or a little over twice the size of California.

Religion

Religious groups in Tanzania are composed of Christians, Muslims, and Indigenous beliefs. Each of these groups has relatively equal numbers. However, Zanzibar island is vastly represented by Muslims.

Africa's Highest Point

The highest point in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro, is located in Tanzania. Just in case

Serengeti National Park

Tanzania is home to one of Africa's highest recognized parks, the Serengeti National Park. This park covers a vast 15000 km². Africa's big five are widely represented here, and is thought to host the largest lion population.

Contact

Get in touch with me


Adress

During training:

Jared Swanson PCT

Peace Corps Training Site

Office Box 9123

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

During service:

PO Box 440 Newala, Mtwara, TZ

Phone number/ Whatsapp

+255 675 008 979 (Keep the + if you are in the states)

Disclaimer

All opinions expressed here are mine and mine alone, and in no way reflect the positions of the United States Government or the Peace Corp.