Job Discussion Forums

[summerwalker]

Hello,

I am planning on going to Egypt in September to take Arabic classes at ILI. I would like to stay in Cairo for as long as I can depending on what I find to do there. I have a couple contacts in Egypt but am in search of general information/guidance. So here goes, the beginning of my questions.

Can anyone recommend NGOs in need of English speakers who don't really speak Arabic? I have alist of most NGOs but my emails do not go through. How easy is it to get a volunteer position once over there?

Are cell phones generally what one gets to have a means of communication? Price? ease in obtaining one?

Someone from ILI emailed me saying I could get a one month visa and tehn would have to get a 6 month to one year visa. Do you need sponsorship to get an extended visa?

Where on earth do I go in the states to buy clothing that covers me up and allows me to breathe in the heat of Egypt? Any suggestions would be appreciated!

If I bring my laptop, all I will need is to buy a converter, yes?

Money. If I plan on spending what I have saved, unless I find a part time job of sorts (I know not likely) can any one suggest teh most practical way to deal with my money? Travellers checks? Exchange in the states first? ATM withdrawal? Anything regarding conversion of money would be really helpful.

I have found international health care packages that do not cover much at all. Can anyone suggest good coverage plans or wax philsophical on the need for coverage.

Also if anyone works with ILI I would love any words of wisdom about the programs, the community etc.

Thanks for all your advice in advance, feel free to drop a one liner about any of teh questions or a novel. I will read anything! Thanks.

[veiledsentiments]

Hi Summerwalker,

Well, I don't know anything about NGOs or mobiles (as they are called there - every one of my students had one) but I can answer a couple of your questions.

Unless things have changed, it is usually easy to renew your tourist visa by going to the Mogamma and prove that you have changed dollars. I don't think this will be a problem for you.

Send me a PM (with your email if you are brave) and I can refer you to a couple of good clothing sources in the states. Not a problem!!

All laptops are already dual voltage as far as I know. All you will need is an adaptor for the plug (normally the two round prongs either large or small) - perhaps a good little surge protector too - electricity is unpredictable sometimes. Printers can be a problem though.

Plenty of ATMS. Bring something for back up - a VISA card or travelers checks or cash - as you prefer.

I lived there for years with no health coverage. General medical care is cheap. Assuming that you are young and healthy, I would just get coverage for major medical - something that may send you back home??

There is a thread here on ILI, I think --- check below --- though it is talking about working there rather than studying there.

VS

[summerwalker]

Thanks VS. Lots of good info there. Really glad the money exchange isn't a pain, but didn't the Egyptian currency crash, so a lot is lost in the conversion? I'm trying to figure out how much to take care of ahead of time, etc.

Also any suggestions on good airlines to fly to Egypt on?

[veiledsentiments]

Hi Summerwalker,

Yes the currency did crash and it is more likely to go lower than to ever go higher. In the 20 years I have been involved with Egypt, it has only gone in one direction.

So, with that assumption, your dollars are strong and only likely to get stronger. Don't change more money than you really need to spend as it is very hard to change it back to dollars. There is a black market where you get an even better exchange rate than banks and ATMS, but take care to know your source. I often changed with friends who had businesses and needed the dollars for importing their stock. You might get a better rate with the sleazy fellow on the corner, but he may be on a police watch.

As to flights, the question is which is more important, comfort or cost. Then you just jump on the travel sites to search. The cheapest is usually Egyptair out of NYC. They're OK. A good introduction to life in Egypt.

Did you solve the clothes question?

VS

[Al Waystryn]

Hi!

I just bought a mobile phone so I can tell you - everyone has them here in Egypt and if you want one, just ask an Egyptian - they can give you more information than you'll need about different features/options/brands etc. There are thousands of mobile phone shops around.

My goal was to get one cheap and easy - I spent around 500 LE for a Nokia (took me 10 mins to pick it out) plus a 100 LE Simm card. If you already have a phone, you can buy a 'tourist Sim card' for about 50 LE and use it while you're here.

Let me also say that I lived here for 2 years without feeling the need for a mobile phone... just decided to do the 'Egyptian thing'.

I only know about ILI in Heliopolis. They have English, Arabic and Teacher Training programs (CELTA). Their sister school is ILI Sahafayeen, which as far as I know only does Arabic.

For Arabic students who request accommodations, ILI Heliopolis provides a fully furnished flat that includes a phone. You can also hook up to the internet there with your laptop. To make long distance calls, you can buy a phone card at the Egypt Telecom office - 1 block away from ILI Heliopolis. So even without a mobile phone, you won't be out of touch.

RE: NGO's - I can't give you specifics off hand, but there are lots of volunteer opportunities available. I don't know about paying jobs - that would depend on your qualifications, etc. but one of our current Arabic students is doing volunteer work with street kids. He says it's heartbreaking, but rewarding. Some of our English teachers also help out various programmes teaching refugee kids and other projects.

Regarding visas, the school will take care of everything you need while studying there. If you are offered a job, you'll have to work it out with your employer regarding a work visa. The cost to employers has gone up so you'll have to convince them you're committed and worth it. Alternatively, you can keep extending your tourist visas with not much hassle.

September is hot, but not as bad as August. I wear a lot of skirts - I don't know how so many foreigners can stand long trousers and jeans but they do. I also wear sleaveless shells with lightweight cotton blouses over top that I don't button. This way my shoulders are covered but with air circulation. It's always a dilemma about the cotton thing. I prefer cotton, but when I'm really sweating, the cotton absorbs it, whereas the part nylon/poly stuff dries almost instantly.

Moving on to money - traveller's cheques are truly a hassle. I prefer ATM cards - as long as they are CIRRUS or Visa. Also, cash is good - dollars, euros, sterling are in great demand. Teacher's will happily sell you their LE for some 'real' money so there's no need to hang out on street corners!

Finally, the fun stuff - The number one summer activity is hanging out at the pool on days off. There are 100's of 5 star hotel pools to choose from, plus the Egyptian clubs (talk about a cultural awakening!). Also, long weekends to Dahab or Alex are good for quality beach time. If you can stand the heat, horseback rides around the pyramids are good, also sightseeing and shopping downtown around sunset. But, of course, you'll be spending a lot of time studying... Well, everybody needs a break now and then!

Anyway, David is the Arabic Dept. Coordinator at ILI Heliopolis. He's a really nice guy and can probably answer any other questions you might have - even if you're studying at the other school! His e-mail is: [email protected]

Good luck to you on your upcoming adventure! Don't worry, it'll be great.

Al[/url]

[veiledsentiments]

Great post, Al Waystryn!!

Just let me jump in and second the skirts suggestion. During the hot months, I never wore trousers/pants. The best thing are those 'broomstick' skirts - long, lightweight, so culturally perfect!! Personally I only wear cotton, but it is personal preference.

VS

[redhairlady]

About the clothing question, I just wear normal clothes but conservative. You really do not need to cover yourself head to toe and you dont have to cover your head unless you want to. I teach here and I normally wear nice slacks and maybe a white top half sleeve and sometimes long cotten skirts and nice sandels ect........

[rania_g]

Hi, I am Egyptian and will probably go back to Egypt for a while by January or something.. for the NGOs section, you can always check with the UN Volunteers office in Cairo, contact them and ask about opportunities, they will be able to fix something for you with other organizations as well you can get the contact information from the UNDP Egypt website www.undp.org.eg or the UN volunteers website for the tel numbers. You can also check this website for the NGOs in all the middle east countries and you can search by country, it is www.mengos.net
hope this will help, let me know if you need more information and good luck..