On April 6th, 2025, I set off on my very first trip to Kenya for a capacity building workshop. Honestly, before this journey, I never really understood why people were so passionate about traveling. But after this experience i think i get it now, and maybe I’ve even caught the travel bug myself.

After a few hours in the air, our plane touched down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) at 11:45 AM. The moment I stepped outside, I was struck by the cool, fresh air. It was raining lightly, and the weather felt absolutely refreshing, so different from what I was used to.

We checked into Jacaranda Hotel in Westlands, a green and peaceful spot. No exaggeration, the hospitality there was 10/10. Friendly staff, good service, and a really relaxing environment.

That evening, around 8:30 PM, my brother called me, and I decided to go see Eastleigh. If you’ve ever been there, you’ll know why people call it “Little Mogadishu.” It’s full of life, business, and Somali culture. Honestly, it felt exactly like being in Bakaro Market 😂. I stayed there until 1:00 AM, meeting new people who couldn’t believe I had only been in Nairobi for a few hours. And the highlight? I tried chapati with chicken for the first time. I had always heard about it, but this was my first taste and wow, it was so good.

The TYPO3 Training Workshop

I had the honor of representing SIMAD University as part of the private sector. The workshop brought together both public and private sector participants, creating a diverse learning environment with representatives from Somalia, Kenya, and international partners such as GIZ and ITU.

For context, TYPO3 is an open source CMS used to build websites. But this workshop wasn’t just theory, it was very hands-on. Over five days, we actually built a full E-Government website for Somalia from scratch. What I loved most was the interactive style. Whenever someone discovered or built something new, they would step up to the stage and explain it to everyone. It kept the learning lively and collaborative.



Our mentors had over 20 years of experience in digital governance and tech. Learning directly from them was a huge privilege. The participants came from Somalia, Kenya, and partners like GIZ and ITU. Beyond the technical side, I met and connected with amazing people from Somali colleagues in the Ministry of Communication and Technology to international experts. Those connections alone made the trip unforgettable.

What I Took Away

Looking back, this trip was far more than just a training program. It was my first international experience a journey filled with discovery, new friendships, and personal growth. From wandering the lively streets of Eastleigh to collaborating on digital solutions at the workshop, every moment left a lasting impression.

Representing SIMAD University among both public and private sector participants gave me a unique perspective on how collaboration across sectors can drive real change. Most importantly, it opened my eyes to just how vital digital governance is for Somalia’s future. Being part of creating a real E-Government platform showed me how technology can improve services, strengthen connections, and shape governance in powerful ways.

Sometimes, the only way to understand the magic of travel is to simply go. For me, Kenya wasn’t just a trip, it was the start of a new perspective on learning, connecting, and the role of technology in shaping the future.

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