This was the first time I’ve ever had the opportunity to work with NSCC International. Along with myself, there were two other students, Matt Redmond and Don Geraghty, who joined me in travelling to the VETA community college in Mikumi, Tanzania. We were also joined by another group, who was working on the Solar Water project and students from the Oral History project. Our main roles consisted of helping improve the WiFi access, as well as providing internet access to their existing workstations within the campus classrooms. We worked with other IT students, such as Ruben, Benny, Gilbert, Rocko, Bruno and their teachers, Selemani and Chris. Alongside this project, we also were able to attend a safari tour, whichwas an awe-inspiring experience, seeing all sorts of different animal species.

I think that one of the most important learning experiences I had was reflecting on the differences between Tanzania and Canada, especially when touring the campus, as they did not have the same resources we are provided in NSCC and Canada. This showed how privileged and lucky we are to live in a country like Canada and attend schools like NSCC. 

Throughout this project, I’ve gained and expanded upon many important skillsets as an IT professional. These include working with and configuring switches, creating and wiring ethernet cables throughout different buildings, (creating ethernet cables was a big weakness of mine before this trip), and helping create detailed documentation about the new network. 

It was an incredible experience working in this beautiful country along with the students and faculty of VETA, and I am grateful that I was able to participate in it.

Rhys Melnick
Information Technology
NSCC IT Campus