The ECUSTA Blog

Empowering Communities: Inside ECUSTA's Social Work Program Social work is a multidisciplinary helping profession, grounded in core values such as service, social justice, dignity, and integrity. At the Ethiopian Catholic Higher Learning Institute (ECUSTA), the Department of Social Work carries these values forward, preparing graduates to serve individuals, families, and communities across Ethiopia and beyond. A Growing Field in Ethiopian Higher Education Social Work is currently offered at a select group of public and private universities across Ethiopia. Undergraduate programs in Addis Ababa are concentrated at three institutions: Addis Ababa University (AAU), ECUSTA, and St. Mary's University's St. John Campus. Postgraduate education in the discipline remains exclusive to AAU, which offers two distinct academic tracks: a regular program with concentrations in Community Development, Health, and Children, Youth, and Family; and an extension program delivering a com...

A Love Letter to ECUSTA: Pancakes, Dorm Life, and Unbreakable Bonds Dearly beloved, this might be our cliché story, but we feel privileged enough to write a true love letter to our dearest school, ECUSTA. "If we could collectively describe our experience, it would simply be love at first sight." Love at First Sight The first day we all met was dreamy, maybe even a little comical. From small, awkward encounters like putting our belongings into our dorm closets while giving each other shy smiles, to asking where everyone was from, to talking all night about everything like we had known each other in another life. That first evening we went to get dinner at the café, and there was never a dull moment after that. Every single day became a journey toward something exciting. We truly appreciate our college because where else could all of this happen except in our heavenly dorm room? We do not mean this lightly. What makes it so special, you might ask? Strap in for...

Our Little Journey at ECUSTA: Friendships, Sunsets, and Medical Dreams Our little journey at ECUSTA has been wonderful so far. As first-year students preparing for our medical joining year, the university already holds a special place in our hearts. We first heard about ECUSTA through social media and mutual friends. Little did we know that joining this institution would lead us to finding each other. We have made so many memories together, and we quickly realized a profound truth about connection: "It is not about how long the friendship is, but how random people decide to be friends and how they make you feel understood and loved." That quote perfectly describes our time here. In a very short period, we have created memories that will always be part of our lives. One of our favorite parts of ECUSTA is its peaceful and friendly environment. We often step out of our dorm around 5:00 PM to simply enjoy the view of the sunset and listen to the birds singing. That...

My Journey at ECUSTA as a Foreign Student My path to the Ethiopian Catholic University of St. Thomas Aquinas (ECUSTA) began with a chance conversation. My father works closely with Catholic sisters who frequently travel between South Sudan and Ethiopia, and during one of their visits, they spoke highly of a school known for its serene environment and academic opportunities. Intrigued, my father began researching the institution. After discovering that a former schoolmate of mine was already studying there and spoke well of her experience, the decision was made. I eventually moved to Ethiopia and became part of the ECUSTA community. My experience staying at ECUSTA has been a rewarding blend of enjoyment and growth. Over time, I have built lasting memories with friends in the dormitories and classrooms while learning the vital skill of adapting to life away from home. The Beauty of Campus Life Living in the ECUSTA environment is truly refreshing. The campus is defined by ...

On May 8, 2026, ECUSTA HLI held a powerful panel discussion featuring top-scoring doctors who graduated this year. The session focused on real-life experiences, as the graduates shared their journey through university life — the challenges they faced, the pressure they managed, and the habits that helped them succeed. Their stories felt real and relatable, giving students a clear picture of what it takes to reach the top. Rather than focusing solely on their achievements, these new doctors opened up about the human side of their journey. “Success doesn’t come overnight. It takes focus and consistency every day,” one graduate shared. Students who attended described the discussion as both motivating and practical. It gave them a clearer idea of what they need to do to improve and stay committed to their goals. Moments like this remind students that success is not just about talent, but about effort, patience, and learning from others who have already gone through the journey. This also ...

The first day I entered ECUSTA, I carried more uncertainty than confidence. As a transfer student, I constantly questioned whether I had made the right decision. Missing the first two weeks of classes only added to my anxiety and made me feel even more out of place. Stepping onto the campus, I feared that I would never truly become part of the community. Navigating the Unknown I was so unfamiliar with the environment that I even got lost while trying to find my lecture hall. After the morning class ended, students began making their way toward the cafeteria. Although I had previously been given a tour of the campus, everything still felt overwhelming. The compound seemed enormous, filled with buildings that looked almost identical at first glance. However, one detail slowly helped me navigate my surroundings: the colorful ceilings of the buildings. The cafeteria, for example, had a bright red ceiling that made it easy to recognize from a distance. Small details like this gradu...

One Year at ECUSTA: Lectures, Chaos, Wildlife, and Unforgettable Memories If someone asked us to describe life at ECUSTA Higher Learning Institution in one sentence, we would probably say: "Studying hard... while somehow always ending up at the café." Before joining university, many of us imagined a dramatic movie scene where students walk around carrying ten books while emotional background music plays. Reality, however, was completely different. It was more like running to class with unfinished assignments, hearing someone scream, " There’s a quiz today! " five minutes before the lecture starts, and suddenly questioning every life decision that brought us there. And honestly? That is exactly what made ECUSTA unforgettable. The ECUSTA Experience: Beyond Expectations From the very beginning, the campus felt different from what we expected. The environment, the students, the atmosphere, and the experience of university life itself were far more ...

As fellow freshman students joining university for the first time, what we all thought about during the application period was finding a college with both academic quality and modernized facilities that make the learning experience exciting and engaging. ECUSTA HLI not only matched but, in certain areas, surpassed our expectations as first-time college-attending students. Safety and Comfort in Dormitory Life One of the standout features is the tidy and comfortable dormitory service for female students, which provides a strong sense of safety and security that has a profound, positive impact on our educational journey. Well-Managed Campus Facilities The university’s facilities are well-maintained and monitored by responsible personnel. Every sector, from the dormitories to the canteens and classroom venues, is well-equipped and established precisely to meet the needs of both students and lecturers. An Upbringing and Supportive Community The university community is very uplift...

ADDIS ABABA — In a major leap forward for digital learning and academic research, the Ethiopian Catholic University - St. Thomas Aquinas (ECUSTA) has officially launched LibGuides , a state-of-the-art, unified research portal designed to put the world's academic knowledge at the fingertips of its students and faculty. Built with a commitment to speed, privacy, and seamless access, the new platform is a database-free (stateless) discovery engine that completely transforms how the ECUSTA community interacts with scholarly materials. From medical researchers to social work and humanities students, the portal bridges the gap between complex academic indices and an intuitive user experience. Here is a look at the groundbreaking features and highlights of the newly launched LibGuides portal: 1. Federated Academic Search: 250+ Million Papers in One Place Gone are the days of opening dozens of tabs to search different academic databases. LibGuides allows users to query seven major academ...

ADDIS ABABA — In a deeply moving interview on EyitaTV , a young Ethiopian woman named Tihtina shared a harrowing account of survival that has left viewers profoundly inspired. Currently a second-year Social Work student at the Ethiopian Catholic University - St. Thomas Aquinas (ECUSTA), Tihtina opened up about the trauma of losing her hand in a severe accident and how she faced it with unyielding faith. "I Was Aware..." The tragic event occurred in 2016 E.C. while Tihtina was traveling from Hossana for a church program. The public transport bus she was riding lost its brakes and violently rolled over near Ziway. Because she was seated right next to the emergency exit, she was thrown out of the window as the heavy vehicle tumbled. The most striking revelation of the interview came when Tihtina detailed the immediate aftermath. She recalled being completely conscious, stating she was aware from the very moment she hit the ground. Instead of excruciating pain, she described fee...