Ethiopia "20/20 Hindsight": 2008-2009 Evaluations
"20/20 Hindsight": Tips from former Ethiopia IFPers
What
things do you wish you had brought with you?
What things could you just as well have left at
home?
What restaurants would
you especially recommend? Why?
What did you find
especially interesting or fun to visit?
Any other advice to
share with future students?
What things do you wish you had brought with you?
- Contact lens solution
- Rain boots
- Raincoat/windbreaker
- Umbrella
- Swim Suit
- Winter clothes
- Cheap gifts for kids
What things do you wish you had left behind?
- Toiletries
- Things you can buy
there
- Shorts
- Summer clothes
How was the work ambiance? What are the
particular dress codes, working language(s), and office hours at the
organization?
“Office ambience was great. I enjoyed the company of co-workers at the
office. There was no dress code, no
particular working language. Office hours were flexible, but usually from
“Work ambiance was
relaxed, no particular dress code. English was spoken but
some Amharic was useful. Working hours varied a bit—but 9-5 or 9-4
was common.”
“There
was no particular dress code needed. A
pair of business clothes might be useful in case there is a meeting with a
head outside of the office. But even these occasions are not “formal.” Office
hours are usually Monday through Friday 9-5 (with the freedom to come and go
per projects, outside engagements, etc). The work ambiance is one that might
require some getting used to. The overall ambiance is great and friendly.
However, there are times where roadblocks are set up preventing/slowing down
completion of projects (lack of communication or reluctance are two types of
such roadblocks).”
What restaurants would you especially recommend? Why?
·
Indian, Chinese and Arabic food in Addis are great! National restaurants
for Ethiopian food and music.
·
Limetree: (off
“For safe
salads, wireless internet, nice desserts.”
“Great
food at reasonable prices, free wi-fi (very rare in the city), and you can eat
their salads without fear.”
·
Fasika, 2000, Habisha, or any National Restaurant will provide great
traditional Ethiopian food (just don’t eat any raw veggies) and also great live
music and traditional dancing during the dinner hours.
·
They are all delicious. But be aware of vegetables. If not washed well, they
cause stomach problems.
What did you find especially interesting or fun to visit?
·
·
Anything outside of Addis.
·
The museum in the University
·
Entoto
·
Churches
·
The pool at the hotel/s.
·
The main
thing I would say is to get out of the city and see the smaller towns and rural
life. Addis is great, but as the only major city, you can’t get the whole
picture of
·
The Ethnological museum in
·
The countryside
· Small village markets
Was there anything in
particular which helped you to get oriented, to get around, or to get through
daily life?
·
Having both a
Lonely Planet and Bradt tour book
gave us great information on the city and country as a whole. The two books are
very different with various focuses, but both were very helpful.
·
Learning local language
helped a lot. Making local friends.
What advice would you give to students who are planning to travel to
other locations during the Program?
·
Try not to fly—traveling by road, although hard, is worth it.
Also, if possible travel with an Ethiopian driver or friend, you will learn
more about the country and also save money all along the way.
·
Be prepared
to pay non-resident fees for flying with Ethiopian Airlines! Tour agencies are
great, but when traveling alone they are really expensive as you can’t share
the prices (but cost worthy if there is a huge group going). Exact prices are
hard to find and are different than those listed in the guidebooks. Call
instead and most places will speak English and help.
·
Traveling in
·
Learn the local language. Don’t be afraid of local people, but at the
same time don’t underestimate them.
How much money would you recommend that future students bring to cover
living expenses? How much for travel?
·
More than you think…Addis is not particularly cheap, nor is traveling.
·
This all
depends on how you want to “live” while in
·
I brought
$1,750 which covered: all phone costs, food, gifts/souvenirs, and travel (to
include 5 day safari/nature trip I took by myself). If one just wanted the
basics, $1,200 would have covered all expenses (both living and other costs)
·
For food and traveling around $500/month. Living in
Any other advice to share with future students?
- Be as friendly as
possible towards Ethiopian people. Nevertheless, don’t let them to exploit
your friendship.
- Be prepared for
slow internet and being dependent on internet cafes. It is really cheap to
use the internet, but the network has its problems (email sites sometimes
won’t open, certain sites need proxies, other sites won’t open at all,
downloading at times can take a while, etc). In other words, Skype is a no
go (as it stands now).