Ethiopiaኢትዮጵያ

Ethiopia AIESEC in Ethiopia The Culture Calendar / Holidays Currency Transportation Climate Activities to do in Ethiopia

This Booklet Contains

Visa Information What we provide In case of emergency Security What to pack Contacts

Dear AIESEC Ethiopia Intern,

ኢትዮጵያEthiopia, officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia,is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea to thenorth and northeast, Djibouti and Somalia to the east, Sudan and SouthSudan to the west, and Kenya to the south. With over 93,000,000inhabitants Ethiopia is the most populous landlocked countries in theworld, and the second- most populated nation on the African continent. Itoccupies a total area of 1,100,000 square kilometers (420,000 sq. mi), andits capital and largest city is Addis Ababa

Ethiopia has rich cultural heritage is one ofthe best-kept secrets in the world. One of theoldest countries in the world, Ethiopia’s greatgeographic diversity encompasses a land ofrivers and deserts, mountains and lowlands.Today it is Africa’s second-most populousnation and home to 80 ethnic groups whospeak 84 languages.

AIESEC is the world`s largest youth run organization. Established in 1948 after the World War ΙΙ. AIESEC Come up with a vision “ Peace and Fulfillment of Human kind potential” . Nowadays we

are present over 124 countries and territories and with over 90,000 members . Focused on providing 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 skill 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 and 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

AIESEC National Conferences – July & February

Every year AIESEC in Ethiopia organizes 2 national conferences through out

the year towards building leadership skills and empowering the young leaders

with cross cutting skills

1.National Planning Conference – July

2.Fired Up Conference – February

Career Fair :The event is aimed to give companies in Ethiopia an avenue to

explain to the students the job opportunities available in their firms and

criteria used for selection during recruitment. And also for university students

to understand what companies are actually looking for to help them shift

from activity of getting degrees to accomplishment of the necessary

qualifications that their future employers are looking for.

Ethiopia Youth to Business Forum is a unique event

powered by AIESEC in Ethiopia, which connects

young leaders and businesses around relevant

topics in the world to generate new ideas and

thoughts about the future

Innovation Café This is an event that entails

bringing together of entrepreneurs in the same

room to discuss recent trends in Business and

Commerce.

Business Breakfast This is an event where potential

leaders get the platform to interact with CEOs and

top managers of companies

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.

Date English name Local name

January 7 Orthodox Christmas Day Genna or Lidet

January 10 Feast of the Sacrifice 'Id al-Adha

January 19 Feast of Epiphany Timket

March 2 Adwa Day Ye'adowa Bä'al

April 11 Birthday of The Prophet Muhammad Mawlid an-Nabi

April 21 Orthodox Good Friday Siqlet (Crucifixion)

April 23 Easter Fasika

April 24 Easter Monday (public holiday)

May 1 International Workers' Day

May 5 Patriots' Day Arbegnoch Qen

May 28 National Day

August 18 Transfiguration of Jesus Buhe

September 11 Ethiopian New Year Inqut'at'ash

September 27 Finding of the True Cross Meskel

October 24 End of the holy month of Ramadan 'Id al-Fitr

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 2006, which began on September

11, 2013 AD of the Gregorian calendar.

Updated on September 5, 2014, Click here to see the current currency exchange rate.http://www.combanketh.et/More/CurrencyRate.aspx

Currency Exchange

Updated information : http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Ethiopia

There are three common types of transportation in Addis Ababa.

MINI-BUS , which costs about a minimum of 1.5 birr(0.1$)and a maximum of 7 birr(0.36$) and also work from 6 amto 10 pm

HIGER-BUS, commonly known us "higer", which costs aminimum of 1 birr(0.1$) and a maximum of 5 birr(0.26$)and also work from 6 am to 9 pm

CONTRACT- TAXI, It roughly costs minimum of 30 birr(1.6$)and a maximum of 400 birr(21$) and works 24 hrs

• Of the three modes of transportation, the mostcomfortable and the fastest one is the contract-taxibut it is also the most expensive.

• Of the three modes of transportation, the one thatis recommended based on comfort, cost and speedis the mini-bus.

Transportation

Climate

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.

Addis Ababa is home to Merkato which is one of the largestmarkets in Africa and the largest open air market on the continent.Traveling around the country is very cheap, if you’re going over longdistances we would recommend that you fly. You can buy two round-trip tickets to three different cities which can cost you only $210, theroads are atrocious between cities so it is best to fly since the pricesare 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 offalong with its Internet access. The only place to find good Internetaccess 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 አበባAddis 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.

Addis Ababa

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 thatyou 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.

Argentina ,Germany ,Mexico, Sweden, Australia, Greece ,TheNetherlands , Switzerland , Austria , Ireland, New Zealand , Thailand,Belgium , Israel , Norway , United Kingdom , Brazil , Italy , Poland ,United States , Canada , China , Japan , Portugal , Denmark Republicof Korea , Russia Federation , Finland , Kuwait , South Africa , France ,Luxembourg , Spain

Countries that are eligible for visa on arrival

EPs who come to Ethiopia require visas. You may also obtain a visa onarrival. For tourist visas, the fees are as follows: USD 20 (one month,single-entry); USD 30 (three months, multiple-entry); USD 40 (sixmonths, multiple-entry). Only visitors of Ethiopian origin are able toapply for the six month tourist visa. Work visas are also obtainable, butare probably best organized in advance. Note that entry into Ethiopia isonly allowed from Addis Ababa International Airport, unless theGovernment has granted prior permission for another point of entry,and a visa has been pre-organized . A yellow fever vaccinationcertificate is required to enter Ethiopia, if arriving within six days ofleaving or transiting through an infected area. NOTE: It is highlyrecommended that your passport has at least six months validityremaining after your intended date of departure from your traveldestination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to thosestated by travel agents and official sources.

What we Provide Organizing cultural events and tours Practical and cultural orientation Exchange of cultures Cultural outings City guidance

Ethiopia is one of the most safest country, However , It isadvisable to be with Local AIESECers while you are moving orVisiting and also keep your phone with you in all times andsave contacts Numbers of your EP Buddy , Project manager,Reception Teams or EB members. You must have Insurance toguarantee that you will most definitely have a pleasant stayand experience..

AmbulanceFirePolice

992993991

Security

What to Pack

If your Internship is in summer , its rainy season sowarm 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

EiABC l Administrative Block - International Relations Office Phone/Fax: +251.11.276.7605

AIESEC in Ethiopia

Contact

www.aiesec.org/ethiopia

LCVP iGCDP Contacts

Olaide Ogungbesan MCVP iGIP/BD MCVP BD/IGIP

Bezawit Shewarega LCVP iGCDP bezawit.shewarega@aiesec.net +251923577808

HermelaFeredegne LCVP iGCDP hermela.feredegne@aiesec.net +251912375908

Henok Negusse VP X & BD henok.negusse@aiesec.net +251922871973

Tsedey hailegeorgis LCVP ICX hailegiorgistsedi@gmail.com +251923106464

Tsedeniya Zerihun LCVP iGCDP tsedeniya.zerihun@aiesec.net +251913011500

Edom Tesgaye SUVP iGCDP edom.tsegaye@aiesec.net +251912670461

EiABC

AAU

Unity

Hawassa

Mekele

School of Commerce

MCVP Contacts

AIESEC Ethiopia AIESEC in Ethiopia

Nebiyu Sultan MCVP iGCDP nebiyu.sultan@aiesec.net +251912616686

Thank you For Choosing AIESEC Ethiopia

Welcome aboard