{"id":2282,"date":"2025-07-11T09:25:28","date_gmt":"2025-07-11T13:25:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/?p=2282"},"modified":"2025-07-11T09:25:28","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T13:25:28","slug":"rwanda-through-my-eyes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/2025\/07\/11\/rwanda-through-my-eyes\/","title":{"rendered":"Rwanda Through My Eyes"},"content":{"rendered":"<script>fsg_json['fsg_post_2282'] = [\n{id: 2288, image: 'https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/files\/2025\/07\/image-5.png', extlink: '', thumb: 'https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/files\/2025\/07\/image-5-290x290.png', permalink: '<div class=\"galleria-layeritem\"><a title=\"Permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/2025\/07\/11\/rwanda-through-my-eyes\/#2288\"><div class=\"galleria-link-bookmark\"><\/div><\/a><\/div>', layer: '<div class=\"galleria-infolayer\"><div 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20px;\"><\/div>'}\n];<\/script>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a data-postid=\"fsg_post_2282\" data-imgid=\"2288\" href=\"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/files\/2025\/07\/image-5.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/files\/2025\/07\/image-5.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2288\" style=\"width:560px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/files\/2025\/07\/image-5.png 1024w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/files\/2025\/07\/image-5-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/files\/2025\/07\/image-5-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Rwanda will always be home to me. It\u2019s not just the rolling green hills or the stunning views that make it special\u2014it\u2019s the feeling you get when you\u2019re here. The kindness of strangers, the rhythm of the streets, the strength in our stories. If you\u2019re visiting for the first time, welcome. There\u2019s so much I want you to see, feel, and understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let me be your guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>First things first: learn our history<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you do anything else, I truly believe you should take the time to learn about Rwanda\u2019s history, because it\u2019s part of who we are today. Our country went through something unimaginable in 1994, and it changed everything. But from that pain came strength, unity, and resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Please visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial. It\u2019s not easy, but it\u2019s important. The memorial is a powerful space where you\u2019ll learn about the Genocide against the Tutsi and hear the voices of those who lived through it. It\u2019s emotional, yes, but it will help you understand Rwanda beyond the headlines or the Instagram views. And that understanding matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Where to stay: Kigali Marriott Hotel<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><a data-postid=\"fsg_post_2282\" data-imgid=\"2284\" href=\"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/files\/2025\/07\/image-1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/files\/2025\/07\/image-1-1024x682.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2284\" style=\"width:399px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/files\/2025\/07\/image-1-1024x682.png 1024w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/files\/2025\/07\/image-1-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/files\/2025\/07\/image-1-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/files\/2025\/07\/image-1-1536x1023.png 1536w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/files\/2025\/07\/image-1.png 1846w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re staying overnight and want comfort, I\u2019d recommend the Kigali Marriott Hotel. It\u2019s right in the city, with beautiful views, amazing food, and really friendly staff. The rooms are super comfortable, there\u2019s a pool (yes!), and the whole place has a peaceful, polished feel. It\u2019s great for first-timers who want to ease into the city while still having access to everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Eat like a local: try ugali and isombe<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, let\u2019s talk food. One of my absolute favorite dishes is ugali with isombe. If you haven\u2019t tried it before, ugali is a thick, starchy side made from maize or cassava flour, and isombe is cassava leaves. It\u2019s rich, flavorful, and comforting. You can find it at most local restaurants, and honestly, nothing hits the spot like a plate of it after a long day. If you ask any of the locals, this dish is definitely going to come up a lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>My favorite coffee spot: Kivu Noir<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a data-postid=\"fsg_post_2282\" data-imgid=\"2285\" href=\"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/files\/2025\/07\/image-2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/files\/2025\/07\/image-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2285\" style=\"width:344px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/files\/2025\/07\/image-2.png 500w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/files\/2025\/07\/image-2-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/files\/2025\/07\/image-2-290x290.png 290w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re into coffee, and trust me, Rwandan coffee is something special\u2014Kivu Noir is a must. It\u2019s cozy, quiet, and has the smoothest coffee I\u2019ve ever tasted.  Whether you go for a cold brew or a cappuccino, you won\u2019t be disappointed. I\u2019ve spent many slow mornings there, journaling or just people-watching with a latte in hand. It\u2019s also a lovely spot to bond with friends, whether you\u2019re catching up over coffee or just sitting together in comfortable silence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Dinner Vibes: Kultura Fine Dining Restaurant<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a data-postid=\"fsg_post_2282\" data-imgid=\"2286\" href=\"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/files\/2025\/07\/image-3.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/files\/2025\/07\/image-3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2286\" style=\"width:471px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/files\/2025\/07\/image-3.png 960w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/files\/2025\/07\/image-3-300x188.png 300w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/files\/2025\/07\/image-3-768x480.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re in Kigali and looking for a sophisticated spot to dine, Kultura Fine Dining Restaurant is a must-visit. It\u2019s one of my favorite restaurants\u2014not just because of the food, but because of the entire experience. From the moment you walk in, you\u2019re greeted with elegance, calm energy, and a beautiful ambiance that reflects both modern design and subtle nods to Rwandan culture. The menu is a thoughtful fusion of local and international flavors, crafted with fine ingredients and artistic presentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Go beyond Kigali: Musanze<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><a data-postid=\"fsg_post_2282\" data-imgid=\"2287\" href=\"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/files\/2025\/07\/image-4.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/files\/2025\/07\/image-4-1024x683.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2287\" style=\"width:507px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/files\/2025\/07\/image-4-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/files\/2025\/07\/image-4-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/files\/2025\/07\/image-4-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/files\/2025\/07\/image-4-1536x1024.png 1536w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/files\/2025\/07\/image-4-2048x1365.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Please, don\u2019t just stay in Kigali. Rwanda has so much more to offer. One place that means a lot to me is Musanze. It\u2019s up north, surrounded by mountains and home to the Volcanoes National Park, where you can trek and see mountain gorillas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But even beyond the gorillas, Musanze is stunning. The weather is cooler, the air feels fresh, and there\u2019s this calm energy that\u2019s hard to explain. I\u2019ve had some of my favorite memories there, just walking through the hills, watching the sunset, or visiting their hotels. If you want to feel close to nature, this is the place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rwanda is more than just a destination. Come with an open heart. Take time to listen and learn. Try the food. Talk to people. Breathe in the hills. I truly hope you leave with not just memories, but a deeper understanding of what makes Rwanda so special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From one Rwandese to you\u2014<strong>Murakaza neza<\/strong>. You\u2019re very welcome here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rwanda will always be home to me. It\u2019s not just the rolling green hills or the stunning views that make it special\u2014it\u2019s the feeling you get when you\u2019re here. The&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11363,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25924],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2282","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international-students-2"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2282","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11363"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2282"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2282\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2289,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2282\/revisions\/2289"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2282"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2282"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/international-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2282"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}