The experience of two French women in exploring the wonders of Tanzania

By Emilie Authier

Dar es Salaam. Having come to Tanzania for professional reasons, Pauline and Emilie are two French women who are also taking advantage of this experience in visiting and exploring the wonders of Tanzania.

Though living different experiences, the two friends, who met at the Alliance Française in Dar es Salaam, have discovered many places together, allowing them to observe the similarities and differences in their experiences here.

Pauline, 26, holds a Master's degree in International Law and specialises in International Relations.

She is from the southwest of France and studied between Paris and the United Kingdom. She is currently on a two-year International Volunteer assignment as a Civil Society Officer in Dar es Salaam.

Her work mainly involves managing development projects on various topics, such as gender, health, agriculture, and human rights.

On the other hand, Emilie, 21, is pursuing a Master's degree in International Relations between France and the United States.

She is also from the southwest of France and has studied between France and Norway.

During her gap year, Emilie came to complete one of her internships at The Citizen for three months.

When asked about the reasons that motivated them to come to Tanzania, Emilie and Pauline gave similar answers: “I chose Tanzania because in one of my previous jobs, I worked mainly with West African countries, and I wanted to explore other ones.

I wanted to change my perspective and study the relations between France and Tanzania, which have a different history compared to the countries I previously worked on,” explains Pauline.

Emilie also explains that she came here "to explore issues that I am passionate about, such as environmental and gender issues, through a new lens. I wanted to move away from a Western-centric perspective. I also wanted to discover the journalistic field in an East African country, a region that interests me in terms of my professional aspirations.”

Although each of them is experiencing something different in Dar es Salaam, living in separate neighbourhoods, using different transports, and working in different contexts, they are both working in direct contact with Tanzanian society, allowing them to gain a deep understanding of local issues.

“I meet with Tanzanian NGOs on a daily basis. The idea is to support their actions at the local level and contribute to their development. Every issue is truly unique and specific to a country, so working with the civil society allows me to understand the particular challenges here in Tanzania. Traveling and meeting with stakeholders in the different regions of Tanzania also helps to grasp the unique characteristics of each region. For example, health issues may differ, depending on the area. Learning while being at the heart of these issues is a significant advantage of my work,” explains Pauline.

Emilie also says she interacts with various stakeholders and meets them as part of writing her articles. “I think this is one of my favourite parts of my internship. Being able to interact with locals, experts, professors, or NGOs is so enriching both professionally and personally,” she says.

Although both Pauline and Emilie admitted to having felt a bit unsettled upon arrival due to the traffic, driving style, and the bustling streets, they also share the same opinion about the warm welcome of Tanzanians and the kindness of the people they’ve met.

Over the weeks, they have discovered many places in Dar es Salaam together. “I love sunsets, so I really enjoy going to Slipway to watch it. I also love trying local vegetarian cuisine, like in the Kisutu neighbourhood! I also enjoy finding green spaces that are a bit away from the noise and crowds; For example, Woodberry Café is very peaceful,” says Emilie.

Pauline, for her part, particularly enjoyed the guided tour of downtown Dar es Salaam they took together, as well as the Alliance Française: “Even though I know it’s somewhat biased, I really appreciate the Alliance Française; it’s a place for meeting people, hosting events, learning, and the cultural programme is very interesting,” she says.

Wanting to explore the incredible landscapes around Dar es Salaam alongside their respective professional experiences, Pauline and Emilie took several trips together.

After visiting Zanzibar, from Stone Town to its turquoise waters, the friends went on a two-day hike in the Uluguru Mountains, passing through Morogoro, where they were amazed by the vibrant earth tones, lush nature, and delicious cuisine.

Finally, eager to see Tanzania’s famous wildlife, they spent a weekend at Mikumi National Park, a memorable experience surrounded by all the species they had hoped to view. A magical weekend, marking the end of Emilie’s experience in Tanzania.

Emilie finally draws a very positive conclusion from her time in Tanzania:

“At first, it takes some energy to step out of your comfort zone. It’s a very different experience from those I’ve had so far, but it’s exactly what I was looking for! I learned a lot, it was a very enriching experience on every level. And I truly fell in love with Zanzibar: its people, landscapes, culture, history, and more.”

Pauline, who still has one and a half years left here, is eager to explore the northern part of Tanzania, towards the western and northern borders.