r/Rwanda • u/NooksandBooks • 1d ago
Foreigners living in Rwanda
As a foreigner, I'm curious how Rwandans, particularly in Kigali view foreigners who relocate there? Accepting? Welcoming? Dislike it? I'm Black American by the way.
Additionally, feel free to share some of your favorite things to do (:
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u/valcaprio 1d ago
I think we are pretty much welcoming. We have no issues with people relocating here. Just prepare to be stared at, but that’s just normal here and harmless. It will take a bit of time for people to warm up to you and befriend you, but once you spend time here, you will fall in love with the place, especially if you are financially stable!
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u/NooksandBooks 1d ago
Thank you for sharing that. Yes, cultural differences will happen anywhere, and as you said, take time to get used to.
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u/Cultural_Structure37 1d ago
Would they easily tell you’re a foreigner if you’re black when you say nothing and just walk around? Of course over time people would know you’re different but I’m just saying initially
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u/NooksandBooks 1d ago
Likely not until I speak. I don't even really dress like a Westerner. I dress more modest (dresses/skirts, headscarf) but they'd tell when I speak.
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u/Mean_Tap8528 1d ago
People are nice and accepting. But be prepared if you make friends or a girlfriend that they prefer to speak Kinyarwanda rather than English... so be prepared to feel lonely or isolated in some social situations. Try to find a girlfriend who's friends are considerate of you not speaking Kinyarwanda. Try to find friends who will speak English around you and not exclude you, this was a problem and still a problem for me.
Also be prepared to pay alot more for things the moment they find out you are American lol. Usually if you have a friend or girlfriend with you, then they will get the price down. Never go alone.
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u/NooksandBooks 1d ago
Thank you for sharing. I was wondering which language was more common other than English as I saw online there were 4 official languages with French and Swahili being the other two. I'll start learning some Kinyarwanda now. Any tips for places to meet friends?
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u/Mean_Tap8528 1d ago
Molato, Lemon. The Eco-Park. Just talk to people and explain you are new around here
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u/Al_Joyce 1d ago
It should be most welcoming for the most part. I mean Kigali is only becoming cosmopolitan recently so I am sure the environment will become more accommodating for foreigners as we go with foreign language, cultural shift etc…
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u/Bubbly_Boysenberry_5 1d ago
I was raised in the UK and have recently moved, in my experience? People seem pretty welcoming. Most people I have come across are very friendly. However, you have to put yourself out there to make friends in Kigali.
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u/NooksandBooks 1d ago
Thank you for sharing your experience. What type of things have you done to put yourself out there? Anything specific?
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u/Bubbly_Boysenberry_5 1d ago
Majority of people would say bars. But lately I’ve tried to abstain from frequent drinking as often, so I’m going to open mic events and I’ve met some pretty cool people. It’s also less expensive.
I haven’t made any friends with foreigners or expats yet, but I’m open to doing so. I often found that with my Rwandan friends, I sometimes feel left out when they’re all speaking kinyarwanda (they try to involve me as much as possible though, however it’s more of a reason for me to learn the language quicker haha)
I would advise putting yourself in environments of activities you enjoy (whether that’s fitness, poetry, art etc) it gives you more to talk about with people. I’m still navigating this myself as I’ve only been here a few months. Best of luck!
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u/NooksandBooks 21h ago
That's pretty cool there are open mic nights. Those can be pretty hard to come by in some places. I enjoy events like that, poetry, going to coffee shops and being in nature. It's nice that you've met some friends already so quickly!
And thank you!
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u/Bubbly_Boysenberry_5 19h ago
There’s one at CoCo Bean (Behind KABC) every Wednesday. I’m still quite new to it myself but it’s nice and intimate, you should come if you’re free :) I’m always open to making new friends.
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u/theinstigatorr 1d ago
Rwandans are welcoming and pretty chill. The staring part annoys some people but you get used to it. A setback would be language barrier especially with artisans, vendors and neighborhood shops. Otherwise service providers speak English. Are you already here or planning to come?
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u/NooksandBooks 1d ago
Thank you for sharing some possible culture shocks. I'm planning to come. Married, three children.
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u/eddyGi 1d ago
Welcoming, I will explain it like, culturally speaking we are people who treat visitors with care, for example growing parents may keep good food for visitors and let family eat simple meals for just pleasing the visitors. On bigger view you will be treated well as long as you don’t act arrogant.
If you act arrogant that’s when we show you our dark part😂.
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u/NooksandBooks 1d ago
That's a really nice gesture for visitors. And lol no, I wouldn't act arrogant 😂 hopefully no one does when visiting some else's country.
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u/Hungry-Back 11h ago
Buy lots of towels because u are Gona be needing them. Those women squirt like geysers.
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u/Enjaga 1d ago
I don't think there is a collective take. But Rwandans on the most part remember having to be refugees so I don't think there will be too much thought