Studying in Amsterdam as an international student, people often ask me about my country of origin, to which I reply “I’m from Tunisia”. This usually provokes an array of different responses: some people have never heard of Tunisia, others confuse the country with its capital Tunis, and a select few have actually travelled to this wonderful place and hold it dear in their memory. Whatever the case may be, I do not ever expect people to know much about Tunisia, which makes it all the more exciting for me to tell you about my home country to hopefully teach you something new.
Nestled between the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea, Tunisia is a nation full to the brim with history and beautiful sights. Initiator of the Arab spring, the movement which triggered pro-democratic uprisings throughout the Arab world in 2011, Tunisia currently stands as the only democracy in the entire Maghreb region in Northern Africa. This recent change has added to the charm and soul of the nation, reflected by a newly found pride of its people.
When visiting Tunisia, seeing its capital Tunis is non-negotiable. To make your way around the city, it is best to avoid public transportation, which is not very reliable, and opt for taxis instead. Unlike European taxi services, taxis here charge very low rates which is ideal for the strained student budget. On top of that, there is simply no better way to discover the city than on a quiet ride while looking through a car window. Okay, maybe not that quiet considering the amount of traffic which usually clogs the capital’s streets but if the locals do it, so can you!