"Getting to Know Tunisia" by Donia Hajjem

Staff members are one of the best resources for students to get to know the host city on their Amideast programs. To highlight how our staff genuinely cares about students and their study abroad experiences, we asked Donia Hajjem, Education Abroad's Program Officer at Amideast Tunisia, for some of her recommendations for newcomers in the country.

“What are your favorite cafes around Tunis to study/work?”

Tunis has a great range of cafes that use a variety of layouts that bring together modern, rustic, and traditional designs. Our coffee houses usually don’t have table service. There, people gather with friends, read a book, or work, depending on their mood. My personal favorite would be the cafe “Le Savary” two blocks away from Amideast, where I go to work and focus. The ambiance is chill with calm background music. The yellow soft lights help me focus and the baristas are super friendly and helpful. Another great coffeeshop to which you can go to and study is used by most of our students, “Cosmitto Cafe” in Lac one, ten minutes away from Amideast. Its seats are arranged in a way that looks like a cool library with your own Edison lightbulb casting a spotlight on your table. Both cafes offer a limited selection of baked goods and desserts that can be purchased at the corner. “Baristas” 15 minutes away from Amideast, in Menzah One or “Centre Urbain Nord” are also a great choice to focus and study.

“What are your favorite restaurants in Tunis?”

Tunisia is known for its restaurants and food. We have a wide selection of cuisines that combine Mediterranean and North African culinary traditions, which encompasses the flavors inherited from so many civilizations that ruled the land. If I were to recommend a couple of restaurants, it would be “Dar Jeld” in La Medina of Tunis, with its rooftop overlooking the city with its ancient houses and old streets. The best time to go would be in the evening, you will get to see the sunset and enjoy a glass of wine in the cool breeze, all the while tasting delicious traditional food. The second restaurant that I recommend is the couscous tree (L'arbre à couscous) in La Marsa. Based on the concept of a couscous bar, you get to assemble it yourself (different couscous bases, adding toppings, picking sauces, and deciding how spicy it should be). The restaurant is a simply must-visit.

Most restaurants in Tunisia offer special dietary needs: Gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan, you will need to look no further away from your neighborhood to delicious food!

“What’s your favorite Tunisian food or drink?”

It is almost impossible to choose one favorite food in Tunisia. Ask the many expats or people who live here; Tunisian food is unique, tasty, and flavorful! The smell and look of every dish are mouthwatering, and you will never go wrong with any dish you order.

Tunisian cuisine is a fusion of French and African food with an extra kick of spices. Our most famous spice is “Harissa,” a thick spicy paste that we make out of Chili hot pepper, and garlic. We add Harissa to most of our dishes and use it as a condiment for our meat and salad. But if I were to decide on only one Tunisian dish, it would be the “Lablabi”. A Tunisian chickpea soup made from pureeing the chickpeas and bread into a creamy and silky broth, scented with harissa, garlic, and cumin and garnished with tuna, a half-boiled egg, and a squeeze of lemon at the end. It is simply a serious delish, and must-have if you are ever visiting Tunisia.

“Are there any apps you recommend students download for living in Tunisia?”

I would certainly recommend downloading the “Bolt” app. It’s a taxi app that’s very similar to Uber and very easy to use. You can submit a one-click request that will get you the nearest cab driver to you. The prices are usually cheap in comparison to the U.S., and our taxi fare doubles after 9 pm (until 5 am).

For normal taxis (not Bolt), here is something to keep in mind, all taxis have a light on their front windshield; if it's red, that means it is free, and you can hail it, if it's green, that means it is occupied, so wait for the next one.

Another app that can come in handy is "Four Square" an app for all the foodies out there, who want to learn more about restaurants, cafes, the vibe, the food, and their reviews.

Also, do not forget to download the offline map of your city, it will help you navigate the city a lot easier than following street signs!

“What are three must-do things in Tunis?”

If you are a nature lover like me, then you should discover Tunisian mountains. In close proximity from the capital, Boukornine mountain stands at a height of a 576-meter, overlooking the Gulf of Tunis and Hammam-Lif city. If you are looking for an even more challenging climbing activity, the mountains of Rsas and Zaghouane will surely satisfy your thirst for adventure.

Attending a concert in one of the many amphitheaters in Tunisia is a must-do thing. Listening to music, singers, and symphonies in what once was an arena for gladiators and wild beasts while sitting on the concrete Roman chairs is an experience that will guarantee give you goosebumps.

The third experience that I recommend if you ever come to Tunisia, is surely going to make your mouth watery. Tunisia offers you the chance to go on food tours, either in La Medina, where you get to taste traditional foods and pastries, or in the countryside, with wine and cheese tasting accompanied by a guided cellar and vineyard tour.

Whatever activity you choose to do, you will be guaranteed a unique immersing experience that you will never forget.

“What are three must-see places in Tunis?”

One of the three must-see places that I recommend would be a train ride to Sidi Bou Said, then witness the sunset from the highest point in the coffeeshop of “Sidi Shabaane”, and finishing the tour by buying “bambalooni”, a delicious Tunisian donut sprinkled with grounded sugar and served with lots of smiles.

The second place I highly recommend is the souk of the ancient Medina. The blend of food and leather smells, the sound of vendors encouraging people to come inside their stores, the variety of sold traditional products, and the eccentric restaurants there will surely make this visit to La Medina memorable.

I saved the best for last, another must-see place in Tunisia is the flea market. Those markets are usually open all week, but they bring new items on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday depending on the area. Those markets spread for long distances, and it will take you sometime over half a day to look into each station. Items can range from outfits that are usually designer brands to shoes, swimsuits, and miscellaneous such as the things that you need but never think about buying like clothes pegs, spices, weird onesies, incense sticks, bobby pins and so much more! The best part of these markets? Almost all items don’t exceed 1 dollar, and if you are lucky, 50 cents will get you over five items of clothing of your choice!

“What is your favorite place in all of Tunisia?”

Although Tunisia has many beautiful places, my personal favorite is a secluded spot in Sidi Bou Said. Away from people and traffic, this place offers peace and quiet while overlooking a forest and a sea. The place is right behind the cemetery of Sid Bou Said. Hence the peacefulness where only birds' chirping can be heard. It is a high place in altitude that is accessible to pedestrians and anyone who is looking for a moment of isolation from the world.

“Any other suggestions for a newcomer in Tunisia?”

Asslema! The things you should keep in mind before coming to Tunisia is to pack right; summer is very hot here, winter is pretty cold, and our fall and spring are breezy and cool. Bring an adapter, you will need it for our type C and E electrical outlets. And finally, bring floss. Surprisingly, it’s not a thing here and it may take you some time to find it!

It will be our pleasure having you in this piece of paradise!

Donia Hajjem is the Education Abroad Program Officer at Amideast Tunisia.