M’zungu intern Eero

Introduction:
Hey, It’s me Eero! I’m a 23-year-old University student from Finland. I’m doing a bachelor’s degree in tourism and event management at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences. Right now I’m doing an internship with Art in Tanzania and generally just enjoying life.

How did you found AIT?

I was looking for open jobs and internship positions on our school’s intranet and found Art in Tanzania there. At first I was a bit hesitant, but decided to just email and ask a few questions. After a bit of emailing back and forth I decided on it: I want to go to Tanzania and here I am now!

What have you been doing so far?

So far I’ve been taking care of tourism related documents. For example keeping safari and tour descriptions up to date and translating them from English to Finnish. I’ve only been here for two weeks and I have ten more to go so we’ll see what else comes up later.

How is everyday life in Tanzania?

People here are very friendly and eager to talk to you which was weird at first, because in Finland that just doesn’t happen. Sometimes I feel like a rock star waving to people from the Bajaji or Piki Piki.

How is working different in Tanzania compare to your home country?

Different, very different. Patience is the key word you have to remember here. Things might not happen on a strict schedule like you’re maybe used to but they will happen eventually.

Just say “Hakuna matata” and wait it out. That isn’t just a song from Disney’s Lion King but actually a phrase I hear quite often here. Roughly translated it means “No worries” which is exactly the mentality you need here.

Would you recommend internship in AIT?

Definitely. I think this is a great opportunity to learn more about different cultures and also an opportunity to learn about yourself more. The staff here is great and you get to meet a lot of people from different parts of the world who’ve come here to volunteer.

Just take the opportunity and come here. You won’t regret it!