I want to Learn Amharic, What language program should I use? Foreign Service Institute (FREE), Instant Immersion ($29.95), EuroTalk (39.99), 2Speak ($35.95), etc.

After traveling to and returning from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia this last May (2013), I've been determined to learn "Amharic," the native tongue.

Coffee beans being roasted during the Coffee Roasting Ceremony

I remember participating in a coffee roasting ceremony, longing to communicate with the locals.

Whenever I return I will be fluent with the hopes of being able to speak with the locals.

Every day since May I've been teaching myself the language: the 200+ symbols in their alphabet (abugida), how to pronounce the words, how to write and speak the words, some grammar and more.  

Practicing writing Amharic with a cup of coffee (the best way to learn Amharic)

Dictionary I purchased to help in translating and learning the words

The Amharic symbols, each symbol is a consonant and vowel sound

An app I've been using on my phone to help learn the language

So far, I've invested a lot of time in learning the language.  I want to invest in the next step of using a language program.  I've done some research, and found 4 software programs that will help in helping me learn this beautiful Semitic language.

Cost: $19.99 on Amazon or FREE on FSI Language

Cost: $29.95 (Level 1) or $49.95

 Cost: $39.99

Cost: $35.95 (starter) or $65.95 (complete)

I'm posting in hopes that others who know the Amharic language will comment below with suggestions, reviews or other programs that might work better. 

1339 Miles & 317 Speaking Spots Later

Yesterday afternoon, I arrived back to Sioux City: both the starting and ending point of this yearlong journey.

343 days ago.  Start of the AMS journey in Sioux City City.  

343 days have passed.  The equivalent of 8,232 hours, 493,920 minutes or 29,635,200 seconds.
What

Speaking to youth in Ames Iowa.  1 of 311 speaking spots during the year.

Many miles covered by foot and many words spoken by mouth.

Running to Orange City in January 2011 in a blizzard. 1 of 40 long running days during the year.

I am overwhelmed as I attempt reflection on the past year of my life.

Where do I begin?  

How does one share with others the journey they have been on?  

It's as if I'm experiencing culture shock.

Over the next few months I hope to spend time reflecting and sharing my thoughts from the road:

• What I learned
• How I changed, and how I remained the same
• Who I met
• Why I did what I did
• Where I went and what I discovered

Some of the people on the journey