Erasmus Experience in Nairobi, Kenya by Elaine

Why did you choose to go to Nairobi, Kenya?

I was born and raised in Kenya so Nairobi was part of my growing up but I now go to Nairobi for holidays since I am studying in the US.

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

My scholarship is 4 years. $2000 is for one semester( four months)

What is the student lifestyle like in Nairobi?

Students have a lot of things they could do in Nairobi. When not in school, I do a lot of traveling outside Nairobi, visiting game and national parks, and other touristic places like Mombasa. Many students also enjoy Nairobi nightlife which has great restaurants, bars and clubs Other possible activities include sports and art activities.

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

Yes, i would recommend Nairobi to other students. The people in Nairobi and generally from Kenya are very friendly and welcoming. You also get to interact with a very diverse group of people. It may be challenging at first since some infrastructures may not be as well developed but its all manageable.

What is the food like?

The food is good but it is advisable to eat in well known places. Eating on the streets would not be advisable. There are a wide range of options to choose from including vegan/vegetarian dishes and fast food.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Nairobi?

Yes since i looked for accommodation through an agent. But be ware looking for accommodation online could sometimes land you in the hands of conmen so use trusted websites.

How much does it cost to live in Nairobi?

I would approximate about $10-$15 dollars a day which would include public transport and eating out but not inclusive of accomodation

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

Most people in Nairobi speak both English and Swahili so communication in English is not a big problem. Swahili may take sometime to learn but it is easy once you start.

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

Flying to Nairobi from outside Kenya, and use of public means when in Kenya

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

There are a number of good places to hang out: Galleria Mall near Karen, Langata and Westlands which has a good number of cool clubs

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

Rolf's, Java (chain restuarant) Kaldis, Art Caffe, Dormans, Serena, Cafe Deli, Hilton

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Turkana, Maasai Land, Meru, Maasai Mara

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

Students should try as much and look very familiar with where they are and what they are doing otherwise most people will take advantage of you and ask you for more money for most things. Its good to be in company of someone from Nairobi.
They should also feel free to interact with the students from Nairobi. All in all Nairobi is a great place for a great experience