A2SV
In case this helps someone someday, I wanted to talk about my time at A2SV.
First of all, if you do not know what A2SV is, it stands for Africa to Silicon Valley Program. It is a nonprofit organization that prepares university students for big tech interviews like FAANG or MAANG.
I first heard about A2SV during my first year of college, and it was one of the reasons I chose AAiT. At the time, I thought being an AAiT student was a requirement because A2SV was only operating in AAU. Later, I found out that it accepts any AAU student. I was part of the G5 in person program. I would say I experienced A2SV during its bright days. Everything I am sharing here is based on my experience back then. I am not sure if the curriculum has changed since.
The Education
The first thing A2SV focuses on is data structures and algorithms. The first year is an intensive DSA program that lasts almost eight months, followed by a summer camp where you learn beginner development tech stacks. The course starts with beginner topics like arrays and strings and goes all the way to advanced topics like tries, advanced dynamic programming, and trees. If you want to become the Ethiopian Gennady Korotkevich, A2SV is the place to be.
When it comes to development, I would say A2SV lags a bit. You might learn more practical development skills by joining a local startup that ships products quickly. Again, I am speaking based on my experience from two years ago. It makes sense, though, since the main goal of the program is to prepare you for interviews, not to teach you how to build production level applications.
The Education System
The teaching and learning process is excellent. I would even suggest Mr. Birhanu Nega sit behind Emre Varol and see how Emre built and shaped the system. The resources are well organized, and the mentors take their responsibilities seriously. They track your progress one on one and truly care about how you are doing. If you fall behind for even a week, you will get on a call to figure out what you missed and what you need help with.
My favorite part of the lectures was the moon walk, though. 🙂 (You will not get the joke unless you are an A2SVian.)
The Perks and Benefits
Financially, A2SV is what made me rich enough to afford shawarma every few days. 😊 You get an unlimited monthly internet package until the end of the season. You also receive 100 birr per lecture from Monday to Saturday, as long as you are on time. During the internship period, we were paid a net 11,500 ETB per month. Who else would pay an intern that much in Ethiopia? Do the math for a three and a half month internship. And remember, this was two years ago. For comparison, campus cost sharing was 450 birr back then.
Opportunity wise, A2SV exposes you to people from big tech companies. Many senior developers and managers from big tech visited us. The fellow students you meet there are usually very driven and passionate. Through networking, you get exposed to many different opportunities.
I had more to say, but I honestly forgot after getting distracted by something else. I might need to get my ADHD checked. Anyway, this is enough for now. I can share more thoughts and suggestions in the future depending on your questions.
In case this helps someone someday, I wanted to talk about my time at A2SV.
First of all, if you do not know what A2SV is, it stands for Africa to Silicon Valley Program. It is a nonprofit organization that prepares university students for big tech interviews like FAANG or MAANG.
I first heard about A2SV during my first year of college, and it was one of the reasons I chose AAiT. At the time, I thought being an AAiT student was a requirement because A2SV was only operating in AAU. Later, I found out that it accepts any AAU student. I was part of the G5 in person program. I would say I experienced A2SV during its bright days. Everything I am sharing here is based on my experience back then. I am not sure if the curriculum has changed since.
The Education
The first thing A2SV focuses on is data structures and algorithms. The first year is an intensive DSA program that lasts almost eight months, followed by a summer camp where you learn beginner development tech stacks. The course starts with beginner topics like arrays and strings and goes all the way to advanced topics like tries, advanced dynamic programming, and trees. If you want to become the Ethiopian Gennady Korotkevich, A2SV is the place to be.
When it comes to development, I would say A2SV lags a bit. You might learn more practical development skills by joining a local startup that ships products quickly. Again, I am speaking based on my experience from two years ago. It makes sense, though, since the main goal of the program is to prepare you for interviews, not to teach you how to build production level applications.
The Education System
The teaching and learning process is excellent. I would even suggest Mr. Birhanu Nega sit behind Emre Varol and see how Emre built and shaped the system. The resources are well organized, and the mentors take their responsibilities seriously. They track your progress one on one and truly care about how you are doing. If you fall behind for even a week, you will get on a call to figure out what you missed and what you need help with.
My favorite part of the lectures was the moon walk, though. 🙂 (You will not get the joke unless you are an A2SVian.)
The Perks and Benefits
Financially, A2SV is what made me rich enough to afford shawarma every few days. 😊 You get an unlimited monthly internet package until the end of the season. You also receive 100 birr per lecture from Monday to Saturday, as long as you are on time. During the internship period, we were paid a net 11,500 ETB per month. Who else would pay an intern that much in Ethiopia? Do the math for a three and a half month internship. And remember, this was two years ago. For comparison, campus cost sharing was 450 birr back then.
Opportunity wise, A2SV exposes you to people from big tech companies. Many senior developers and managers from big tech visited us. The fellow students you meet there are usually very driven and passionate. Through networking, you get exposed to many different opportunities.
I had more to say, but I honestly forgot after getting distracted by something else. I might need to get my ADHD checked. Anyway, this is enough for now. I can share more thoughts and suggestions in the future depending on your questions.
🔥8❤3
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اللهم صلِّ وسلِّم وبارِك على نبينا وحبيبنا ورسولنا وقدوتنا محمدٍ عليه الصلاةُ والسلام
❤7
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By any chance, are you from St. Mary or do you have a friend there, or do you have any information about the workspace mentioned in the video? Is it really free for anyone? I saw people in the comment section of the video arguing. Some say it is only allowed for St. Mary students. I need your help if you have any information.
🤷♀2
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😭3
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in one or the other way, we are all in this situation right now …
اللهم نريد منك السَّلَام في كلّ مكان
اللهم نريد منك السَّلَام في كلّ مكان
Standups & cooldowns
You may have heard these terms one way or another. At well organized software companies, they are meetings you usually have at the beginning and ending of the day. Standups are where you share updates on what you are going to work on today. Cooldowns happen at the end of the day, where you share what you achieved during the day. I am not sure, but I think other fields like doctors have similar things too.
Anyway, here is my point. This pattern of work exists because it helps you measure progress. When you write things down and add checkmarks for what you finished and what you did not, you can clearly see where you stand and whether you are on track with the bigger plan you are trying to reach.
I try to follow the same idea in my life. In the morning, I write what I plan to do for the day. At night, before I sleep, I add checkmarks. This is especially helpful when you have responsibilities coming from different directions. The more detailed you break down your work, the more doable it feels. Also, most plans should not just stay in your head.
Instead of writing generic plans, write things like:
fix the courses API from that server
go to campus and get my ID
call Mr John Doe about the electronics assignment
You get the idea. Later in the day, I add checkmarks. The ones I did not finish get moved to the next possible day.
You can write your plans and updates anywhere that is easy to access. I use a private Telegram group with just me and my other account. You could use Notion or any app, or even the diary.
I will be honest though. It has been a while since I followed this approach, and now I feel kind of lost. The difference in productivity is clear. I think I need to start posting monthly plans and recap posts here so it holds me accountable in front of people. So yeah, monthly recaps and plans here, daily plans and cooldowns privately. Hopefully every month will feel productive.
You may have heard these terms one way or another. At well organized software companies, they are meetings you usually have at the beginning and ending of the day. Standups are where you share updates on what you are going to work on today. Cooldowns happen at the end of the day, where you share what you achieved during the day. I am not sure, but I think other fields like doctors have similar things too.
Anyway, here is my point. This pattern of work exists because it helps you measure progress. When you write things down and add checkmarks for what you finished and what you did not, you can clearly see where you stand and whether you are on track with the bigger plan you are trying to reach.
I try to follow the same idea in my life. In the morning, I write what I plan to do for the day. At night, before I sleep, I add checkmarks. This is especially helpful when you have responsibilities coming from different directions. The more detailed you break down your work, the more doable it feels. Also, most plans should not just stay in your head.
Instead of writing generic plans, write things like:
fix the courses API from that server
go to campus and get my ID
call Mr John Doe about the electronics assignment
You get the idea. Later in the day, I add checkmarks. The ones I did not finish get moved to the next possible day.
You can write your plans and updates anywhere that is easy to access. I use a private Telegram group with just me and my other account. You could use Notion or any app, or even the diary.
I will be honest though. It has been a while since I followed this approach, and now I feel kind of lost. The difference in productivity is clear. I think I need to start posting monthly plans and recap posts here so it holds me accountable in front of people. So yeah, monthly recaps and plans here, daily plans and cooldowns privately. Hopefully every month will feel productive.
❤4
#monthlygoal@AbduIntheLoop
March Plans
> do one side project; not that much of a big scale thing rather just a simple one for improving portfolio.
> take one crash course on blockchain, remittances and money transfer topics to be specific. so to help me push forward on the final year project I am working on.
> cut social media app’s screen time to 20hrs a week (it’s 35hrs now in average).
> maybe read one book on the time that’s cut from social media apps. It’s Ramadan so Quran could also be counted :) But I’ll try to read one other book besides the Quran.
> not get fired from my job
> celebrate Eid 🙂
so, I think this is a doable monthly plan. To make it more interesting, I will reward myself if I achieved, say 80% of it. If I failed, I will be punished.. will think about the punishment later
March Plans
> do one side project; not that much of a big scale thing rather just a simple one for improving portfolio.
> take one crash course on blockchain, remittances and money transfer topics to be specific. so to help me push forward on the final year project I am working on.
> cut social media app’s screen time to 20hrs a week (it’s 35hrs now in average).
> maybe read one book on the time that’s cut from social media apps. It’s Ramadan so Quran could also be counted :) But I’ll try to read one other book besides the Quran.
> not get fired from my job
> celebrate Eid 🙂
so, I think this is a doable monthly plan. To make it more interesting, I will reward myself if I achieved, say 80% of it. If I failed, I will be punished.. will think about the punishment later
👏6❤1
Forwarded from NoorifyLabs
🌸 Ethiopian Women in Blockchain 🌸
📅 March 8, 2026
⏰ 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Bole Bulbula
As part of Ethiopian Blockchain Week 2026, we’re bringing together the women shaping Ethiopia’s Web3 ecosystem for an afternoon of inspiration, connection, and real conversation.
Join us to celebrate founders, builders, students, community leaders, and innovators who are driving blockchain adoption forward. Come and learn from the women who are running the blocks — hear their journeys, their challenges, and how they’re creating impact in Ethiopia’s digital future.
Whether you’re new to blockchain or already building, this space is for you.
✨ Inclusive Innovation. Blockchain for Everyone.
🔗 Register here
Powered by OKX
#EthiopianBlockchainWeek #WomenInBlockchain #EBW2026 #InclusiveInnovation
📅 March 8, 2026
⏰ 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Bole Bulbula
As part of Ethiopian Blockchain Week 2026, we’re bringing together the women shaping Ethiopia’s Web3 ecosystem for an afternoon of inspiration, connection, and real conversation.
Join us to celebrate founders, builders, students, community leaders, and innovators who are driving blockchain adoption forward. Come and learn from the women who are running the blocks — hear their journeys, their challenges, and how they’re creating impact in Ethiopia’s digital future.
Whether you’re new to blockchain or already building, this space is for you.
✨ Inclusive Innovation. Blockchain for Everyone.
🔗 Register here
Powered by OKX
#EthiopianBlockchainWeek #WomenInBlockchain #EBW2026 #InclusiveInnovation
❤2
Forwarded from LUTO
Self Teaching Has Never Been This Powerful 🚀
In this era of technology, almost everyone has access to a phone and the digital world. That means learning by yourself has never been easier.
But it wasn’t always like this.
Let’s rewind a few years back ... before AI.
-We had YouTube courses.
-We had online tutorials.
-We had free websites and paid advanced programs.
You could learn anything.
But here was the problem:
-You’d start a course…
-Halfway through, you’d get confused.
-You wouldn’t understand something.
-You’d pause the video and start Googling.
-Then YouTube.
-Then articles.
You’d spend hours trying to understand one concept.
Yes, you gained knowledge during that process but it felt exhausting.
.. Some people quit.
..Some said, “This is too hard.”
..Some felt they needed a mentor ( a real human to guide them step by step.)
And honestly? Not everyone has that.
Now fast forward to today.
AI changed the game.
-You’re watching a complex course.
-You don’t understand something.
-You ask AI.
∆ It explains it clearly.
∆ Based on your level.
∆ Based on your preference.
That’s powerful.
But here’s the dangerous part.
Some people are not using AI to understand.
They’re using AI to avoid understanding.
They let AI solve everything.
They copy.
They paste.
They finish the task.
They get the dopamine hit of “Job Done” ... without doing the mental work.
And that’s extremely dangerous.
Because when real life problems show up ..problems that require thinking, patience, and struggle , the brain that got used to easy wins gets tired fast.
AI is powerful.
But it should be your assistant , not your brain.
Here’s the right loop:
• Watch the course
• When confused, ask AI to elaborate
• Experiment with what you learned (THIS is the critical part)
• Struggle a little
• Then continue the course
That loop saves time.
It reduces frustration.
It removes unnecessary roadblocks.
But you still have to think.
You still have to experiment.
You still have to struggle a little.
There is no perfect time to start learning.
There is no “ready” moment.
If you have access to the internet and the will to grow,
You already have everything you need.
JUST START !!!!!!!
Learning never stops. 🚀
@DEVLUTO
In this era of technology, almost everyone has access to a phone and the digital world. That means learning by yourself has never been easier.
But it wasn’t always like this.
Let’s rewind a few years back ... before AI.
-We had YouTube courses.
-We had online tutorials.
-We had free websites and paid advanced programs.
You could learn anything.
But here was the problem:
-You’d start a course…
-Halfway through, you’d get confused.
-You wouldn’t understand something.
-You’d pause the video and start Googling.
-Then YouTube.
-Then articles.
You’d spend hours trying to understand one concept.
Yes, you gained knowledge during that process but it felt exhausting.
.. Some people quit.
..Some said, “This is too hard.”
..Some felt they needed a mentor ( a real human to guide them step by step.)
And honestly? Not everyone has that.
Now fast forward to today.
AI changed the game.
-You’re watching a complex course.
-You don’t understand something.
-You ask AI.
∆ It explains it clearly.
∆ Based on your level.
∆ Based on your preference.
That’s powerful.
But here’s the dangerous part.
Some people are not using AI to understand.
They’re using AI to avoid understanding.
They let AI solve everything.
They copy.
They paste.
They finish the task.
They get the dopamine hit of “Job Done” ... without doing the mental work.
And that’s extremely dangerous.
Because when real life problems show up ..problems that require thinking, patience, and struggle , the brain that got used to easy wins gets tired fast.
AI is powerful.
But it should be your assistant , not your brain.
Here’s the right loop:
• Watch the course
• When confused, ask AI to elaborate
• Experiment with what you learned (THIS is the critical part)
• Struggle a little
• Then continue the course
That loop saves time.
It reduces frustration.
It removes unnecessary roadblocks.
But you still have to think.
You still have to experiment.
You still have to struggle a little.
There is no perfect time to start learning.
There is no “ready” moment.
If you have access to the internet and the will to grow,
You already have everything you need.
JUST START !!!!!!!
Learning never stops. 🚀
@DEVLUTO
❤5
For the sake of God, please don’t say you’ll be there in 10 minutes without even getting close to the place. Instead, look at the speed of the car you’re in, check the distance on Google Maps, calculate the time using the formula v = s/t, and tell me the time (t). Seriously though, please at least tell the truth. Thank you!
When it’s not Ramadan, I could sit and wait in a cafe. But during Ramadan, where am I supposed to wait? I can’t sit on the street for 30 more minutes like a beggar. What else can I do? Maybe become a real estate sales for 30 minutes.
When it’s not Ramadan, I could sit and wait in a cafe. But during Ramadan, where am I supposed to wait? I can’t sit on the street for 30 more minutes like a beggar. What else can I do? Maybe become a real estate sales for 30 minutes.
😁9
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ALHAMDULILAH…
We are already on the 17th night of Ramadan, btw. And it’s third Ramadan jumma’ah. We still got time to compensate for what we have missed so far and return back to Allah. May Allah help us.
I am talking about
الشيخ عبد الرحمن السديس حفظه الله، حياكم الله
We are already on the 17th night of Ramadan, btw. And it’s third Ramadan jumma’ah. We still got time to compensate for what we have missed so far and return back to Allah. May Allah help us.
I am talking about
الشيخ عبد الرحمن السديس حفظه الله، حياكم الله
❤4
few days into saudi, I am asking myself if this is the situation that people said it got worse to, how better could the living have been here before. the cost of living, the people, the life - everything is great here. No wonder why Ronaldo chose to play in saudi :)
👏4
AbduIntheLoop
few days into saudi, I am asking myself if this is the situation that people said it got worse to, how better could the living have been here before. the cost of living, the people, the life - everything is great here. No wonder why Ronaldo chose to play in…
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😁😁😁
بإذن الله، لن أنساكم يا إخوتي وأخواتي
بإذن الله، لن أنساكم يا إخوتي وأخواتي
😁3❤1
Forwarded from Zaya
we’re already 2/3 through Ramadan… and honestly it feels heartbreaking like saying goodbye to someone you love before you’re ready 😭💔
Only the last 10 nights are left and we all know how fast they will pass... fast like light
everyone is starting to talk about Eid, but maybe this is the time to think more about Ramadan itself
did we complete the Quran we hoped to?
did we hold on to every taraweeh?
did we make the most of the nights?
Not everything that begins ends well but the ones who finish strong those are the real GOATS!
The most powerful tahajjud nights are here so let's do our best in order to have a good farewell and have something for the rest 11 months...who's ready🫡
let’s give Ramadan a beautiful ending
Only the last 10 nights are left and we all know how fast they will pass... fast like light
everyone is starting to talk about Eid, but maybe this is the time to think more about Ramadan itself
did we complete the Quran we hoped to?
did we hold on to every taraweeh?
did we make the most of the nights?
Not everything that begins ends well but the ones who finish strong those are the real GOATS!
The most powerful tahajjud nights are here so let's do our best in order to have a good farewell and have something for the rest 11 months...who's ready🫡
let’s give Ramadan a beautiful ending
❤7
You can never be good at something unless you start.
Whenever someone with many more years of experience is hired in my position, I automatically think they must be right and that I could be wrong. Because of that, I hold back my suggestions. I assume that if my idea was good, they would have already thought of it. I tell myself my ideas probably don’t work and that’s why they didn’t bring them up.
back in high school, When I moved to a school where English was spoken a lot more than my previous school, if someone talked to me in English, I would answer back in Amharic. They were my age, and I definitely could have responded in English. But I kept thinking they had spent more time speaking it, so I should practice more and only speak once I reached their level. That mindset stopped me from speaking at all.
The same thing happens with programming. You keep thinking you’re behind, so you go back into tutorial hell again and again just to feel like you’re reaching some senior level before you start building real things. But that’s wrong.
After some practice, everyone knows the basics. Think about driving. You take driving lessons for about 21 days, and then boom, you can drive on the street. Someone with 21 days of driving experience and someone with 10 years of experience both know how to drive. It’s not rocket science. Of course experience has benefits over time, but that doesn’t mean you can’t drive at all.
Programming is similar. You just need to know the basics. After that, it’s about spending time building projects and working on real things, even when you feel like you don’t know enough.
And please don’t misunderstand what I’m saying. I’m not saying go apply to a Google software developer job with only “Hello World” experience. You get what I mean. There’s a level above that, and that’s what I’m talking about.
I’m honestly a bit tired right now, but I hope I communicated my message well.
Whenever someone with many more years of experience is hired in my position, I automatically think they must be right and that I could be wrong. Because of that, I hold back my suggestions. I assume that if my idea was good, they would have already thought of it. I tell myself my ideas probably don’t work and that’s why they didn’t bring them up.
back in high school, When I moved to a school where English was spoken a lot more than my previous school, if someone talked to me in English, I would answer back in Amharic. They were my age, and I definitely could have responded in English. But I kept thinking they had spent more time speaking it, so I should practice more and only speak once I reached their level. That mindset stopped me from speaking at all.
The same thing happens with programming. You keep thinking you’re behind, so you go back into tutorial hell again and again just to feel like you’re reaching some senior level before you start building real things. But that’s wrong.
After some practice, everyone knows the basics. Think about driving. You take driving lessons for about 21 days, and then boom, you can drive on the street. Someone with 21 days of driving experience and someone with 10 years of experience both know how to drive. It’s not rocket science. Of course experience has benefits over time, but that doesn’t mean you can’t drive at all.
Programming is similar. You just need to know the basics. After that, it’s about spending time building projects and working on real things, even when you feel like you don’t know enough.
And please don’t misunderstand what I’m saying. I’m not saying go apply to a Google software developer job with only “Hello World” experience. You get what I mean. There’s a level above that, and that’s what I’m talking about.
I’m honestly a bit tired right now, but I hope I communicated my message well.
❤6
If you’re telling me you can stay up after eating suhoor until Salat al-Fajr without losing your wudu, bro, take risks in your life. You’ve already done one of the hardest things in life.
😁8