International Placement – Gondar, Ethiopia: Meghan Thurston

Psychology Cultures

I have been fortunate enough to travel extensively and live in different countries throughout my lifetime; however, from the very start of planning this placement I was greeted with ‘Ohhs’, ‘Ahhs’, and ‘Wows’ along with looks of ‘did I know what I was doing’ and ‘aren’t you brave’, I knew that Ethiopia promised an unparalleled experience.

Preparing and planning for the placement required a lot of patience and persistence but all good things come to those that wait! On arrival in Gondar, despite a few minor hiccups, I was overwhelmed by the genuine kindness and welcoming attitude displayed by the Ethiopians. Nothing was too much trouble and their candid warmth enveloped you and there was no other option but to embrace it and be thankful.

I arrived during epiphany, Timkat, where the streets come alive with colour, music, the mesmerizing Gondarian shoulder dancing, and an utter embrace of religion, and…

View original post 958 more words