Ethiopia
ኢትዮጵያ
This Booklet Contains
Visa Information Ethiopia AIESEC in Ethiopia What we provide In case of emergency The Culture Calendar / Holidays Security What to pack Currency Contacts Transportation Climate Activities to do in Ethiopia
Dear AIESEC Ethiopia Intern, First of all, we would like to congratulate you on successfully getting this internship. You will soon be arriving in our Historic Land. We are very honored to have you choosing to embark on your life-changing experience with us, we hope that you will continuously be enchanted by the kaleidoscopic colors, contrast, cuisine and cultures that are present here. May this internship provide you with opportunities to discover your potential and may it be as enriching for you as it is for us. Together we can achieve the vision of “Peace and Fulfillment of Humankind’s Potential” and be the positive change that you want to see in yourself ! Yours sincerely AIESEC Ethiopia
ኢትዮጵያ Ethiopia, officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea to the north and northeast, Djibouti and Somalia to the east, Sudan and South Sudan to the west, and Kenya to the south. With over 93,000,000 inhabitants Ethiopia is the most populous landlocked country in the world, and the second- most populated nation on the African continent. It occupies a total area of 1,100,000 square kilometers (420,000 sq. mi), and its capital and largest city is Addis Ababa Ethiopia has rich cultural heritage and is one of the best-kept secrets in the world. Being one of the oldest countries in the world, Ethiopia’s great geographic diversity encompasses a land of rivers and deserts, mountains and lowlands. Today it is Africa’s second-most populous nation and home to 80 ethnic groups who speak 84 languages.
AIESEC is the world`s largest youth run organization and was established in 1948 after the World War ΙΙ. AIESEC’s vision is the “ Peace and Fulfillment of Human kind potential.” We are present in127 countries and territories and with over 90,000 members . We provide a platform for youth leadership development. AIESEC offers young people the opportunity to be global citizen, to change the world by being problem-solver as local citizen and get experience and skills that matter today.
AIESEC in Ethiopia is one of the East African entities and founded in 2008 by cooperation between AIESEC Italy and KPMG Italy, with the support of GTZ and various AIESEC Alumni from AIESEC International Network in Ethiopia. We began official operations in Ethiopia in 2011.
Local Committees and Expansions • • • • • •
LC Addis Ababa University LC EiABC LC Exp School of Commerce LC Unity ( Helico, Admas , Unity University) LC Hawassa University LC Mekele University
Ethiopia is a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic country Ethiopia has a diverse mix of ethnic and linguistic backgrounds. It is a country with more than 80 different ethnic groups each with its own language, culture, custom and tradition. Religion is a major influence in Ethiopian life. Nearly half the population belongs to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church but there is also large Muslim population. Others adhere to an ancient form of Judaism. The Feast of the Epiphany ("Timkat") is the largest festival of the year.
FOODS
Injera; a spongy unleavened bread made from teff grain, is the staple of every Ethiopian. All food is eaten with the hands, and pieces of injera are ripped into bite-sized pieces and used to dip and grab stews (wat ) made of vegetables such as carrots and cabbage, spinach, potatoes, and lentils. The most common spice is “berberey”, which has a red pepper base. Meat, specifically beef, chicken, and lamb, is eaten with injera on special occasions. Beef is sometimes eaten raw or slightly cooked in a dish called kitfo. Traditionally, this is a staple diet.
COFFEE CEREMONY
The coffee ceremony is a common ritual. The server starts a fire and roasts green coffee beans while burning frankincense. Once roasted, the coffee beans are ground with a mortar and pestle, and the powder is placed in a traditional black pot called a “jebena”. Water is then added. The jebena is removed from the fire, and coffee is served.
LANGUAGE
Ethiopia has many indigenous languages (84 according to the Ethnologue, 77 according to the 1994 census), most of them Afro-Asiatic (Semitic, Cushitic, Omotic), plus some that are Nilo-Saharan. The official language of Ethiopia is Amharic, a Semitic language which is spoken by about 27 million people (2.7 million expatriate). Amharic is written with the “Ge'ez” script, which derives its name from the ancient Semitic “Ge'ez” language. The second largest language in Ethiopia is the Oromo language, a Cushitic language spoken by about 30% of the population. The third largest language in Ethiopia is the Tigrinya language, related to Amharic but mostly spoken in northern Ethiopia in the state of Tigray. English is a working language as well as the most widely spoken among the youth and is the medium of instruction in secondary schools and universities.
Calendar
Like the Coptic calendar, the Ethiopic calendar has twelve months of exactly 30 days each plus five or six pagome days, which comprise a thirteenth month (all of which is a public holiday). The Ethiopian months begin on the same days as those of the Coptic calendar, but their names are in Ge'ez. The sixth epagomenal day is added every four years without exception on August 29 of the Julian calendar, six months before the Julian leap day. Thus the first day of the Ethiopian year, 1 Mäskäräm, for years between 1901 and 2099 (inclusive), is usually September 11 (Gregorian). It, however, falls on September 12 in years before the Gregorian leap year. The current year according to the Ethiopian calendar is 2007, which began on September 11, 2014 AD of the Gregorian calendar.
Holidays Date English name
January 7 Orthodox Christmas Day January 19 Feast of Epiphany
March 2 Adwa Victory Day
Local name Genna or Lidet Timket
Ye'adowa Bä'al
April 10 Orthodox Good Friday
Siqlet (Crucifixion)
April 12 Easter
Fasika
April 13 Easter Monday (public holiday) May 1 International Workers' Day May 5 Patriots' Day
Arbegnoch Qen
May 28 National Day; Derg Downfall Day July 17 Eid – al - Fitr
September 12 Ethiopian New Year
Inqut'at'ash
September 23 Eid al - Adha September 28 Finding of the True Cross December 24 The Prophet’s Birthday
Meskel
Currency Exchange
Updated on September 12, 2015, Click here to see the current currency exchange rate. http://www.combanketh.et/More/CurrencyRate.aspx
Updated information : http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Ethiopia
Transportation There are three common types of transportation in Addis Ababa.
MINI-BUS, which costs about a minimum of 1.5 birr($0.072) and a maximum of 7 birr($0.34) and also work from 6 am to 10 pm HIGER-BUS, commonly known us "higer", which costs a minimum of 1 birr($0.05) and a maximum of 5 birr($0.24) and also work from 6 am to 9 pm CONTRACT - TAXI, It roughly costs minimum of 30 birr($1.44) and a maximum of 400 birr($19.17) and works 24 hrs • •
Of the three modes of transportation, the most comfortable and the fastest one is the contracttaxi but it is also the most expensive. Of the three modes of transportation, the one that is recommended based on comfort, cost and speed is the mini-bus.
Climate The climate in Ethiopia varies tremendously depending on elevation. Before you come to Ethiopia, it's a good idea to check the average temperatures of the region you plan to spend time in. You can go from 60 95 Fahrenheit (15 C to 35 C) in a matter of hours when you travel in Ethiopia, so bring layers! Scroll down to find temperature charts, average sunlight hours and rainfall for: Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa and Mekele. In the highland areas of central, eastern and western Ethiopia, it gets cool very quickly at night. Frosty mornings are common so you'll want to pack a jacket. In the far south, far west and far east of the country, average daily temperatures reach 85 Fahrenheit (30 C) and over. The closer you get to the borders of Ethiopia's neighbors the hotter it gets because the elevation tends to be much lower. This is the "hot" zone, known locally as kolla.
Activities to do in Ethiopia
One of the most fascinating things about Ethiopia is that we have a very ancient culture. Our language, Amharic, is one of the oldest written languages in the world. Add on the fact that Ethiopia has tourist attractions like feeding hyenas, the city known as the 2nd Jerusalem, African Safaris, and even a real world Camelot, you have quite a country & culture to experience. And also Ethiopia is one of the cheapest places to travel in Africa. Best Areas to Explore? • Addis Ababa • The Northern circuit; Axum, Gondar, & Lalibela, Semene Mountains • The Southern Circuit: Awasa, Omo Valley, Rift Valley Lakes • The East: Harar & Somaliland (Somalia) Addis Ababa is home to Merkato which is one of the largest markets in Africa and the largest open air market on the continent. Traveling around the country is very cheap, if you’re going over long distances we would recommend that you fly. You can buy two round-trip tickets to three different cities which can cost you only $210, the roads are atrocious between cities so it is best to fly since the prices are so cheap. • The only thing that Ethiopia does not have is good Internet access, after the war with Eritrea their access to the coast was cut off along with its Internet access. The only place to find good Internet access is a large hotel chains and Internet Centers and Cafes. You will love Ethiopia because _______? Ethiopian culture resembles no other and being such an ancient civilization it’s extremely interesting and fascinating to get to know. Supposedly, our history descends directly King Solomon. It is extremely cheap, the people are friendly, open to new cultures and people, and the women are beautiful.
አዲስ አበባ Addis Ababa Addis Ababa is known as the capital of Africa due to it hosting the headquarters of the African Union, of which all but 1 country in Africa is a part of. If you need a visa for any country in Eastern Africa, or any country in Africa for that matter, you should come here. It is home to the largest market in Africa, has gorgeous churches, cathedrals, and mosques to see, and incredible nightlife (there is salsa in Addis Ababa!). You can also find the museum that houses the oldest humanoid in the world, Lucy. Addis Ababa is one of most favorite places to live while living overseas, it has a perfect combination of safety, great people, and cheap living. AIESEC in Ethiopia , Have weekly hangouts every Thursday starting from Evening 5:30 Local Time.
Axum (Aksum) Axum happens to be one of the oldest cities in Africa and home of the ancient Aksumite Empire. There are ruins around the entire city and you can find some of the best relics and artifacts in the center of the city. Axum also is the supposed location of the Ark of the covenant. The city has so much history Bahar Dar Ethiopia’s 3rd largest city gives you access to Lake Tana which feeds the Nile where you can see some of the countries oldest monasteries. One thing you should see is the Blue Nile Falls which is very scenic.
Feeding Hyenas in Harar One of the most popular tourist attractions in Ethiopia, most people would be absolutely mortified to do this. At two different locations in the city you are able to feed the Hyenas every single night. The city of Harar is also extremely interested being the 4th most holy city for Muslims; great museums, food, but not much nightlife. Lalibela is a must see for the attractions in Ethiopia. A city designed and built to be the 2nd Jerusalem, many Ethiopians from the city still claim that fact. It is home to an extremely impressive array of churches that are carved out of stone including the famous St. Georges Cathedral you see on the left. There is also a variety of monasteries in the region that you can visit. The Omo Valley is a very interesting cultural experience as they are one of the lower parts of the world that haven’t been influenced by the western world. Ethiopia is the only place you can access Somaliland (Somalia), the real-life Camelot can be found in Gondar, the second Jerusalem in Lalibela and the history of a powerful empire in the city Axum.
Visa Information
Visa Information
EPs who come to Ethiopia require visas. You may also obtain a visa on arrival. For tourist visas, the fees are as follows: USD 20 (one month, singleentry); USD 30 (three months, multiple-entry); USD 40 (six months, multipleentry). Only visitors of Ethiopian origin are able to apply for the six month tourist visa. Work visas are also obtainable, but are probably best organized in advance. Note that entry into Ethiopia is only allowed from Addis Ababa International Airport, unless the Government has granted prior permission for another point of entry, and a visa has been pre-organized . A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter Ethiopia, if arriving within six days of leaving or transiting through an infected area. NOTE: It is highly recommended that your passport has at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.
Countries that are eligible for visa on arrival Argentina ,Germany ,Mexico, Sweden, Australia, Greece ,The Netherlands , Switzerland , Austria , Ireland, New Zealand , Thailand, Belgium , Israel , Norway , United Kingdom , Brazil , Italy , Poland , United States , Canada , China , Japan , Portugal , Denmark Republic of Korea , Russia Federation , Finland , Kuwait , South Africa , France , Luxembourg , Spain
What we Provide Organizing cultural events and tours
Practical and cultural orientation Exchange of cultures Cultural outings City guidance
Security Ethiopia is one of the most safest country, However , It is advisable to be with Local AIESECers while you are moving or Visiting and also keep your phone with you in all times and save contacts Numbers of your EP Buddy , Project manager ,Reception Teams or EB members. You must have Insurance to guarantee that you will most definitely have a pleasant stay and experience.. Ambulance Fire Police
992 993 991
What to Pack
If your Internship is in summer , its rainy season so warm cloths are recommended Formal outfits for work, depending on your project Plug socket: a round two pin ( 220 V) Towels Your personal laptop Items that represent your country’s culture Bed sheets
Contacts MCVP IGCDP Kweku Boatin
MCVP iGCDP
kweku.boatin@aiesec.net
+251929380498 +233249292589
LCVP iGCDP Contacts
EiABC Sofonias Solomon
LCVP iGCDP
sofoniassolomon1@gmail.com
+251912351680
AAU Anteneh Tesfaye
LCVP iGCDP
ant.goite@gmail.com
+251912419794
Unity Milliyon Teshome
LCVP IGCDP
milliyonteshome50@gmail.com
+251921337211
Hawassa Shewit Wores
LCVP iGCDP
shewit.wores@aiesec.net
+251920024797
emnet.endihnew@aiesec.net
+251913206216
School of Commerce Emnet Endihnew
LCVP IGCDP
AIESEC in Ethiopia EiABC l Administrative Block - International Relations Office Phone/Fax: +251.11.276.7605
AIESEC in Ethiopia
AIESEC Ethiopia
www.aiesec.org/ethiopia
Welcome aboard
Thank you For Choosing AIESEC Ethiopia