Thank you Abezzi - the question was pretty much whether I should buy a good headset now (even if coming to Africa in a year from now). Now I understand that I will need one and that one with ANR is not an issue as well. Thinking of Beyerdynamic HS800 as I found an unused one for 1/2 the price of Bose A20.
Also can someone let me know whether the Instrument Rating would be a big advantage or I should rather concentrate on getting additional hours? (I understand that for some employers it will be a no-go)