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Master Jiri Bartunek, Brno University of Technology,

ročník 4

Faculty

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

Field of study

Mechanical Engineering

Field of internship

Engineering, Other

Specialization of Internship

Mechanical Engineering

Internship period (from - to)

17. August - 17. November

Internship duration (weeks)

Transport (means, price)

Bus and airplane, price around 280 eur

Insurance/Insurance company

ISIC (UNIQA)

Visa/Work permit (yes/no)

yes

Price of Visa

55 USD

City of Internship

Kenya, Nyeri

Internship reference number

KE/2023-66-03DK

About the country

Location of the place

Nyeri, Kenya. A relatively small town.
Good restaurant is Raybells: https://maps.app.goo.gl/JWczjmni3nrjdugD8
Good second hand market for clothes is: https://maps.app.goo.gl/M6xSmUnzLYAGoWFAA
Best bookshop in town: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fzKeH49Dfmbs5Ycp9

City

Nyeri, Kenya. A relatively small town. Interesting place is Baden-Powell grave.

Surroundings (possible trips, ...)

Many places, Aberdare National Park, Zaina Watter waterfalls, basically any nature reserves that you can find on Google maps.
Definitely need to make a trip to the coast (Mombasa, Malindi) and spend there as much time as possible. The coast is a better place than the interior.

Employer

Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, very good employer.

Work description

My job was Solidworks drawing plus a bit of CFD simulation. The projects were a firewood dryer (basically a greenhouse with venting) and a carbonizer. In general, the projects are mainly focused on agricultural development in Kenya. So the machines and designs are mainly of this nature.

Salary (sufficient for local conditions?)

15000 KES, not sufficient.
The salary is enough for accommodation and food, if you want to travel and discover places (which you definitely do) you need to have your own reserves, but Kenya is not expensive.

Language requirements

English is definitely enough.

Accommodation (price, who provided it)

The accommodation was called Maisha Hostel. The price for a shared room is 5000 kes/month (2 people in a room). The price for a single room is 10000 kes/month. All the other interns were in the same building. The accommodation is nice, however very strict, visitors are not allowed after 11pm. That's why Maisha is a quiet and safe place. Personally, I would choose Takimu Apartments next time, there are hardly any rules and hence the vibrant student life (parties), also the rooms are bigger for the same price. However, it depends on preference.

Social life

Meeting IAESTE members (pick-up at the airport, organized events...)

The local IAESTE organizes the pick-up at the airport and the introductory day when you will be guided around the university and Nyeri town. That's it, all other activities (excursions etc.) have to be organised by the students themselves

Meeting other foreign students

Meeting other international students is not a problem, they will take you into their team. I recommend to create a whatsapp group.

Sport and culture

There are many sports and activities at the university (salsa classes, theatre and countless sports). The great thing is that you can just come and join the team (no registration is needed), the local students are always very nice to foreigners. I personally recommend the Chalange Course, with which you can hike Mt Kenya.

Food, local specialties

The food is not very good, most of the intern students cook on a gas stove. However, the fruit and greens are great and cheap (Avocado 5-30 KES).

Other information

Possibilites to communicate with the Czech Republic

Any social media, internet is available.

Recommendations for students who will go to the same place

Watch your phone, don't walk remote roads at night, don't borrow money.

What not to forget with you

You can bring warm clothes, but it's better to buy them locally in great secondhand shops. Most things are cheaper to buy locally than paying for luggage (I travelled with just a backpack).