University: 2nd Year Management (Business Admin), Manchester University (Dropped out to run business full time) Blog: windingroad.nomadlife.org Company: PAIWASTOON Networking Services Ltd. Job Description: Deputy CEO - The manager of an Afghan Internet startup managing a team of 5 high potential locals to deliver Afghanistan's first native languages webmail system, mobile internet services, and applications to support organisations / businesses / government. Time in Afghanistan: 3 Months Summer 2005 (CEED), From Mid July 2006 to present.

What did you think before coming?

Before my first time I was just a little nervous – I had read up a lot and understood that I was taking basically a small risk, sorta like the kind you don’t think enough about at home – like running a traffic light – taking that risk in exchange to see something completely new. 

What was your time in Afghanistan like? 

Quite simply it was the experience of my life – the country has heck of a lot of energy and hospitality in people – really incredible given everything that happened here.  

When I first arrived at Kabul Airport and saw wires hanging from the ceiling I was wondering a bit – but when I saw a banner and almost a dozen people waiting and got the whole hospitality treatment I within 2 weeks felt completely at home – pretty strange if you think about it really. 

The job descriptions that you get out here you just can’t find in other places – on my CEED I met with ministers and top business leaders in a way that would have been almost impossible in other places – and now I work managing a whole business developing some pretty exciting technologies to make the internet work better for Afghanistan. 

It’s interesting to be in a country that is just being built – there’s a huge number of construction sites and new things turning up all the time. The country is just being built and new things are turning up – payphone booths, traffic lights, all sorts.  

Afghanistan has a deep tradition of hospitality which shows with the numerous dinner invitations and overall friendliness of the people around here. With my basic understanding of Afghan Persian (Dari) I can pretty easily find help. I now freely go around the city with the local taxi’s, and finding someone to go with is never a problem if I want to. I have before been to the north to Kunduz which was a fantastic trip through the mountains. 

What would you say to someone thinking of coming to Afghanistan? 

There’s certainly some things you have prepared for around here – electricity supply is not always brilliant, and toilet facilities aren’t always perfect – but that’s the same as anywhere. Security wise – again – just take local advice like anywhere else – don’t go to the wrong part of town looking super rich. 

If you’re ready for the next level of professionalism – then this is the chance to check it out now. If you think you’re flexible try to see how well you can plan around facilities. 

And better still – if you really live exchange – get to understand the country – then the chances to make a positive impact on society are incredibly great here.