Erasmus Experience in Nairobi, Kenya by Yvonne

Why did you choose to go to Nairobi, Kenya?

I am studying Anthropology and African Studies in Germany and learned Swahili for 2 years, that's why I wanted to study for one semester in a Swahili-speaking environment. Also, I was very interested in getting to know anthropological studies from another perspective, learning more Swahili and interacting with Kenyan people.

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

The scholarship supports me financially for 4 months, the exact time of one semester at the University of Nairobi. It is 300. 00 Euros per month - necessary to pay the high rents in Nairobi. For the flights, I got 700. 00 Euros once.

What is the student lifestyle like in Nairobi?

As I am studying in 4th year - last academic year of Bachelors - the students are mostly very busy with looking for jobs and opportunities after their Graduation. The years before, they have been hanging out and partying more often, as they say. Despite the financial support of their parents, most students seem to have some financial problems, that's why I have always been very carefully to ask everyone to do things in the free time for which you have to spend money (in the end it could happen that they expect you to pay for them).

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

If you look for good experience you gain for yourself in a completely different country and a different academic environment, I would recommend to come to Nairobi. But if you're looking for academic studies similar to your study in Europe, I wouldn't recommend you to come to the University of Nairobi. I can't say if in all the other academic fields and at other kenyan Universities it is the same, but for my studies and the studies of my flatmates at the University of Nairobi I can say, that lectures are completely different. Every lecture takes 3 hours - mostly without breaks. Most lecturers dictate what they stated about the topic at home and the students write it down; mostly without questioning or discussing.

The city is okay for studying. You have many opportunities: going out to clubs and bars, cinema, restaurants,... It is a big city with much traffic, many people and noise. Not too far from the city, there are many places and national parks to visit at the weekends, so if you need a time outside the trouble of the city, you can go there to calm down. The climate is perfect - not to warm because of the altitude and of course not too cold.

What is the food like?

The food is very tasty! You can eat in Restaurants which offer Kenyan or even Swahili dishes for around 4. 00 Euros. Grilled goat meat, chicken, rice, chapati (kind of thin bread), sukuma wiki (green cabbage), cabbage, beans, plantain, Ugali (dish of maize flour),...

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Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Nairobi?

Not really. I got to know a girl of my age at expat-blog in the Internet and finally I could rent one of her rooms. It is not a big deal to come to Nairobi, first stay in a hostel and then look for accommodations through the Internet.

How much does it cost to live in Nairobi?

Be careful when you look for accommodations! Many people offer furnished rooms in a 3- or 4-bedroom-appartment for around 50, 000 Kenyan Shillings. Depending on the location, it is way too much to pay for a month. In Westlands (where most rich and white people live) the price could be okay, but if you're living in another location, even 30, 000 Kenyan Shilling could be too much. Even I paid too much rent: around 360. 00 Euros per month in the beginning and after some negotiation around 70. 00 Euros less. Costs for living in Nairobi are almost the same as in Germany.

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

At University and in Nairobi you will always speak English, if you don't show motivation to speak and learn Swahili. My flatmates have had problems to join Swahili courses at the University - I am not sure if you could join a course without paying.

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

a flight?

And inside Nairobi and Kenya I travel by Matatu and bus

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

If you want to go clubbing where Kenyans go, you could go to several clubs inside town. There, you mostly don't have to pay entrance. In Westlands, on the other side, you can go to electronic beats clubs and clubs and bars, where the expat community meets. There, you often have to pay entrance similar to Europe club entrance fees.

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

Sizzelin's Restaurant in town

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

In Nairobi you can see many remaining colonial buildings. There is Nairobi National Museum, which is interesting to visit, the old Railway station built in colonial times, Uhuru park with a freedom and independence monument.

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

Don't feel to insecure because of criminality, assassinations and other cruelties you hear about Kenya and Nairobi. Sure you always have to be careful in the streets and with strangers and should not show openly how much money you have. But to me personally and many other expats living here for a long time nothing ever happened.