Written by Laura Mashala, former GMPI in Tanzania
Mambo! (Swahili greeting “Hi”) My name is Laura and I’m a Social Anthropology student from Finland. During my bachelor’s degree a few years ago, I decided to leave my comfort zone and step into the unknown – I moved to Tanzania to do an exchange study programme for one semester. I fell in love with the country, culture and its people. So, when I had the chance to return to Tanzania during my master’s studies to do my internship for FutureSense Foundation, I didn’t hesitate for a second.
I worked as a Group Mentor and Project Implementor (GMPI) in Arusha, Tanzania for four months in the Global Leadership Programme. I guided the participants throughout the programme when it came to adapting to Tanzanian culture, lifestyle and language. I helped them to implement long-lasting projects in the local community such as English language and sports workshops, directional murals for disabled learner’s classrooms, and sustainable bottle-cap mural art project. All this while enjoying the beautiful nature of Tanzania, daily fresh fruits and living amongst the most heart-warming and welcoming locals.
Moving to a new country always comes with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Although I had lived in Tanzania before, returning as an intern meant stepping into new responsibilities and a leadership role. Coming from Finland, where we love to follow rules and schedules, Tanzania can initially be a challenging environment. Things rarely go as planned and managing time is not an easy task. But over time, I learned to “go with the flow” and come up with alternative solutions on spot. Also adapting to the local food culture and more modest dress code took some time, but it eventually became my second nature. Thankfully, FutureSense and my country team were very supportive when it came to adapting in the new environment throughout the whole programme.
Tanzanian hospitality made me feel welcome from day one. As a GMPI I had to coordinate with many locals, such as bus drivers, doctors, principals, and our amazing catering team. These interactions were not just professional but also personal — I have learned that in Tanzania, relationships matter. A simple greeting Habari? (What’s the news?) and small talk before getting into business weren’t just polite gestures; they were essential part of the culture and building connections. Beyond logistics, forming genuine connections made my experience truly special. Whether it was learning Swahili phrases from our catering team or joking with the street vendors, these small moments helped my adaptation to Tanzania and made me feel like I was at home. Whenever I returned home my neighbors were there to greet me and their children welcomed me home with hugs.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my role was working closely with local learners during our workshops. Whether it was facilitating English, organising sports activities, or leading art projects, these moments reminded me that communication goes beyond just words. The project participants did not have much Swahili language skills but we were still able to see the excitement in the local learner’s eyes when they succeeded with their team in a game that required teamwork or learned a new rhyme in English.
On the other hand, as a GMPI my skills in leadership and problem-solving were tested daily. Our workshops often faced unexpected challenges— like changes in class sizes where instead of having 60 to facilitate for, we had 120 so two classes combined which disrupted the project participant’s plans. Instead of letting panic take over, I learned to encourage them and find creative solutions together with the local teachers, participants and local learners.
Most importantly, the local community members taught me just as much, if not more, than I taught them. Their resilience, kindness, and joy in the simplest of things left a lasting impression on me.
Looking back, my time with FutureSense in Tanzania pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me resilience, leadership, and the value of community. Even though things didn’t always go as planned, flexibility and a positive mindset made all the difference.
If you’re considering a similar experience either as a project participant or in a leadership position I suggest to learn as much of the local language as possible — even a few words help build connections. Secondly, immerse yourself fully: say yes to new experiences, engage with locals, and approach the culture with humility. Rather than trying to change things to fit your perspective, focus on learning, listening, and respecting local ways of life. And like Tanzanians love to say hakuna matata (don’t worry), you’ll be just fine 😊.
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