Madagascar: Traditional Medicine and Healthcare Systems Summer 2020 - SIT Study Abroad
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Madagascar: Traditional Medicine and Healthcare Systems Summer 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS ALUMNI CONTACTS ............................................. 12
PACKING LIST ................................................................. 13
COUNTRY OVERVIEW ............................................... 3
GENERAL INFORMATION ..................................... 3
CLIMATE AND GEOGRAPHY ................................ 3
LOCAL CUSTOMS ................................................... 4
DIET ............................................................................ 4
SAFETY, SECURITY, AND HEALTH .................... 4
HOMESTAYS ............................................................ 4
TRANSPORTATION ................................................. 5
COMMUNICATION ................................................... 5
PHONES AND E-MAIL ............................................. 6
MAILINGS .................................................................. 7
MONEY ....................................................................... 7
VISITORS AND FREE TIME ................................... 9
PACKING GUIDELINES ............................................ 10
LUGGAGE ................................................................ 10
CLOTHING GUIDELINES ...................................... 10
EQUIPMENT ............................................................ 10
COMPUTERS AND OTHER ELECTRONICS .... 10
GIFTS ........................................................................ 11
WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT OBTAIN IN
COUNTRY ................................................................ 11
SIT Study Abroad - 2
Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 4/13/2020
want to alert you to the risks and inconveniences
COUNTRY OVERVIEW inherent in urban living and international travel so
that you are as well informed as possible. This
advice is in no way meant to put you off or scare
GENERAL INFORMATION you but rather to put you in a flexible state of mind
Madagascar is a world apart, like no other place on which will allow you to better prepare for and adapt
Earth. It has a unique fauna and flora with to a new environment and a very different way of
approximately 80% of the animals and 85% of the life. In spite of the challenges, the human warmth,
plants being endemic. Malagasy people are quite generosity, and genuine style of the Malagasy
heterogeneous. They have been categorized into 18 people will more than make up for any
official ethnic groups. Although each ethnic group inconveniences that you encounter.
occupies a specific region, there has been a great
deal of mixing and migration between regions. All Madagascar has three official languages, Malagasy
groups speak dialects of the same language, Ofisialy, based primarily on the Merina dialect of the
Malagasy, which is of Austronesian origin. Each Central Highlands, French and English. French is
dialect is distinct, however, and the various dialects widely spoken in the areas around Antananarivo
are not always mutually comprehensible. Based in and in the larger provincial towns, but is not nearly
the capital city of Antananarivo, (Tana, as it is as prevalent in the rural areas. English and French
usually called) our program also allows us some will be the primary languages of instruction for our
time in provincial areas, and thus puts you in a good program.
position to look at the varied facets of Malagasy Knowing even a little bit of Malagasy will help you
society and culture from different angles. It is an immensely, as people tend to light up with
excellent place to spend a summer abroad. excitement when they hear foreigners trying to
speak their language. The program thus includes a
basic introduction to everyday spoken Malagasy to
help students better communicate during the
homestay, village stays, excursions to rural areas,
and smaller urban centers. The Malagasy language
is unlike any other language you have likely studied.
But we are confident that you will find even basic
Malagasy language skills extremely helpful for
making inroads into the culture, as well as making
friends and contacts.
Madagascar is a parliamentary democracy. The
High Constitutional Court (HCC) of Madagascar
proclaimed Andry Nirina Rajoelina as president-
Tana is a sprawling, labyrinthine city of more than elect on January 8, 2019. This was after two rounds
three million people, though at times it has the of presidential elections on November 7, 2018 and
feeling of being smaller. It is an interesting mix of December 19, 2018 with the president-elect facing
19th century Malagasy and more recent European Marc Ravalomanana (an ex-president) in the
influences, which are reflected in the layout, second round of voting. The President-elect, Andry
architecture, economy, attitude and atmosphere of Nirina Rajoelina, was sworn-in as President of
the city. It is a beautiful city built on hills and in Madagascar on January 19, 2019 for a five-year
mandate.
valleys, with distinct neighborhoods, bustling open-
air markets, intriguing paths and endless staircases
that wind their way among the hills.
CLIMATE AND GEOGRAPHY
Tana is still a tough city at times, as the current Madagascar lies approximately 250 miles off the
economic situation makes life difficult for most east coast of Africa, and is south of the equator.
people. Unemployment, poverty, begging, and The weather in Madagascar varies from cold (as low
crime, especially petty theft, are increasingly as 40°F) to hot, depending on location and season.
common problems. The local program staff and I
In May, June, July, August, and September it can be Please consider local diet seriously when selecting
quite cool in the central highlands, especially at your program of choice. Your admissions counselor
night. Rainfall varies greatly; the average is a great resource in better understanding the local
temperature and rainfall can also fluctuate from one diet.
place to another due to differences in elevation and
temperatures. Average Antananarivo maximum The staple diet of the Malagasy is rice. In Malagasy
there are two words to describe food: vary (rice) and
temperature is around 76ºF and the minimum
laoka (anything that is served with rice). Meat is
temperature is usually around 45ºF. The maximum important culturally and is eaten whenever
and minimum temperatures for the Morondava area, financially possible. Lentils and beans are also
where the program undertakes its final excursion frequent accompaniments. It is customary for
are around 80˚F and 50˚F. Note that the Malagasy Malagasy families to eat meals together.
winter runs from May through July, which is when If you are vegetarian and it is at all possible for you
the program is in session. to change your diet to eat even a little meat while
you are here, your acceptance into Malagasy
LOCAL CUSTOMS society will be made easier.
Madagascar is a patriarchal society. The farther you SAFETY, SECURITY, AND
travel from large cities, the more this becomes
apparent. Though not as extreme as in some HEALTH
cultures, gender roles are noticeable. Men are given Maintaining good health is critical to having a
more respect and more opportunities and are seen successful semester. To help you do that, we have
as the breadwinners and authority figures in families. provided Health Guidelines and Requirements for
Women are generally in charge of the daily your program.
household operations such as meal preparation,
cleaning, shopping and childrearing. Gender roles It is very important that you read the Health
play out differently in each family. Honor and respect Guidelines and Requirements document as early as
are recurring themes in Malagasy culture. possible and examine it with your medical provider.
The guidelines include recommended
immunizations; a suggested calendar for
Antananarivo, Madagascar: AVERAGE immunizations and other prophylaxes; and valuable
HIGH/LOW TEMPERATURES (°F) information on how to avoid exposure to common
MAY JUN JUL AUG carriers of disease.
72/50 68/45 65/40 70/45 Students are thoroughly briefed on safety
considerations during in-country orientation and are
updated throughout the semester if and when
circumstances change. Security-wise, you are
DIET expected to keep your things put away so it is best
SIT Study Abroad provides experiential learning to have luggage locks used at all times, or consider
opportunities where students become embedded in bringing a small portable travel safe to store money
their host community. As such, we strive to and valuables. For information regarding safety and
accommodate serious food allergies where possible security, emergency communications, SIT policies,
but simply cannot ensure that all dietary restrictions accident and illness insurance, and general program
or non-medically mandated diets can be tips, please read the Safety, Security, and Health
accommodated. document and Student Handbook.
Students are encouraged to participate in the local HOMESTAYS
food culture as a central aspect of daily life. By
For the summer 2020 program, there will be no
trying to replicate your diet at home you may miss
homestays on this program. Madagascar has an
out on an important part of your host culture. Due to
extremely low prevalence of Covid-19, and this
the unique living and learning community central to
precaution is being taken primarily to protect
all SIT programs, we cannot separate food and
homestay families from students who may
eating communally from the program experience.
SIT Study Abroad - 4
Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 4/13/2020
unwittingly spread the disease due to international hostel. It is from this base that all activities will be
travel. carried out.
During the program's evaluation week we will be
staying in a hotel on the beach at Morondava and
another hotel in Antsirabe. Students will spend the
last night of the program duration in a hotel in
Antananarivo.
TRANSPORTATION
Aside from walking, public buses and taxis are the
most common forms of transportation in
Antananarivo and most other towns in Madagascar.
Due to potentially hazardous road conditions,
bicycles are not recommended. Taxi-brousse or
bush taxis are the buses that serve as the main form
of transportation from one city or town to another.
Air Madagascar also provides links between the
ACCOMMODATIONS major cities and towns. Otherwise, it should be
noted that SIT’s Conditions of Participation stipulate
Students will stay together in hostels during the term that students are not to operate any motor vehicle,
at both urban and rural areas. You will spend 17 nor ride motorcycles, even as a passenger. The
nights in a hostel at Anosy Avaratra, a suburb of program rents a bus that transports students from
Antananarivo. You will not have your own room, but hostel to the university for classes and back after
you will have your own bed. It is from this base that classes, as well as to excursions. The program
all activities - lectures, excursions and site visits – travels by plane on our last excursion to Morondava
will be undertaken. and back.
The program's village stay, which lasts twelve days, COMMUNICATION
will be in Andasibe, a town located about 100 miles While you may want to be in regular communication
center-east of the capital city. Students will stay in with friends and family from home during the term
shared rooms with individual beds together in a abroad, please bear in mind that different time
SIT Study Abroad - 5
Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 4/13/2020
zones, unreliable phone lines, and changing communication needs. Therefore, local cellular
program activities can complicate communication. capacity on each student’s phone is required for the
duration of the program. Students are required to
It’s important to be clear with family and friends maintain a minimum amount of phone credits at all
about your availability during the term. Many times for emergency calls. Full compliance with this
students recommend making an appointment to call policy is expected.
home or to receive a call. You should also consider
the impact of constant communication with friends E-mail is available in most urban centers and is
and family at home on your cultural immersion. probably the best, and certainly the cheapest, way
to keep in touch with family and friends in the United
States. Email is quite affordable to students in
PHONES AND E-MAIL
places such as Tana where it is available. (Note that
As part of SIT’s commitment to student safety and there are still many parts of the country where email
security, all students are required to have a working is not available at all.) Wifi is available at many
smart phone capable of making and receiving both cafes and restaurants with the purchase of a meal
local and international calls throughout the duration
or drink. Please bear in mind that even in Tana you
of the program. For that purpose students are
will not have round-the-clock access to email.
required to either (a) bring an open, unlocked smart
During the excursions outside of Tana it is unlikely
phone from the U.S. to the program that is able to
that you will have regular email access, if email is
accept a local SIM card, and is compatible with and
even available. In Tana where broadband Internet
usable at the program location, (b) work with the
service exists in cyber cafés, it is generally possible
academic director within the first week upon arrival in
to use services such as Skype. Some students have
country to purchase a smart phone locally, or (c)
bring a dual SIM smart phone. During orientation, suggested that you might wish to bring your own
with assistance from SIT Study Abroad staff, headset.
students will learn how to use their cellphone, how to Postal services are relatively good, though their
purchase and use an appropriate local SIM card, and reliability can be patchy. Letters usually take
how to acquire minutes for calls and texting. SIT between ten days and three weeks to arrive, but the
Study Abroad requires that each student have a local exceptions never arrive at all. Please be wary of
having valuable packages sent to you - tell friends
and family never to send credit or debit cards or
cash through regular mail - as there is no guarantee
that they will arrive. Books and other relatively
inexpensive items are usually fine, but more
expensive luxury items are sometimes not received.
DHL and FedEx services are available.
It's possible to buy a decent phone for about US$50.
The cheapest phones cost around US$30, and you
can resell them when you leave. They also make
excellent gifts when you’re leaving. Most urban
areas in the country have network coverage, but
most rural areas do not. Calling the U.S. is still
expensive, but receiving calls (from anywhere in the
number for communication with the homestay family world) is free. There is no subscription fee or
and program staff. monthly charge - you simply purchase a phone and
While we recognize that alternative communication a local SIM card and buy minutes as you go. Cell
methods can be free or cheaper than cell service i.e. phones are a less expensive and more reliable
Facetime, Skype, WhatsApp, etc. those programs option than landlines in most parts of Madagascar.
alone do not satisfy our need for regular The time difference between Madagascar and the
communication with the local program staff and U.S. is 7-10 hours, depending on the time zone in
partners, nor do they meet our emergency the U.S.
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Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 4/13/2020
Due to possible internet connectivity issues, it is
strongly suggested that you access your required If it is necessary for someone to send you mail then
reading materials and download/save/bring them posted letters and packages should be sent to the
PRIOR to your arrival in Madagascar. following address:
The SIT program center provides internet access Student Name
during posted hours. c/o SIT
Villa Manongarivo
Lot IIK 21FP
Soavimasoandro
Antananarivo (101)
MADAGASCAR
MONEY
In addition to tuition, SIT Study Abroad program
fees cover room and board throughout the program.
When room and/or board are not taken with the
group, students will be given a stipend to cover
related expenses. SIT will cover daily commuting
costs, if any, and excursions that are part of the
normal program itinerary.
The local currency is the Malagasy Ariary. Credit
cards are not widely accepted, but they can be used
in certain instances. Please note that due to the
limited extent that credit cards are accepted, VISA is
the most widely recognized credit card in
Madagascar. Other cards such as American
Express, MasterCard, and Discover are not
accepted. US-based ATM and debit cards (VISA)
will usually work to withdraw local currency, but
MAILINGS there are few ATMs outside of Tana. There is a
Unlike receiving a package here in the US, receiving small service charge for each transaction, just as
a package at your program site is usually there would be in the US if you made a withdrawal
expensive and problematic. Customs agents must from an ATM not affiliated with your bank. An ATM
inspect all packages and you, as the recipient, are card from your bank in the US might be the safest
responsible for duty and storage fees. In addition, and easiest way to handle large amounts of money.
there are cases of items being lost in the mail or While it is possible for foreigners to open a bank
taking so long to reach the recipient that the account in Madagascar, it is not common for
recipient is nearly back in the US by the time the students to do so.
items are received. For these reasons, sending
packages should be done only for emergency Cash in US Dollars or Euros are easier to exchange
situations. Additionally, sending valuables is highly and will receive a higher exchange rate, but cash is
discouraged. not insured against loss or theft. Note: Dollar bills
printed before the year 2013 (i.e. with dates from the
For this program, DHL, FedEx or UPS services are 1990s up to 2012) are not accepted and cannot be
available in country. Despite cheaper prices, exchanged for local currency. If you decide to come
reliance on the US Postal Service is not advised due with cash, you must come with bills with dates from
to delays and unreliability. When given the option, 2013 and beyond. Larger bills ($100 and $50 bills)
it’s always a good idea to send packages certified get the best exchange rate, the smallest bills
and with a tracking number that allows the sender to accepted for currency exchange are $10.
track the package.
SIT Study Abroad - 7
Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 4/13/2020
DO NOT BRING Traveler’s Checks
Following are suggestions for spending money
You may wish to bring a lockbox to store your, during the program, including estimates for
credit/debit cards, and cash. textbooks, medical expenses, personal spending,
and gifts. Figures are based on recent student
In case of emergency, there is a Western Union
evaluations, though individual spending habits vary
office in Tana where you can receive money from
widely and these costs are averages.
home. Students have reported that they have not
experienced any difficulty with funds wired to
A suggested total amount of money to budget
Madagascar through Western Union.
ranges from US$500 - $880. To determine where
Check current exchange rates:
you might fall in this range, please examine your
http://www.oanda.com/currency/converter/
spending habits during a typical semester at your
home school and consider any exceptional
If using a debit and/or credit card, you should
expenditures you may have on the program,
contact your bank and/or credit card companies
including specific personal expenses.
regarding your travel plans. If you don’t inform these
companies that you will be away, they will often
Please budget approximately:
assume the card has been lost or stolen and will put
an immediate hold on the card. You should also Personal spending (from past
check on costs of withdrawal, as these costs vary student suggestions): $500
and can sometimes be very expensive. Renewing
and receiving reissued credit and debit cards while Up-front medical costs: $200
on the program will be an expensive and highly
inconvenient process. Before you leave for your
Bottled Water: $30
program, please check the expiration dates on your
cards to ensure that they will not expire while you
are abroad. It is also very important that you make Typical Internet café usage: $100
photocopies of all your debit/credit card information $500-
and leave them with someone you trust in case your Estimated total:
$830
card(s) is/are lost or stolen.
SIT Study Abroad - 8
Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 4/13/2020
assignments. Free time for pursuing an independent
interest or hobby during the program will be limited.
VISITORS AND FREE TIME Your admissions counselor can advise you about
SIT strongly discourages and will not provide particular interests you may have. For example, if
support for any visitors to students during the you must keep in shape for your next athletic
term, due to the rigorous nature of the program and season, or if you play a musical instrument and want
the disruption that such visits cause in program flow to know whether to bring it, we can help you to
and group dynamics. Students should be sure that understand your schedule and any concerns or
relatives and friends are aware of this policy and limitations that may exist. Please note that you will
that visits are scheduled for dates after the formal not have a long break during the program.
conclusion of the program. Students will not be
Students cannot leave the country while the
excused from program components to attend to
program is in session. Students are expected to be
visitors. See the Attendance and Participation
present for all scheduled program activities.
section of the Student Handbook.
Students may participate in outings with host
Please note that any visitors during the course of families during their free time as long as such
the program must plan their own independent outings do not interfere with other scheduled
accommodations; SIT Study Abroad homestay program activities. Independent travel within
families can accommodate only their assigned Madagascar is possible, but it would be better for
student and, due to cultural and contractual such trips to take place after the end of the program.
understandings with SIT, should not be asked to Note that while the program is in session we must
host students’ guests. know where students are and how to get in touch
with them at all times.
During the program, students follow an intense
schedule of classes and field-based learning
SIT Study Abroad - 9
Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 4/13/2020
PACKING GUIDELINES excursions to the coastal areas, where the program
will often be hiking in warmer climates or spending
time at the beach. For all genders, pants of all styles
LUGGAGE and T-shirts are fine, provided they are not too tight
Please pack lightly and include only necessary and are free from fraying, holes and patches.
items. Try to minimize both the number of bags and Program staff and past students advise you to pack
weight of your bag(s) since you will likely be at least some clothes that are on the "business
acquiring more belongings while abroad. A suitcase casual" side, particularly for Tana and other cities.
or an internal frame backpack is appropriate. When you think about what shoes to bring, again be
practical. Teva-style sandals are quite practical for
If carrying prescription medications, you should many situations, but also make sure to bring at least
carry a letter from your doctor to prevent any one pair of comfortable shoes that are versatile and
concerns at customs or in transit. (Please see the can be dressed up or dressed down. As you will do
“General Health Tips” section in the Safety, some light to moderate hiking, appropriate footwear
Security, and Health pre-departure document.) for hiking is very important. The weather in
Please check the current requirements of the Madagascar varies from cold (as low as 40° F) to
Transportation Security Administration hot, depending on location and season. In June,
(http://www.tsa.gov) as well as those of the airline July, August and early September it can be quite
on which you are flying for domestic and cool in the central highlands, especially at night.
international baggage restrictions. Night temperatures tend to drop at higher
elevations, such as in Tana, Antsirabe and
CLOTHING GUIDELINES Andasibe. Therefore you will need a sweater (a
In general you will find the Malagasy to be more warm one), light coat or jacket, and waterproof
formal in dress than you might be at college, and in rainwear. The clothes that you bring should all be
this country dressing appropriately is taken as a washable and breathable, preferably drip-dry cotton
matter of respect to one's hosts. Your appearance and cotton-blends.
makes a big statement about who you are and what
you're doing in Madagascar, and can really help or EQUIPMENT
hinder your entrance into everyday Malagasy life. A A lightweight sleeping bag can be very useful and is
sloppy appearance will make a bad impression and strongly recommended, as students have used
may even offend your host family and friends. these during rural stays due to the colder weather
conditions. A small backpack will be very handy for
Past students' activities have ranged from hiking shorter excursions and carrying books to class in
and attending weddings to interviewing important the city. Past students have found a small flashlight
government officials in their offices. It is therefore with plenty of extra batteries and a pocketknife to be
advisable to choose clothing that can serve many indispensable. Plastic bags (such as Ziploc) and
purposes, is modest and neat in appearance and small plastic containers (such as Tupperware) are
that travels well. As a foreigner you will stick out very useful
enough, and it's better to be on the safe side rather
than calling attention to yourself further with clothing COMPUTERS AND OTHER
that is considered inappropriate, suggestive or
simply out of the ordinary by local standards.
ELECTRONICS
It is recommended that you bring a laptop computer.
Most women tend to wear long pants such as jeans If you bring a laptop, the computer will be your
during this time of year. Skirts are rare, except in personal property and responsibility. It is
older women. Girls will blend in best in jeans, recommended that you insure your computer or
leggings, linen pants, and athletic pants. It is helpful other valuables for full coverage in the event of loss
to have dress clothes for certain occasions. Shorts or theft. SIT is not responsible for any duty tax you
and tank tops are not advisable in Tana, but are may have to pay when you enter the country, theft,
certainly recommended, especially for the or loss.
SIT Study Abroad - 10
Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 4/13/2020Students have found it helpful to have a USB will discover other ways to thank people. Remember
memory stick and appropriate USB cables for to bring pictures of your friends and family to share.
downloading digital photos to a computer.
Assignments, including the Final Report, must be
typed. While the SIT classroom in Tana is not
equipped with computers, there are numerous
cyber-cafés in most of the larger towns, including
Tana, where it is easy to have relatively inexpensive
computer and printer access.
Internet connections are now reasonably fast due to
the installation of fiber-optic cables in the country
and it is possible to use services such as Skype at
cybercafés in Tana.
Please see the following website for information
about electricity, voltage and electrical adapters.
http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/. For all
electronic equipment, please bear in mind that the
current in Madagascar is 220V and that electrical Gifts are very important in Malagasy culture.
outlets are the same as those found in Europe. Although it's not possible to know to whom you're
Thus, you will need to bring the appropriate going to be giving gifts prior to your arrival in
converters and plug adaptors for any appliances country, it's better to bring more than less. The most
from the United States. Much of your experience in important thing is that the gift comes from the US or
Madagascar will be "unplugged." Many recent anywhere outside of Madagascar, so just about
students brought digital cameras and had good anything goes. Also bear in mind that it’s the
results with them. thought that counts. Bring something that is
representative of you, or the area you call home.
Do not plan to buy photographic accessories or Cassettes, T-shirts, CDs, baseball caps, books,
electronic equipment in country - they are much photos of you and your family, photo books, post
cheaper and more readily available in the United
cards, pens (especially ball points), school supplies,
States. Many students have found that they enjoyed
having an iPod or some sort of mp3 player. Some key rings, toys and other small items make great
have also suggested that a pair of small portable gifts. It would be appreciated if you could bring
speakers would have been useful as a way to listen songs and games to share with your peers. Be wary
to music in a group setting of bringing gifts that will likely awaken an appetite
for consumer goods which are neither affordable nor
readily available. Smaller, more practical gifts that
GIFTS can be shared are more appropriate for your village
As you might imagine, it is best to be prepared with stays.
a gift to offer in gratitude for people’s hospitality and
as a means to share a part of your culture with WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT
them. Try to choose gifts that represent you or the
part of the country and/or community you live in. OBTAIN IN COUNTRY
Think about what your city, state, or local artisans Most manufactured goods (shampoos, cosmetics,
produce. Draw upon your personal interests or sunscreen and hand sanitizer etc.) that you might
hobbies for ideas. Pack a couple of small gifts for need or want are available in Tana, but they are
children, such as small games, bubbles, or a usually imported, which means that prices can be
Frisbee. Even if you are not staying with a homestay very high.
family, chances are that you will engage with
School supplies, such as notebooks, paper, pens,
children in the community. Once you are on the
and pencils are plentiful in Tana, and only slightly
program and learn more about the local culture, you
more expensive than in the US. You can buy any
SIT Study Abroad - 11
Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 4/13/2020new clothing you need once you are in Madagascar,
but you should bring most of what you’ll need with
you, since prices and choices are generally better in
the United States
ALUMNI CONTACTS
If you have further questions, please contact your
admissions counselor and/or ask an alumni contact:
https://studyabroad.sit.edu/admissions-
aid/application-process/contact-a-former-student/.
Don’t miss the Packing List on the next page!
These packing guidelines are based on suggestions
from past students and your academic director.
SIT Study Abroad - 12
Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 4/13/2020PACKING LIST
calcium, vitamin C, insect repellent, and your full
semester supply of malaria prophylaxis
CLOTHING o Sunscreen - generous supply! (20+ for sensitive
o 6-8 pairs of socks, including 1-2 pairs of warm skin)
socks o An adequate supply of any medication used
o 1-2 week’s supply of underwear (cultural note: regularly
you will wash your own underwear by hand) o An extra pair of glasses or contact lenses, if
o 3-4 t-shirts (some students suggest “dry-fit” or worn
quick-drying shirts) o Tampons or sanitary napkins, available in
o 3-4 shirts or blouses, buttoned shirts, polo, Antananarivo (Tampons cost between Ar 10,000
collared, synthetic or other and Ar 15,000 for a pack of 10 and 20)
o 2-4 warm sweaters, light coats, fleeces, hooded o Chewable Pepto-Bismol or similar product
sweatshirts, long-sleeved shirts o Mosquito repellent
o 2 pairs of jeans
o 2-3 pairs of khakis, linen pants, leggings, yoga
pants or long skirts OTHER IMPORTANT ITEMS
o 1-2 pairs of shorts o Driver’s license or another form of identification
o Bathing suit—one piece o Money belt large enough to hold a passport and
o Towel money (to be worn inside your clothes)
o Rain poncho or similar waterproof (not water- o Lightweight sleeping bag (will be needed for field
resistant) garment (that can hold up to heavy trips)
rain) o Sunglasses
o Sturdy walking shoes (a good, well worn-in pair, o Hat or cap for sun protection
especially for the hikes to the rainforest and the o Army knife with bottle opener
Sacred Lake) o Water bottle (with carabineer)
o Teva or Chacos-type sandals (Birkenstocks tend o Portable alarm clock or watch with alarm
to mold in very wet conditions) o Small flashlight (strong beam, light
o 1 pair of shoes appropriate for dressier weight)/headlamp
occasions (some students have also used nice o Miniature combination locks or small key locks
sandals) o Spare batteries for all battery-operated items
o 1 pair of comfortable sweatpants or track pants o Homestay gifts
o Day backpack or shoulder bag o Photos of your family & friends & hometown
o 1 nice dress outfit o European to US power adapter
o Small travel safe or lockbox to hold valuables or
luggage locks
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
o Passport OPTIONAL
o Yellow WHO Card (see the Safety, Security, and o Clif Bars (or other energy bars)
Health document for more information) o Used phone with removable SIM card (it
o 2 photocopies of your passport stored may be possible to use an unlocked phone
separately from your actual passport or purchase a phone in Madagascar)
o Photocopy of visa (if applicable)
o 2 passport photos
HEALTH/TOILETRIES
o First aid kit that includes: pain reliever,
bandages, antibiotic cream, thermometer,
antidiarrheal medicine, anti-gas medicine,
tweezers, moist towelettes, hand sanitizer,
disinfectant, motion sickness medicine,
laxatives, allergy medicines, mall sewing kit,
SIT Study Abroad - 13
Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 4/13/2020You can also read
