- Tobias Karlsen
My job in Mogadishu brought me here, but I found great people to network and stay in touch with on the InterNations platform.
Living in Hargeisa
The name of the Somalian city of Hargeisa translates as "Little Harar", despite it being the country's second largest settlement after the capital, with well over a million residents. The first question any expat living in Hargeisa will have to answer is that of which country they are actually in, as there is some national debate as to whether the Somaliland region of which Hargeisa is the capital city is an independent country or an autonomous region of Somalia. Either way, this is a city full of character, with a series of vibrant local markets which will give expatriates in Hargeisa a taste of local economic life. Particularly worthy of mention is the popular market in the town center and a camel market on the outskirts of town – the latter should prove a truly unique experience for any expatriate living in Hargeisa who hasn't yet experienced Somalian culture. A business hub with a rich history that goes back to Neolithic times, Hargeisa is a city for truly global minds to savor.
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Moving to Hargeisa
The city is connected to most major Somalian towns via intercity bus services, although various new taxi companies have sprung up in the city in recent years. Probably the most straightforward route for expats moving to Hargeisa, though, is to fly into the Hargeisa International Airport, which is served by a number of domestic and connection flights, as well as direct services to Dubai and Somalia's tiny neighbor, Djibouti. There is also a good selection of further information and advice for expatriates moving to Hargeisa in the Expat Magazine, our collection of dedicated articles for expats on the InterNations website. We cover topics ranging from recommended expat health precautions to cross-cultural communication and living abroad. Expats can also browse content written by other InterNations members for a more 'on the ground' view of expatriation and what to expect when settling in as an expatriate in Hargeisa.
Working in Hargeisa
The large Somalian city is a regional business and financial hub, with a diverse local economy employing many in gemstone cutting, food processing, retail and construction. The city's climate, as you might expect, is hot in the summer and warm in the winter, and any expatriate working in Hargeisa should either have a definite liking for the sun or a good supply of sun-cream (or both). There are also a number of import and export industries in the city, so finding other expatriates working in Hargeisa shouldn't be too difficult. The simplest way of getting in touch with the city's international community is through our discussion groups and private communications, on the InterNations website. This is a popular way for expats to organize meet-ups, socialize with other global minds and simply get information on the latest things to see and do in their host cities.