Job Discussion Forums

[Ally951]

Hello --

I've recently applied to work with special needs children in an "Canadian-Egyptian" school in Cairo. I am hoping I will get the job, but in the meantime, I wanted to see if I can find out what to expect living in Cairo.

I have a B.Sc. and MSW (social work) in from U of Toronto - thus, working with special needs falls within that realm. I would also be interested in teaching English privately to supplement my income there ($1200CA/mth - I don't know what that translates into LE). How difficult would this be?

Also, I am incidentally Asian and female - how would that impact my interactions with Egyptions, if at all? And dress? I keep reading "conservative", but this may be relative...should I keep myself fully covered, even during the summer months?

Finally, I would definitely be interested in learning Arabic while there - how easy would it be to attend language courses (cheap or free) or to arrange language exchanges?

Anything other pertinent info would be appreciated, thanks to the mediators for your help,

Cheers,
Alice

[veiledsentiments]

It sounds as if you have done your homework and read lots of the information that is already here.

To add to the dress question... the key is not to display too much skin. No shorts or short skirts or sleeveless blouses... also avoid skin tight knits. It really is just common sense if you have some knowledge of Islam and its conservative nature.

Most Egyptians have no real strong 'stereotypes' of Asians, so that shouldn't be a problem for you. You should have no problem picking up some private students, especially through contacts from your school. (though you may be restricted from giving private lessons to their students...)

There are many places giving Arabic lessons, so that should be no problem. Once you get settled, you can check out the ones near your work or your flat.

Have fun...

VS

[Ally951]

Thanks for that, VS.

[QatarChic]

Hi ally

Do you know where your school will be based? As VS said, there are lots of places where people can study Arabic...one good one is in Heliopolis called the ILI for more info just go here:

http://www.ili.com.eg/

Egyptians are very friendly and open, and you being Asian will not cause you any problems...in fact they will be very curious if no welcoming you have to remember that Cairo is very cosmopolitan its a huge city...when I was there I met lots of people from the Far East as well as other nationalities.

Enjoy the travel posibilities that Egypt has to offer too....when its cold in he winter go down to Aswan...when its hot in the summer....go up to Alexandria...

Good luck

[Ally951]

I have the address, but it doesn't make sense to me. If that makes any sense. (G21 - Dream Land...6th of October, Cairo Egypt?) I will look into ILI, which I've been reading about off this forum.

Thanks for the tip on traveling around, I'm just not sure if I will be given time to do so (one day off, I believe) nor have the funds. Hopefully, having some private students may afford me the opportunity.

Cheers.

A

[veiledsentiments]

There are enough interesting sites in Cairo to keep you busy on weekends if funds are restricted.

I couldn't get into the website, but I suspect that your confusion is related to names of locations of their schools. All will eventually make sense when you get there... or sort of anyway...

Part of the challenge...

VS

[eyda]

I wanted to see if I can find out what to expect living in Cairo.

Cairo's AWESOME, if you like adventures. There's sooooooooo much to do. Try and get housing somewhere other than 6th of October so you're closer to things. That's a new development west of the Nile, past the Pyramids, for nouveau-riche Egyptians.

my income there ($1200CA/mth - I don't know what that translates into LE).

That should be around 6000 LE/mo. Housing should be given to you in addition. With that salary you can live well, but unless you're getting some salary in a real currency, be aware that you CANNOT get US or CAN dollars anywhere but on the black market. Banks will not take your LE and give you a viable currency. SOMETIMES, Thomas Cook will let you change a set amount when you buy a ticket out of the country from them. I, for one, was unaware of the non-viability of the Egyptian pound when I went to Egypt, and as a result had BAGS of LE upon departure!

Also, I am incidentally Asian and female - how would that impact my interactions with Egyptions, if at all?

Okay, I'm going to disagree with the others. My best friend here is Korean, and gets hassled as much as blonde Westerners. However, Egyptians can be VERY cruel to some Asians...Korean parents at my last school eventually withdrew their kids from a so-called Canadian school, which couldn't stop the bullying. I taught a Japanese-Egyptian kid who had been bullied his entire school career...
In my experience, most Egyptians don't appreciate cultural diversity as much as you do in Canada.

As for Arabic, there are tons of places to learn...you could swap English lessons for Arabic ones. As for tutoring, there are TONS of opportunities...the Cairo Korean School could keep you hopping in all your free time. Actually, one could earn your salary tutoring alone, because Westerners pay REAL $$ (US - 20-30/hr) for their kids' tutoring sessions, especially in Maadi, Heliopolis, and I would bet 6th of October. [color=blue][/color]

Cairo is great, and so are most Egyptians. And you can't beat the shortened work day in Ramadan, so soon approaching! Enjoy

[rana]

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