Erasmus Experience in Bujumbura, Burundi by Melchiade

Why did you choose to go to Bujumbura, Burundi?

First of all, Burundi is my birth country, Bujumbura is my beautiful capital city.And currently, i am doing my post-graduate studies at Pukyong National University in South Korea, majoring in Environmental, Marine Sciences and Technology, specializing in Ecological Restoration Engineering. Instead, i will answer the question of why did i choose to go Light University of Bujumbura for my undergraduate degree.
Light University of Bujumbura is an inspiring private University ever in the heart of Bujumbura. Right after i finished my high school, since it's a reputed and renowned university in Bujumbura, my eyes were looking at that high and green mountain on which it's located and inside of me was pushing me to study no where else other than Light University of Bujumbura. The four years that i spent within the four corners of that campus ( Northern part of Mutanga) were the definition of my life and the picture of whom i would be after my retirement. That was a time to be able to balance between academics and social life, which is actually a huge challenge for college students. Light University of Bujumbura does not only focus on teaching skills, or learning ability from the students, but it also does focus on nurturing the spirits of the academic community, so that, at the end of training curricular, the graduates may be able to meet the needs of the nation by innovating with a sense of humanity and connecting themselves with the rest of the world. I realized this phenomena when, right after my graduation, i got a golden opportunity to go pursue my master's program in St Korea in the area of Philosophy and intercultural studies in Kosin University since 2009. Later on i decided to further my studies in the field of Environmental, Marine science and technology, where i am currently doing Ecological Restoration Engineering in Pukyong National University in St.Korea.

How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

During my studies at Light University of Bujumbura, i got a tuition waved, and i could find out how i could survive with living expenses including housing ( at that time i was accommodated by eldest brother), food ( sometimes fed within the house, and other times outside) and transportation ( my home was a little far from the university campus location).The good news is that life in Bujumbura is not that hard to cope up with, things are very cheap. The most decorated dish in a very confortable restaurant in Bujumbura can just cost you around 3 USD and you can eat at your satisfaction. Housing is quite easy to get on a cheap price,near and around the two campuses of the University: Mutanga Nord, Kinindo, the two prestigious parts of the city.

What is the student lifestyle like in Bujumbura?

Bujumbura is a multicultural and metropolitan city where life as a student can find its beautiful dwelling within the relaxing and overlooking shores of lake Tanganyika with magnificent beaches and other beautiful sites which may take your breath away.
Bujumbura is economically alive and offers its residents a multitude of networks connecting them with the rest of whole world with a variety of businesses that can be profited by local and foreign students in Bujumbura.

Would you recommend the city and the University of Bujumbura to other students?

Definitely yes. Bujumbura, since a long time ago, has been receiving foreigners such as European and American businessmen, expats, humanitarian oriented people working in different NGOs, people coming for 6 month vacation, for intern and exchange university students and professors from different of parts of the world.
Therefore, Bujumbura city and Light University of Bujumbura are recommendable places to fit.

What is the food like?

Bujumbura offers a variety of foods. Some are local, others are regional or imported from the west. You can easily find the refreshments, snacks, whatever type of food you may want, beverage and beers from the down town supermarkets cheaply. Impressively, hundreds of shinning lights will spark in your eyes when you walk down the trendy shopping centers with different business specialization.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Bujumbura?

No, not at all. I mentioned above that it's relatively easy to get an accommodation in Bujumbura. Kindly contact me if you get any problem regarding finding an accommodation.

How much does it cost to live in Bujumbura?

Bujumbura is a relaxing place for both local and foreigners where life is always easy, where you find faces full of smiles and instant flash. I swear, life in Bujumbura is not that costly.

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

Light University of Bujumbura offers a range of language courses that would definitely help you cope up with life inside the city of Bujumbura.

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Bujumbura from your city?

It depends upon where the person ( willing to travel to Bujumbura) is located. In my case, from Seoul, St Korea, the cheapest flight that i often take is Ethiopian Airlines connecting me from Seoul to Addis-Ababa and then from Addis Ababa directly to Bujumbura International Airport with short time stops.

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Bujumbura?

Bujumbura is a place which embodies and epitomizes the fun itself. I would recommend you for a night out the remarkable places like the beautiful shores of lake Tanganyika where you will encounter different people from different races and cultures just on one purpose: Having fun. You can also go for karaoke where you would different local artists Steven Sogo and kakabone and night clubs where you find western music wedded with local and African music booming, the most famous night club that i shall recommend would be " The Kiss Club" one of the famous clubs in the heart of Bujumbura.

Karaoke: Cœur d’Afrique,
Tempête with Steven Sogo,
Iwabo w’abantu with kakabone.
Night Clubs: Kiss Club
Toxic,
Get Up,
Aosta,
Calvados,
Havana,
5/5

And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Bujumbura?

Restaurents that i would recommend you:
Oasis,
Restaurant Chinois,
Botanika,
Le Safran,
Isango, Belvédère,
Top Hill,
Chez Vaya,
Khana Kazana,
Tandoor,
le Baobab (African Food),
Chez André,

Coffee shops:
Tropicana net Café,
Aroma ,
Geny’s Café,
Face à Face,
Le Caféier,
Le Cayor,
Cappucino,

Bars:
Chez Gérard, Safari Gate, La Détente, Buja Bar, Sparks, Balnéo, N’kolomboka, Chez Marc.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

- Living Museum of Bujumbura ( since 1977)
- The Dr.Livingstone Stone
-The source of the Nile
-The thermal waters
-The Reserves and lakes ( Burundi to be part of great lakes region)
-Local drummers ( Burundi to be the land of sacred drums)
- and so on

Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Bujumbura in the future?

If They are whites, they have to make sure to take with them lotions for their skins to resist the sunshine as Burundi is a tropical country with temperature ranging between 17 and 28 degrees during all seasons ( dry and rainy).
Second thing for everyone ( all skin colors), make sure they have anti mosquitoes products and preventive tablets for anti-malaria.