ahlan wa sahlan

Welcome

اهالً و سهالً

P a g e | 2

1

WELCOME TO EGYPT

Ahlan Wa Sahlan! – That’s Arabic and means: Welcome!

We, staff and volunteers of AFS Egypt, are very happy and proud that you have decided to

come to Egypt for your AFS -experience.

Now, as you are still at home, it is the best time for you to prepare yourself for going

abroad, to read about Egypt and to start learning Arabic. We have worked on compiling this

handbook to help you prepare for your experience. It will give you a first introduction to our

country, the religions, different aspects about everyday-life and the AFS- program in Egypt.

Your time with AFS can be a wonderful, enriching, interesting adventure, but also

sometimes very challenging. You will learn a tremendous lot about Egypt and yourself and

we can learn a whole lot from you, about your home and yourself.

We have every confidence, although it might not be easy in the beginning that you will not

only be able to cope with “those different Egyptian ways”, but that you will learn to live with

them, adapt to some of them and have a marvelous time over here! We are all excited

about having you as a participant and want you to know that we are always there for you.

And just think: even now, when you may feel a little worried and insecure about leaving

home to go to a totally new country to live with total strangers – these very strangers

(especially your host family) are thinking of you, looking forward to hosting you, making

plans for you…

We are looking forward to welcoming you in Egypt!

AFS Egypt

P a g e | 3

1

CONTENTS

AFS Statement of Purpose

AFS is an international , voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world.

__________________

The Core Values and Attributes of AFS

AFS enables people to act as responsible global citizens working for peace and understanding in a diverse world. It acknowledges that peace is a dynamic concept threatened by injustice, inequity and intolerance. AFS seeks to affirm faith in the dignity and worth of every human being and of all nations and cultures. It encourages respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms without distinction as to race, sex, language, religion or social status. AFS activities are based on our core values of dignity, respect for differences, harmony, sensitivity and tolerance.

AFS EGYPT …………………………………………….…….4

AFS Local Chapters ……………………………….…….…5

Over view of the country ………………………….…….…6

Getting to know Egypt ……………………………......…..6

History of Egypt …………………………...…….…..…..6

Timeline …………………….…...……...…….………7

Religion in Egypt ………………………….……..…….8

People of Egypt ……………………………….…..……..9

Family Life ……………………………………..……..9

Relation with Host siblings ……………………10

Our host families …………………………………. 10

Egyptian teenagers ………………………………..11

Greetings ………………………………...………….12

Concept of time …………………………………….12

Concept of space/privacy …………………...…...12

Cleanliness and hygiene ……………………….12

Egyptian food …………………………………...….13

Schools in Egypt ………..…………………………………13

Packing ………………………………...………….…….….14

General Advice …………..……………………………..….16

Communication ……………..……………………….…16

Public transportation……………….....………….……17

Weather …………………………………………..…..….18

Money …………………………………………………….19

Public holidays ……………………….………......…....19

Electrical appliances ………..…………………...……19

Metric system ……………………………………….…..19

Your stay with AFS Egypt ……………………………..…20

AFS Support …………………….…………….……..…..21

Want to know more?......................................................21

Appendix ………...………………………………………….22

P a g e | 4

1

AFS EGYPT

Is a voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world. AFS Egypt is the national office of AFS Intercultural Programs (AFS IP). Our programs in Egypt started in 1959 and the society was established in 1982.

Volunteers and local chapters:

There are over 500 AFS volunteers throughout Egypt and they are divided in 16 chapters: Cairo (Heliopolis, Nasr city, New cairo, Maadi), Giza (Haram, Mohandeseen, 6 october), Alexandria east, Alexandria west, Port Said, Ismailia, Beni swief, El Fayoum, El Minia, Luxor, and Aswan. The chapters engage in many activities: promote our programs, select host families, assist and support exchange students and host families, maintain and develop contacts with the schools and the local authorities… The volunteers are coordinated by a small body of professional staff. The people who work in the office take care of general coordination of the various activities in the following areas: Sending programs, Hosting programs, Development, Volunteers and Public Relations.

P a g e | 5

1

AFS LOCAL CHAPTERS

AFS Egypt has active chapters in the following cities: 1. Alexandria east: North Coast Region 2. Alexandria west: North Coast Region 3. Heliopolis: in Cairo Capital city 4. Nasr City: in Cairo Capital city 5. New Cairo: in Cairo Capital city 6. Maadi: in Cairo Capital city 7. 6 october: part of Greater Cairo 8. Haram: in Giza part of greater Cairo 9. Mohandeseen: in Giza part of greater Cairo Although Egypt is not a large country geographically or in terms of population, the Egyptian society is a rather diverse society. While this handbook is aimed at introducing you the culture of Egypt, we can only present it in general terms. In every part of the country, in every city and in every family, there will be special characteristics that make it unique. People of Alexandria have their own jokes, habits, accent, and even traditions that are somewhat different from those of El Menya or Port Said, for example. Cairo and Giza, by nature of their location and being the capital city, are very different from any other city in Egypt. This diversity will only add to the richness of your experience. Each city, each family, each experience is unique and special, and we hope that you will take advantage of this. As a participant you could be hosted in any of these cities. In your Welcome Orientation in Egypt, upon your arrival, we will discuss the geographic diversity in more depth. It is very important that you come to Egypt with realistic expectations, and that you prepare yourself to the differences you will encounter… they will be many.

10. Port Said: Canal and Sinai Region 11. Ismailia: Canal and Sinai Region 12. Beni Sweif: Upper Egypt Region 13. El Menya: Upper Egypt Region 14. Luxor: Upper Egypt Region 15. Aswan: Upper Egypt Region 16. El-Fayoum: Upper Egypt Region

P a g e | 6

1

Overview of the country

Official name: Arab Republic of Egypt

Capital city: Cairo

Language: Arabic

Area: 1,001,449 km2

Population: 77.5 million (total), 77 per km2

Religion: 94% Islam, 6% Christian

Climate: desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters

Egypt is located in north-eastern Africa. Covering an area of about 1,001,000 km² Egypt includes the Sinai Peninsula (the only land bridge between Africa and Asia), while the majority of the country is located in North Africa. It shares land borders with Libya to the west, Sudan to the south, Israel and the Gaza strip to the northeast. It is bordered to the north and east by the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea respectively. The vast majority of Egypt's population inhabits the banks of the Nile River while large areas of land are part of the Sahara Desert and are sparsely inhabited. Egypt is famous for its ancient civilization and some of the world's most stunning ancient monuments, including the Giza Pyramids, the Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings. The southern city of Luxor contains what accounts to two-thirds of the ancient artifacts present in the entire world! Today, Egypt is widely regarded as the main political and cultural centre of the Arab and Middle Eastern regions and many Egyptians believe that Egypt is at the heart of the Middle East!

Getting to know Egypt

History of Egypt

Egypt’s history is one of the richest, oldest and most varied in the world. It started thousands of years ago, and continues with much diversity and unity. This diversity and unity is one of the interesting contradictions you will encounter. Throughout its history, Egypt has been exposed to many great civilizations and to the many cultures that existed throughout time. This, of course, resulted in a special and charming blend of traditions, languages, and cultures. As you walk down the streets of any city in Egypt, you will see and hear (and also feel) the many cultures that walked there once. And through this, you will see how Egypt, throughout time, has been a generous and indulgent host to its visitors. In spite of this, you may not find many of your Egyptian peers equally interested in our history. Please do not let this discourage you from learning more about our history. You will have many opportunities to read history books, talk to people who are interested in history, and to be in a county that is thousands of years old, and visit the monuments – from different historical periods - in your host communities.

P a g e | 7

1

Religion in Egypt Islam in Egypt The Holly Qu’ran is the primary religious text of Islam. It is a collection of the revelations that Mohammed received from God during the period of his mission. Some of the revelations address universal principles, some address particular situations facing the first Muslim community, some are retellings of familiar Biblical stories. The second written source of guidance is called Hadith, the ‘report’ of the deeds and sayings of Prophet Mohammed. Muslims believe in One, Unique, Incomparable God, in the Angels created by Him, in the prophets through whom His revelations were brought to mankind, in the Day of Judgment and individual accountability for actions, in God’s complete authority over human destiny, and in life after death. Prayer constitutes an important part of the Islamic faith. A Muslim should pray five times a day – each of the five prayers has a specific time and Muslims are called to these prayers by Azzan – the call for prayer - which can be heard from each and every mosque. When praying, a Muslim must be in the state of spiritual purity which is achieved by proscribed ablutions. Muslims can pray at any place, as long as it is purified, for this purpose, majority of them use prayer rugs. When someone is praying, s/he should not be distracted; should not be spoken to and if the television or radio is on it should be tuned down or turned off. No one should walk in front of someone while praying. The Islamic or Hijra calendar is based on a lunar year, as opposed to the Gregorian calendar which is based on the solar year. It is made of 12 lunar months of 29 to 30 days each. Islamic holidays follow the Islamic calendar.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim lunar year. During this special month, all able-bodied, adult Muslims are required to fast (no food or drink) from sunrise to sunset. This is done in memory of the revelation of the Qur’an to Mohammed, which began during Ramadan. Although fasting is considered beneficial to the health, it is regarded principally as a method of self-purification. The fast begins at sunrise and ends each day at sunset when the first meal of the day is served Iftar. Another important meal Suhur is usually served 2 hours before sunrise. These two meals are usually eaten in the larger family circle or with friends, serving as festive social occasions. Eid al-Fitr Holiday (end of Ramadan) At the conclusion of the month of Ramadan, on the first day of the 10th month of Islamic lunar calendar, Muslims all over the world celebrate Eid al-Fitr. This is one of the two main festivals of Islam. Eid al-Adha Holiday is a holiday commemorating Abraham’s readiness to sacrifice his son to God. It takes place the day following the ending of the pilgrimage to Mekka, i.e. 40 days after Eid al-Fitr. On this day, Muslims sacrifice an animal –usually a lamb – or give an amount equal to the cost of a

Keep in mind… The Egyptian culture is greatly influenced by religion, and so it is not unusual (nor considered rude) that people ask you about your religion and people will do this to try and get close to you, since religion plays such a big role in the lives of many Egyptians.

Many Egyptians find it difficult to understand that there are people who do not believe in God or who do not follow a certain religion. If this is the case with you, then you need to be prepared for such questions, and to think of your answers carefully and respectfully.

P a g e | 8

1

lamb to the poor. For those who sacrifice an animal, the meat is given to needy people and a portion is kept for the house’s own consumption. People usually organize a big feast on that day.

Christianity in Egypt

There are different Christian denominations living in Egypt. You will find that a significant number of them are Catholics, Protestants or Maronites, but the vast majority follows to the Coptic Orthodox Church. You will find different churches, where, if you wish, you can practice at all times. Ask your host family or local volunteers on how you can access different religious services. The Coptic Orthodox Church is based on the teachings of Saint Mark who traveled to Egypt in 61 A.D and brought Christianity along during the reign of the Roman emperor Nero. The name Copt comes from the early Greek name for Egypt, Aigyptos. The Coptic Church maintains its own Papal Leadership separate from that of Rome and is often categorized as one of the Eastern Orthodox faiths. The Copts have seasons of fasting matched by no other Christian community. Out of the 365 days of the year, Copts fast for over 210 days. During fasting, no animal products (meat, poultry, fish, milk, eggs, butter, etc.) are consumed. The “Great Fast” is largely observed by all Copts, 40 days of fast commemorating Christ’s fasting on the mountain, climaxes with the Crucifix on Good Friday and ends with the joyous Easter. During the different fasts, some – or all - of animal products (meat, poultry, fish, milk, eggs, butter, etc.) are not allowed. Unlike many Christians around the world who celebrate Christmas on December 25th, Egyptian Copts celebrate Christmas on January 7th.

People of Egypt

Family life

Family in Egypt is very important, and plays a major role in people’s lives. The term family here includes not only the nuclear family (father, mother and children) but extends also to grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and cousins of cousins. The father holds a position of great responsibility in the family, and is treated with high respect. Egypt is a patriarchal society, and hence, the man is the head of the family. The mother is an essential member of the family, in that she is responsible for the upbringing of the children. Their behavior is always a reflection of her motherhood. Egyptian mothers are very attentive to the needs of their families, teaching their children how to be respectful and independent while preserving the norms and traditions of the culture. Children treat their parents with utmost respect at all times. That also means that in the Egyptian family the parent's opinion is not negotiable and most children are not used to arguing with their parents, they usually obey the parents, accepting their rules. The amount of freedom given to children by their parents varies greatly from one family to the other. Most children live with their parents until they get married, and as there are a few working possibilities for teenagers, they are usually economically dependent on their parents until they become well established in their careers.

Keep in mind…

Methods of discipline and scolding differ from one culture to the other. Please respect the way that your host family might use in scolding their children. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to discuss them, especially with your counselor.

P a g e | 9

1

Usually, Egyptian family members spend a lot of time together, in socializing with friends and family, going out to dinner or the movies, shopping, watching television and so on. Family time is precious time, and many families in Egypt (in spite of the fast pace of life) place a very high value on family time. Try to participate in as many family activities as possible because your host family will be disappointed if you do not share their activities with them. While Egyptian families encourage their children to go out with their friends and to make their own independent social life, family, in Egypt, comes first. A family does not need to have plans to go out, do something over the weekend or have a special event scheduled in order to spend time together. Family members can simply be together to have a meal, watch television, talk about their day or simply be there together. You must be very careful not to make your family feel that you are more interested in going out than in spending time with them. Host families do not like to feel like a hotel, where a participant goes home to eat, shower and sleep. Your host family may not tell you directly that they want you to spend time with them, but they will certainly feel that way. Therefore, it is advisable to tell your family beforehand if you have plans with your friends, so they won't expect you to gather with them on that day.

Always remember that your host family has opened their home to you in an effort to promote

cultural understanding. They have volunteered because they want you to be part of their family life. Be courteous, polite, and at all times grateful for their wonderful gift and efforts. Never forget to say "thank you" at different times… host families appreciate small signs of appreciation. Going out It is also important to know that going out during the week, going out frequently, or staying out late at night is not common among Egyptian teenagers. Usually, families have strict rules concerning going out, especially during the week. Although Egyptians are late people most young people have an early curfew that parents strongly enforce. Ask your family when they expect you to be home. Always inform them in advance of any plans to go out, with details of who you are going out with, where to and how you will get there and back. This reassures your host parents and builds trust. Usually parents and older brothers are really protective, especially about girls. In general boys are allowed to stay out later and more often than their sisters. If this happens in your host family, do not feel that they do not trust you, they just consider you as part of the family; they are treating you like their daughter!

Relations with Host brothers and sisters

You may or may not have host brothers or sisters in your new host family (and if you do, they might be older or younger than you are). If you do, this of course could be helpful for you at the beginning because they can introduce you to their friends, show you different places and give you great tips about teenage life in Egypt. However, we recommend that you not to rely too much on them. There is a great chance that you might not have the same interests they have. You might not get along well enough to become best friends. This situation is normal and if it happens don't feel disappointed; in your own family, your brother or sister are not necessarily your best friends. You still can have a good relationship with them and you can try to invite your siblings to some of the activities you plan, such as going to the cinema or spending an afternoon with school friends. Trying to have a good relationship with all the members of the family is the key for a good experience. On the other hand, you should be aware that feelings of jealousy may develop during the program. You become a new member of the family, and indirectly can cause changes in the routine of your host family. You are seen as the one needing more help, care and affection. All that attention may cause your host brother or sister to feel a little isolated and jealous. Try to be understanding and sensitive about the problem. A good way of avoiding or limiting this feeling would be by including your host brother or sister in your adjustment efforts; seek their advice, take your questions to them and let them know about your feelings. We recommend that to solve any kind of problem the best way to start is to talk and always have open communication.

Our host families

Our host families represent the diversity of our society and culture. They come from all walks of life. They are professionals, workers, housewives, businessmen, doctors, and teachers. They have different socioeconomic backgrounds. Some of our host families are liberal, most are however

P a g e | 10

1

conservative. Some have traveled abroad, most have not. Most of them had a child participate on an AFS program; some of them hosted an AFS student before. In some families the father works abroad, or it is a single-parent household (divorced or widowed parent). Some host parents are young, others are older. Some have no children; others have up to 3 or 4 children, or more! We have Muslim families and Christian families. Some of them live in the countryside, and others live in the city. Some speak English, and other languages, and others don't. Our host families are all different, with diverse backgrounds, but they all have one thing in common: they all want to open their homes to an AFS student, and to go through the experience of intercultural learning with you. Host family rules As an exchange student, you are expected to abide by the host family rules. These rules may differ from what you are used to back home, but this is part of the experience. Many Egyptian parents expect their children to follow their rules without arguing or discussing them, and this is an expectation your host family will have. Host family rules can include: using different appliances at home, times for receiving phone calls, using the computer and the interned, curfew, dating, etc. Please make sure that you understand your host family rules and be aware that you are expected to follow those rules at all times.

Egyptian Teenagers

In their free time, Egyptian teenagers mostly meet their friends to go to cafés, sports clubs, and the cinema or to shopping malls if available in your city. Although teenage boys and girls here sometimes mix together at schools and at universities, there are certain "rules" that need to be followed. It is, for instance, not very common for a girl to go out with a boy on her own; they rather meet together with other friends. These boy-girl relationships in Egypt are somewhat unclear and definitely confusing for exchange students in the beginning. [For example, a friendly hug between members of the opposite sex may be easily misunderstood.] It is advisable to check with your host family about their rules concerning going out with friends and dating. It is very important to take their opinion about the people you choose to develop friendly relationships with! The concept of dating for teenagers is usually not accepted by most families in Egypt. This can differ from host family to host families, of course. Often times even open-minded, “modern” host families are not comfortable with the idea of their teenage children having boy/girl-friends, and the same applies for their hosted son or daughter. Please, be aware that sexual relations among teenagers are not accepted in Egypt, since pre-marital sex unacceptable by the Egyptian society and culture. Exchange students who are sexually active during their program run the risk of program termination and an early return. Back home, you may enjoy a great deal of independence and being in Egypt could be a big change for you. Egypt is a conservative country, and most of our families will act in a very protective way towards you, as they do towards their own children. Please do not regard this as a threat to your independence, because it is not. It is simply the way Egyptian families show their love and care to their children. It is important to talk to your family about your feelings and needs, and to also try to understand theirs. Because Egyptian teenagers might not enjoy the same amount of independence you do, you can often have the feeling that you are much more mature than they are, and that a friendship is not possible at all. Making friends is difficult in every country, not only here; you have to try hard to know and understand the young people around you (in school, projects/activities, clubs, etc). We are sure that you can learn a lot about them and their lives. Remember that every person you meet will have something you can learn from. It can also be very interesting for you to join some specific activities after school (at your project, in the club, etc), In small groups, it is easier to make friends, communicate and meet people with interests similar to yours. Please talk with your counselor and host family about this, and they will help you explore the possible options.

P a g e | 11

1

Greetings

Egyptian men usually greet each other by shaking hands, and sometimes by kissing on the cheek. Women usually kiss each other on the cheek. When a man greets a woman they shake hands or simply nod their heads to each other saying "as-salamu alaykum". It is very uncommon that a man and a woman kiss each other on the cheek. When entering a building or even a bus, people will often greet the others by saying "as-salamu alaykum" (even if they don't know them) – don't be surprised when you hear a whole group answering "wa alaykum as-salam" in return! It is not uncommon to see men walk hand in hand or link arms when they walk in the street.

Communication style

You probably know that cultures differ in their styles of communication, right? Well, as you enter a new culture, one of the main challenges you will have to deal with is differences in styles of communication. Most Egyptians tend to be rather indirect as they communicate with others. This means that a lot is understood from the context of the situation or the relationship, rather than by the actual words. Many students find it confusing in the beginning of their experience, but this is something you can quickly learn to deal with. Please be prepared to dealing with ambiguous situations and do not let your feelings of confusion of frustration stop you from understanding the Egyptian style of communication.

Concept of time

When you come to Egypt, you will need to adjust your biological clock as well as your social clock! Some people say that in Egypt, "time is round", and this is very true. Be prepared to train yourself to relax and quickly change your concept of time. Once you arrive in Egypt, you will realize soon that things in Egypt happen at a different, slower pace (except for the driving). For example, your host family might tell you about plans to go out at a certain time, but then don’t adhere to the time and will probably be late. Do not take it personally. Of course this can be difficult to understand, and a little frustrating. This lack of punctuality may occur at school, in your project, with friends and in any activity you may join. So at some point or other you will find yourself waiting for something or someone. We recommend that you do two things: talk with your host family and friends about anything that bothers you, and also learn to BE PATIENT!

Concept of Space/Privacy

Many of the new cultural aspects that you will encounter in Egypt may differ greatly from what you are used to. One of them is the particular Egyptian concept of space. Like the Egyptian heritag e is greatly influenced by the tribal community-oriented element of our culture, the concept of space is shaped in the same way. It is very common for Egyptians to "touch" each other while having a conversation and this can range from the more common "hi five" to touching someone's knees, arms, hands or shoulders.(However this always happens between the same gender only.) It is also not uncommon to see two men or two women holding hands as they walk in the street. Egyptians can also stand or sit very close to each other; closer than the norm in other cultures. Please notice that the privacy concept so important in many cultures has a different definition in Egypt, although of the same value. Try to be open-minded, remember that this is not better or worse than your country, it's just DIFFERENT. At the same time, it is important that you discuss your own ideas of privacy (such as personal items) with your host family early in your stay.

P a g e | 12

1

Egyptian food

Each family is different and therefore it is hard to generalize when it comes to eating and cooking habits. In general, Egyptian families like to eat at least one meal together; then again you might be staying with a family that likes to eat out a lot. The same goes for the food that appears on the table, it may be a different dish each day or maybe the family likes one particular dish and it is served very often. Also, some families like Egyptian cooking, others might combine Egyptian and international cuisine. It we were to generalize this is how you average day might look like: you will either have breakfast before you go to work or school in the morning or you take sandwiches with you and have them at around 10 or 11 am. Many Egyptians do so and have breakfast at their school or place of work. The main meal is lunch and it is served rather late (compared to other countries) at any time when all the family gets home, from perhaps 3 o’clock to even around 5 pm. Dinner/supper is taken at any time before you go to bed. It is advisable to try to get used to the eating hours quickly because your host family will be very disappointed if you do not bring a lot of hunger with you for the main meal. If you are vegetarian, please be aware that this is uncommon in Egypt, and that you will need to draw people's attention to the fact that you are vegetarian – sometimes you will need to explain what it means for you. Often times, people will think that as long as they separate the meat from you the rest of the food, you will be fine. You will need to be flexible regarding your eating habits, and to make independent choices. Sharing food is typically Egyptian. It is expected if you are eating anything to offer to those around you to share with you. If you eat alone, it is considered selfish. Also please ask permission before eating something because it might be someone else's food, even if your host family tells you to 'eat whatever you like'. It is more polite to ask beforehand and even before opening the fridge. If you want to cook something, also ask your host mother if you may and how to use the stove.

Cleanliness and hygiene

Cultures differ in their definition of what is clean and what is not clean. You may find certain aspects of your daily life completely different in terms of cleanliness from what you are used to. For one thing, it is very common in all Egyptian homes to have an occasional cockroach or gecko. Ants, flies, mosquitoes and other flying insects are also common. This is because of our climate and terrain that we have insects in our homes and it does not mean that the home is not clean. The same goes for dust. Compared to your home country you might find that in your Egyptian home there is more dust – again, that does not mean that the house is not clean, the dust settles here faster and there is more of it, especially in bigger cities. You will encounter differences of perception when it comes to other aspects of cleanliness, and it is important that you keep an open mind when you encounter such differences. Do not hesitate to take your concerns and questions to your host family or counselor.

P a g e | 13

1

Schools in Egypt The school system in Egypt is diverse. It encompasses schools that offer either the National Curriculum or a variety of International Curriculums, or both. Schools offering the National Curriculum are either state-owned public schools or private schools. All international schools are private.

Some AFS students are placed in private international schools that offer the American, British, French, or German, system of education. In these schools, most subjects are taught in English, which is a very good opportunity for students to learn and improve their English skills as well as their Arabic skills. Most students attending those schools are Egyptians, which offers AFS students the opportunity to make Egyptian friends and to practice and improve their Arabic. Some students are placed in public experimental schools, which offer a different experience from

what you are used to at home; their curriculum is taught partially in English and Arabic. Many of the subjects are taught in Arabic and students are all Egyptian. This is a good opportunity for you to improve and perfect your Arabic. In all cases, schools in Egypt are a very different experience. The schools will focus on advancing your skills, so it is very important for you to actively participate in the classroom and to do your daily homework assignment. It is the student's choice to actively participate in the class and to finish their homework on time or not. You may find that some of your Egyptian peers could be loud or noisy during the class, and that some of them may not pay attention to the lecture. This is also a choice those students make. While their behavior could be distracting to the other students, we strongly encourage you to ignore them and to concentrate on your school work. AFS expects all students to attend school regularly, to participate actively in the class, to complete all assignments and to pass their exams and achieve good grades. At the end of the academic year, you will receive an official transcript with the courses and grades you achieved. The school will place you in the class it sees most suitable to your academic achievements and age.

Packing – What should I bring along?

Clothes

Since Egypt is an Islamic country, you should pay attention to the types of clothes that you bring along. Girls should try to bring "conservative" clothes, this means: * Trousers/ skirts should be long (below knees) and not too tight * T-shirts/ blouses should not be sleeveless or belly-baring. When you come to Egypt, you might be surprised to see some Egyptian girls actually wearing tight, sleeveless shirts on the streets. Be sure that this is not widely accepted and most families strongly view this style of clothes as a sign of cultural disrespect. Apart from that, you will already receive enough attention for being a "foreigner" – you don't need to

Keep in mind…

Schools in Egypt may be much easier than what you are used to back home. Please be prepared to committing to your schoolwork, even if you find it less challenging. We also encourage you to find ways to keep busy during your free time. Your host family and local volunteers will be happy to assist you.

P a g e | 14

1

attract more attention because of the way you dress! Also, be sure that the Egyptians will treat you with very much respect when they see you trying to adjust to local traditions in terms of dress and appearance! Advice for young men is also general: Don't bring clothes that draw attention, such as orange pants or a pink jacket! Shorts are not accepted everywhere (again, the length should be below knees), so bring enough long trousers. If you have long hair, you might face problems, since people are not used to men with long hair. You might be invited to some events that require more formal clothes such as a wedding or school prom. Bring at least one outfit that is suitable for such an occasion or bring some extra money to buy something in Egypt. Sidewalks in Egyptian cities are not well-maintained and are less comfortable to walk on than the ones you may be used to. It is strongly advised to bring comfortable shoes with you! Walking with high-heels on some of the sidewalks can be a true adventure… It is true that during the summer the weather in Egypt is very hot. However, in winter (December to March), it can be quite cold, so heavy clothes will be necessary, such as a jacket, pullovers, warm socks etc. Bear in mind that central heating is not common in Egypt, so it is cold inside the houses as well – don't forget warm pajamas/nightgowns, and a robe is also useful.

Medicine

In general, all kinds of medicine are available in Egypt. However, if you are on certain specific medication, we recommend that you bring your prescription with you, or bring enough of it with you, in case you do not find it here.

Gifts

It would be nice to bring some symbolic, not necessarily expensive small gifts, such as typical things from your country or hometown, for your host family. This will help to break the ice in the beginning and families will be very happy to learn something about your customs. It is also a nice idea to bring some little presents for friends that you will make while you are here in Egypt. Please know that alcoholic beverages (or chocolates with liquor) are not an appropriate gift in Egypt.

Material about your country

You will be asked by different people on various occasions to tell them about your life back home. Be prepared for that by bringing some information material, such as photos of your home-town, your family and friends, postcards, a flag, a map, tapes with typical music. Your host family might ask you to cook something typical for them one day, so bring at least one recipe of a typical dish along. If there is a national costume in your country, it would be nice if you could bring it with you as well.

Keep in mind…

Don't make the mistake of bringing too many things with you! You will be able (for instance) to buy all the regular sanitary products that you need (such as shampoo, soap, lotion etc.) in the supermarkets and pharmacies around the city. In the different shops, shopping malls and bazaars you will also find clothes for reasonable prices if you don't stick to international brands.

P a g e | 15

1

General advice

Communication

We understand that you will have a desire to communicate with your family and friends back home, to share your experience with them. While this is understandable, it is important to know that excessive communication with people back home could be hindering to your experience. We strongly recommend that you keep your electronic communication to a minimum, and that you actively engage with your host family and in your community. You will have plenty of time to share your stories with friends when you return home.

Mail

Post office hours are usually Saturday to Thursday, 8 am to 2 pm. Air mail letters between Western Europe and Egypt generally take around one week to ten days, two or three weeks to North America and Australia. It is best to send letters from a major city. Blue mail boxes are for overseas mail, red ones for domestic post. If your family or friends want to send you a letter, they should use ordinary stamps and not put anything inside the envelope except the letter. Anything else might attract the custom officers' attention and simply "disappear".

Phone

Egypt’s telephone system has greatly improved over the past few years. Local phone calls are not expensive; however, long distance calls, GSM calls and international calls are. Unlike Europe and the US, Egyptians usually do not have access to international phone calls from their houses, as it is expensive. If your family does have access, please ask beforehand if you can make long distance phone calls and check the rates. Be prepared to pay the bill, so be aware of the rate. Another option would be to buy phone cards, available in various small shops conveniently located, and even in supermarkets. Phone booths are also widespread. You can buy cards for these phones in supermarkets, pharmacies and other small shops. If you like, you can bring your mobile from home and get a local SIM-card for it here in Egypt. Most of the young people use mobile phones, and your host-family will also be glad to be able to reach you at any time. Anyhow, please note that AFS Egypt strongly discourages the excessive use of mobiles to stay in contact with your family and friends back home as this might interrupt your adaptation to the Egyptian culture!

Internet

Although access to the internet here in Egypt might be cheaper than it is in your country, it is quite expensive for Egyptians. Even if your host-family has internet at home, we strongly advise you not to spend too much time in front of the computer. Apart from being expensive, excessive use of the internet also interrupts you from your adaptation process. If your host-family doesn't have internet at home, you can access the internet from one of the countless internet-cafes around the town.

Don't forget that every hour spent in front of the computer is an hour that you don't spend with your new Egyptian family and friends! Please ask your host family how long you're allowed to stay online. Also, check to see how long your host siblings are online and try to stay on for the same amount of time.

P a g e | 16

1

Public transportation

There is a great variety of transportation means available in Egypt, such as different types of buses, taxis, and the subway. You should check with your host family as to what type of transportation they recommend for you. In general, AFS Egypt suggests that you always carry the name of your host family, their address and phone number in both Arabic and English, as well as the contacts of AFS Egypt’s office. The address of your destination in Arabic might be useful too.

Taxi

Depending on your host city, taxis have different colors. Taxis in Cairo are white whereas taxis in Alexandria are black/orange, for example. There are no fixed points where taxis wait, but you can easily stop a taxi by standing on the side of the road and giving a hand-sign to the driver. Taxis in most cities don't use taximeters and taxi drivers tend to exaggerate the fare if their passenger is a foreigner. Check with your host family or friends about the price you should pay for certain distances and then don't pay more than this amount of money to driver and simply get off the taxi. Riding a taxi is probably a lot cheaper than in your home country, so it is good option if you don't want to ride the crowded public buses. There are also The smart phones applications like Careem

or Uber but there only exist in a few cities in Egypt not all.

Metro

Cairo's subway reaches the main areas of Greater Cairo. At 1 L.E. per ride it's a fairly cheap way of getting around town. There are two coaches towards the back of the train designated for women only which allows a safer, harassment-free trip. Anyhow, during rush hours the metro is very crowded and just getting on the train may be very difficult. Other cities do not have a metro service.

Mini-/ microbuses

You will see a lot of small buses in the streets. Most of them are just vans, look old, are driven at high speeds and they don't have any sign providing the destination. Using these buses is quite scary at the beginning, and it will mainly depend on your host family whether they "introduce" you to this means of transportation or not. Some Egyptians don't use these buses at all, others do all the time. They are convenient in that they are quite cheap and readily available. A word of advice for girls, please do not get on a microbus at night if it is empty.

Weather The climate of Egypt is characterized by a hot season from May to September and a cool season from November to March. Extreme temperatures during both seasons are moderated by the prevailing northern winds. Egyptian summer is hot and dry in most of the country and humid in the Delta and along the Mediterranean Coast. In recent years the humidity has spread to Cairo and the city swelters in August. Winter is mild with some rain, but usually there are bright, sunny days and cold nights. During the summer time, sun protection is the most important single consideration for living in Egypt, especially for the fair-skinned. Wearing some sort of hat is also essential. Your clothing for this season should be light and comfortable, 100% cotton clothing is the best. Girls, if you bring a swimsuit with you, please bring a one-piece one that is conservative. (In certain sea resorts, bikinis are common, however be aware that on public beaches such attire is unacceptable. Also, you need to be respectful towards the standards of your host family: if they are conservative they will most probably not approve of bikinis even in a resort where it might be common for girls/women to wear them. Boys, men in Egypt usually do not wear slips, but opt for looser swimming trunks.

P a g e | 17

1

In the coastal region average annual temperatures range from a maximum of 37° C (99° F) to a minimum of 14° C (57° F). Wide variations of temperature occur in the deserts, ranging from a maximum of 46° C (114° F) during daylight hours to a minimum of 6° C (42° F) after sunset. During the winter season desert temperatures often drop to 0° C (32° F).

The most humid area is along the Mediterranean coast, where the average annual rainfall is about 200 mm. Precipitation decreases rapidly to the south; Cairo receives on average only about 29 mm of rain every year, and in many desert locations it may rain only once in several years !

There are 50 days called (Khamasin) between the end of March and mid-May, during which sand storms can occur sporadically. These sand storms blow in different places according to the wind direction.

Winter weather is colder than most visitors anticipate and Egyptian homes are not equipped to have heating during winter. Bring warm pajamas, you will need them.

In addition to the weather conditions, the high air pollution found in Cairo should also be mentioned. It is a matter of serious concern, causing the weather to be even warmer and more humid in summer. Air quality in Cairo has reached dangerous levels of lead, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and suspended particulate matter concentrations due to decades of unregulated car emissions, urban industrial operations, and chaff and trash burning. No doubt this environmental situation will cause you some impact during your stay in Egypt. Although different people are affected in different ways, some of the symptoms are to have headache, have your eyes, throat or skin irritated. A short period of adjustment is needed; most visitors get used to it. However, it is recommended that on really bad air days you stay at home to avoid the exposure. If you have a pre-existing breathing problem, such as asthma, it is strongly recommended that you discuss this situation with your physician before traveling to Egypt.

Money The Egyptian currency is the Egyptian Pound (L.E.). One L.E. equals 100 Piaster. 1 Euro. = 10 Egy pounds (April 2016) There are different bank notes for the value of: Five Piaster, ten Piaster, quarter pound, half pound, one pound, five pounds, ten pounds, twenty pounds, fifty pounds, one hundred pounds, and two hundred pounds. You will rarely find coins as you mostly receive notes, but there are coins for the value of five, ten and twenty-five Piaster, recently also 1 pound. The bank notes have Arabic and English numerals, coins use only Arabic numerals. To give you an idea about the costs of living in Egypt, we have listed a few things that might be of interest for you: Cinema ticket: 40 to 60 L.E. Meal at McDonalds: 35 – 45 L.E CD with Arabic music: 30 L.E. Ticket for the metro (in Cairo): 1 L.E. Falafel-sandwich: 1.5 - 3 L.E. Can of coke (at a small shop): 3 L.E. Pair of jeans: 200 – 1000 L.E

P a g e | 18

1

Public holidays Schools and businesses close on public holidays, and it is usually announced in the news and national newspapers.

Apr 25 Sinai Liberation Day

May 1 Labor Day

May 2 Sham el-Nassim

Jun 18 Liberation Day

Jul 23 Revolution Day

Aug 15 Wafa’a el Nil (Flooding of the Nile)

Oct 6 Armed Forces Day

Oct 24 Suez Victory Day

Dec 23 Victory Day

Dec 31 New Year

Jan 7 Eastern Coptic Christmas

Jan 25 Police Day and also 2010 Revolution day

Christian (Coptic) holidays: Holy Week and Easter

Islamic holidays (dates change according to the Islamic calendar): Eid al-Adha, Islamic New Year, Eid al-Fitr.

Electrical Appliances The voltage in Egypt is 220 V. You can find electrical adaptors here to fit your devices to the Egyptian voltage.

Your stay with AFS Egypt

Entering Egypt - your first day

Upon your arrival at Cairo International Airport you will be met and welcomed by AFS volunteers in red T-shirts. They will take you directly to your "welcome orientation" or “survival” orientation. This is not about how to survive in an earthquake or how to find your way out of the jungle; it is about getting important information on local AFS contact-persons, the program, cultural aspects etc. – and to meet the other participants who will be staying in your chapter with you. You might stay overnight before your host family picks you up the next day. This is when you should rest after your trip, and be fresh the next day to greet your host family with a BIG smile .

The six- week orientation (for Year Program-participants only) Approximately six to eight weeks after you start your program, you will have a small get together [for two days and one night] with other participants and volunteers. This time is dedicated to discussing your first impressions about your new home, explaining any “awkward” experiences you encountered and

Metric system The metric system is the system of measurements in Egypt. This should help you with your conversions:

1 ounce 28.3 grams

1 pound 454 grams

1 kilogram 2.2 pounds

1 inch 2.54 centimeters

1 foot 0.3 meters

1 yard 0.91 meters

1 mile 1.61 kilometers

P a g e | 19

1

answering your questions. The purpose of this orientation is to meet you again after you have "tried" being in your new culture, and to discuss with you what it takes –based on your experience now– to make the best out of your stay in Egypt.

The Mid-stay orientation About half-way through your stay in Egypt, you will be invited to the so-called mid-stay orientation. You will meet the other participants again for this weekend and some of our volunteers will evaluate your experiences together with you and they will help you to adjust things for the second half of your stay.

The pre-departure-orientation (for year program-participants only) After being in Egypt for such a long time, it will be time to say good-bye soon, and to start thinking of going back home. This orientation, which is for only one day, is dedicated to discussing with you how you are feeling about going back home. It helps you start saying your good-byes here in Egypt, and helps you think of ways in which you will take your experience back home with you.

The End of Stay-orientation You will spend the last day and night before you fly home together with the other participants and some of our volunteers in a hostel in Cairo. This orientation aims to evaluate the program and to prepare yourself for returning to your home country.

AFS Support

Throughout your program, AFS will work hard to provide you with the necessary support. This includes the staff, network of volunteers, host family and your counselor. Your AFS counselor is a volunteer who is dedicated to helping you through difficult times. In case of a misunderstanding with your host family, dissatisfaction at school or CPO, feelings of homesickness, or anything else, your counselor is always available for you. You will be introduced to your counselor, either before you arrive or upon your arrival, and we encourage you to communicate openly with your counselor. It is better to discuss and resolve confusing issues with your counselor early, before they develop further. Please do not consider your counselor as the 'problem solver' because that is not their job. They can help you by giving you advice and guidance, but it is primarily up to you to solve your problems. Having a good relationship with your counselor will help you to adapt better and you will benefit from having the experience of an Egyptian counselor by your side, so reach out to your counselor. They are here for you. Your counselor will contact you at least once a month, if not more. S/he will also contact your host family and school/CPO. Please feel free to initiate contact with your counselor at anytime needed, and not to wait for them to call you. Your counselor is there for you for anything you might need and not only when you have trouble. It is a good idea to work on a strong relationship with your counselor and to share your good times and experiences too. You will also receive a document prepared by AFS Egypt called “Safety Tips”. Along with this pre-arrival handbook, both documents were designed to help you as you prepare for your experience. We ask you to read them both carefully, and to bring them to your welcome orientation in preparation for more discussions.

P a g e | 20

1

Want to know more? We highly encourage you to start reading about Egypt, as part of getting prepared for your experience. Please remember that any piece of information, no matter how simple it might appear to be, will certainly be valuable. A good place to start will be this welcome handbook of AFS Egypt: Ahlan Wa Sahlan! Below is a list of useful websites that you could browse. Be sure of the credibility of your sources, and when in doubt, ask your local volunteers.

http://www.sis.gov.eg/En http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt http://www.who.int/countries/egy/en/ www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/eg.html www.lexicorient.com http://www.egypt.gov.eg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt http://www.cultnat.org/ http://www.culturewheel.com/ http://www.naseershamma.com/ http://www.metimes.com/ http://www.egypttoday.com/ http://www.cairodining.com/ * Many books written by Egyptian authors have been translated to several languages. Try for example to find a book by famous writer Naguib Mahfouz in your local library.

We wish you a wonderful experience, and looking forward to meeting you!

P a g e | 21

1

APPENDIX

P a g e | 22

1

Appendix 1 Some Useful Words and Expressions

English Egyptian Arabic (transliteration)

No La'

Yes Aiwa, or naam

Thank you Shukran

You're welcome, not at all Afwan

Welcome Ahlan wa sahlan

Answer (to welcome)

Ahlan beek (male)

Ahlan beeky (female)

Ahlan beekom (group)

Good morning Sabah al kheir

Answer (to good morning) Sabah an noor

Good evening Masaa' al kheir

Answer (to good evening) Masaa' an noor

Pease be upon you (Egyptian most common

form of greeting, equivalent of hello or hi) as-salamu alaykum

Answer (to peace be upon you) wa alaykum as-salam

How? Izzay?

How are you? Izzayak? (To a man)

Izzayek? (To a woman)

I am fine Kowayess (a man)

Kowayessa (a woman)

I want to/ I would like to… Ana ayiz (a man)

Ana ayiza (a woman)

Please Min fadlak/ law samaht

Who? Meen?

Where? Fein?

P a g e | 23

1

Appendix 2 Stories about Egypt Laura from the USA: "When I first arrived in Cairo in late August 2004, I noticed two things right away…the hot weather and the noise. I loved the hot weather because I had heard about how nice the Red Sea was and I love to swim and go to the beach in the summertime. However, I wasn't very amused with the noise. Everywhere I went, I heard horns honking, music playing and the calls to prayer. After thinking about the noise over and over again, I realized that I couldn't avoid it. The noise would always be there and there was nothing I could do to change it. As the days went by, I became accustomed to hearing honking and music all the time. Then, in October, I experienced my first Ramadan in a Muslim country. I didn't know what to expect but as the time of fasting began, I realized that it was one of the most peaceful experiences I had encountered in Egypt. The streets seemed quieter and people woke up later in the day. The noise I had previously heard was less but was replaced by new sounds. Every night at 2am or 2:30, the musharati would walk down my street banging on his metal drum and praising Allah. I would sit on my balcony and watch him in awe. I began to understand what he was doing and I couldn't believe how dedicated he was. He never missed a single night during Ramadan! This new noise that I heard was something that I will never forget. It truly touched me and it was at that point that I really gained a better understanding of Muslim culture and a genuine appreciation for the noises of Cairo. As Ramadan progressed, I began going out with friends for iftar daily. It was such a nice time of the day. Sitting with your closest friends at an outdoor restaurant or tent and waiting until sunset to celebrate and share a meal together really makes you feel that you are part of something. Although I am not Muslim, I felt the essence of the faith that surrounded me. It was a time when I felt at home in Egypt and welcomed by everyone around me and I'll never forget it. Angela from Germany: "Cairo is huge! Reading about 18 million inhabitants is one thing – suddenly living in their middle, being part of them and having to move around is something different. You never know when you are going to reach your destination. Somehow you can't even be sure that you will reach it at all. The traffic is enormous, and during rush-hours everything gets stuck. Sometimes I was close to going insane when I was sitting in the taxi or the bus without moving at all. After a while, I started to accept these problems and since then I do like the Egyptians do: I shrug my soldiers and tell myself: "malish" – "never mind". I guess they're right: I can't change anything about it anyway. So, I'd rather have a look out of the window, watch the people in the streets and marvel at the fact that I still discover new things every day, although I have been taking this road for almost three months now to get to work in the mornings and back home in the evenings… Two weeks after my arrival my host-sisters and their friends took me on a felucca-ride on the Nile. Feluccas are little sailing boats that can be hired for an hour at different places in Cairo. I fell in love with this immediately! We hired the boat sometime in the late afternoon – so we would be able to watch the sunset. The first thing I realized as we left the riverbank was the silence and the peacefulness around us. We left those millions of people and cars behind us and we would just see the lights of the city from far away without being bothered by the noise… I have taken a felucca again afterwards and every time I enjoy it as much as I did on my first felucca-ride. It's a very helpful means of getting away from the city for a while when I feel exhausted of the 18 million people around me! There are so many exciting and interesting things to do, see and experience in this city "that never sleeps" and everyone who is willing to "ignore" pollution, noise and traffic jams can't do anything but feel at home in Cairo!"

P a g e | 24

1

Anne from Switzerland: When I think about my stay in Cairo, I have many memories, but one that comes to my mind immediately is the taxi!!! This was something new for me because in Switzerland I had never taken a taxi. Sometimes it was really funny, but sometimes it made me nervous. When I remember all the situations where I took a taxi, I just keep the good memories and laugh about them. For example, the first time I took a taxi I was with my host-sister and two neighbors and we wanted to get back home. We entered the taxi and we couldn’t close the door. The taxi was very old. It was normal for them, but for me it was strange. Suddenly one of the doors opened by itself. We tried to close it but we couldn't manage so the driver slowed down and with a certain force, he was able to close the door. We were all laughing. I had many other experiences with taxis. Once I was with my brothers and we went on the "6th of October"-bridge and the car was so old that the gear was broken. Right at the moment we got into the car, we saw that everything was old and didn’t work well, but as we were already inside, it was too late to change. So the taxi ran slowly on the bridge and the driver couldn't manage to change the speed, so we stayed in second gear. We went at 40 km/hr…so slowly, but the driver wasn’t disturbed at all!!! At the end of the bridge, the car made a loud noise and black smoke escaped from the car. The car didn’t go anymore but the road went down, so we continued rolling along. After some seconds, the car stopped. The driver was trying to repair his car when the car was running, but without success. He stopped the car at the edge of the road. My brothers were in shock. For me it was not a surprise, it was just funny. Then I told my brothers to get out of the taxi and pay just two pounds. Of course if the taxi was alright, we would have to pay more, but in this case I thought it was enough. The driver didn’t say anything. We changed the taxi and when the second driver saw that our first taxi was broken, he began to laugh! We have talked about that for a long time after this event. At the moment I was stressed because I didn’t know what could happen. But now it’s just something funny I remember. I took many other taxis: alone or with someone else, it was always the same: the taxis aren’t the same as in Switzerland; it’s not bad and it’s not good, it’s just different!!! Taking a taxi was a big deal for me at first, but with time I “learned". Many times funny things happened, but I don’t have any bad memories about these taxis! Really, I think we shouldn’t have any bad first impression. I mean even if something bad happens the first time, we have to look at it as a good experience and think about this. Lucas from Switzerland: Every day I have to ride the school bus for more than one hour and a half, one hour to get to the school in the mornings and forty minutes to come back in the afternoons. During this hour and a half, I usually look through the window to observe and discover. But before I get on the bus, I have to wait in front of butchery... and normally it is the time when the butcher wakes up. He sleeps in his butchery with all kinds of animals like rabbits or chickens – and they are still alive! I usually can see the garbage man with his wife and child as well, sitting on a carriage pulled by a donkey. They go like this from street to street trying to find garbage to pick up. Then I take the bus and we turn around in the area where I live. After we have picked everybody up, we go on the highway that is known here as the Ring Road. This road crosses a big area where you find fields for agriculture, but it is still part of the city. There I can see the farmers working. They do all the work with their hands or with help of the donkeys or horses. They farm all kinds of vegetable and some fruits. After they have gathered and put them on their carriage, you can see them everywhere in the city trying to sell them by shouting the name of the product to attract people. After leaving this road we finally reach my school.

P a g e | 25

1

Paul from Germany: Like many developing country’s Egypt and its capital Cairo are full of microbuses. 186 days long or for half a year I took almost every day a microbus. Going, shopping, to school, to work, to language classes or to explore Cairo and the Cairene people, it was my means of transport. I was almost always the only foreigner in such a microbus with 15 passengers. Meeting normal Egyptians, doing what they do every day and feeling like they feel sitting side by side and being in traffic jam or shake for a while. In comparison to a taxi you are treated like everybody else during the trip and especially with the payment at the end. Cairo is full of microbuses but this system works without signs. So taking such a microbus is connected with contact to locals otherwise you can’t even find the right one either in the street or at a big microbus station. Many of the busses have a shouting boy inside. On a big station it’s like on an auction square and they all want to get you as the customer. They shout the destinations with a rhythm and a special pronunciation and I’ll never forget the shouts I followed to so often. For many destinations shouts and signs are combined, and signs are more professional. Taking my bus to work every morning I had to stir with my index finger in the smoggy air beside the eight line Haram street. I jumped on the next stopping bus to Rimeyya. Coming from everywhere I had to call for a bus to Giza station. The thumb and the little finger pointing to the ground and shaking the whole thing and the next bus took me home. My Egyptian home was near the Giza station and the Haram Street. This area is full of very old VW busses. The door is always open and you easily find a bus where you can sit beside three others in a line. You’re on the edge, half in and half out of the bus, but in the middle of the whole scene. The traffic is chaotic and the long ago collapsed speakers are playing some Arabic pop with maximal volume. Every ride and every bus is full of new people, full of unique stories. I was invited to museums, shops and to a trip through Cairo several times but one day also to read the Koran. As a part of the normal Egyptians life also the microbuses were influenced by times of religious celebrations. With the sunset, Muslims around the world start eating and drinking again during the holy month of Ramadan. At one day during this holy Muslim moth, the total traffic jam extended my journey and I saw the sunset through the window of the microbus. The fruits and the drinks waited the whole day long in the passenger’s bags and now they were all taken out. The Egyptians call each other “amm” that means uncle and in this situation they shared with unknowns, like with relatives. Although I fasted, I had nothing with me. I was the foreigner and a member of another religion but they offered me all they had and I had to take something. These buses are often moved on their physical limits. Some tires are left till they explode and therefore are the new one on the top of the car. For the safety of the whole trip and to prevent the tired eyes of the driver to close, there is the open holy Koran beside the driver and some religious verses on the radio. The metal hand of Fatima at is to prevent the evil eye. Some busses where painted all over with hand reprints of animal blood after the Opferfest. As a male I faced almost never problems by taking a microbus but I had to more or less guard a German girl as we once drove to a concert by bus. She had to sit next to the window and I had to be the only man sitting next to her. I asked the driver for the fee and it was one pound. I gave him one pound but he rejected. He rejected several times till I gave him two pounds. As my friend tried to pay he rejected her money, because she was included in my fine. Either I was considered as her guarding brother or boyfriend; I was expected to pay her fine. Being a girl and taking a bus alone can animate passengers to get in contact or even to grab you. Back here in my rural German village I have to recognize that there is a bus timetable but except three times a day there is no bus. In Cairo there is no timetable but there are busses and friendly people around 24 hours a day. I’m looking forward to point my thumb and my little finger to the ground shaking it and taking the next stopping bus shouting Gizaa, Gizaa---Gizeh

P a g e | 26

1

Bruno from Brazil My exchange to Egypt dates back to middle 2005. I left Brazil in a rainy winter day and I arrived in Egypt in a hot summer night. As soon as the airplane's doors opened – and the hot air of Masr took part inside the plane – I understood that I was not in Brazil anymore and that my life was about to change. And it really did. I can't tell you about my whole year in Egypt in these few lines I've got. But I can try to explain you why I tell people now: I love Egypt. First of all, I must tell you about Cairo, that crazy city. While I was there, I used to say: “Oh, how dirty and yellowish/brownish this city is. But it's great.” Cairo is great because you fell alive in there, you are always in a rush which makes your blood run faster in your veins. As fast as my beloved micro-buses without doors and the insane taxi drivers all over the place. I did not use to have many peaceful moments, on my own, but one of them included cars. I really used to enjoy to be stuck in traffic. That was a moment for me to read, to observe the Egyptians around me and specially to understand what it meant for me to be in Egypt. The Egyptians taught me how different I can be, and how happy I can be within that difference. The year I spent in there changed all my old concepts and behaviors I used to have, and to believe in. The things I saw, that I did and that I learnt were a total surprise for me, cause everything in there was so unexpected from me. Some “silly or usual” things for the Egyptians, like singing 'Uncle Aly had a farm, ee-i ee-i oh' in Arabic, eating fool for breakfast, or praying five times a day, were so weird but at the same time so beautiful for me. One of my favorite activities in Cairo was to get inside very crowded and popular places like cheap restaurants or public buses (even some mosques sometimes), just because of this: I enjoyed the unknown Egyptians around me to think that I was Egyptian also. I liked the “feeling like an Egyptian”, I used to felt that I belonged to that place. I was, finally, one of them. Although, by the time I was one of them, it was time to leave the country. And yes, it was very sad and I cried like a baby. Now I am back to my country, to 'reality'. Sometimes I feel like the period in Egypt was just a dream, but, often when I close my eyes, I can remember the sound of the boiling water to prepare the tea, which I used to drink while talking to my host brother... sitting on the kitchen's floor!! I would have so much more to tell you about what happened to me in there, but all you have to know is that it does not matter “the bad or difficult” moments I had in Egypt. I will never be able to stop being a little bit Egyptian, and I love that.

P a g e | 27

1

Special thanks to our dedicated volunteers and participants for their valuable

contribution:

Ahmed Hafez (EVS 2004 to Denmark)

Angela Verweyen (EVS 2005 to Egypt)

Anne Cuendet (YP 2004 to Egypt)

Bruno Bortoli (YP 2005 to Egypt)

Erica Canepa (Intern)

Fareeda Atwan (Illustrations)

Laura Khoshaba (Sending assistant)

Lucas Wettstein (YP 2005 to Egypt)

Maria Ballore (Intern)

Nagwa Takla (AFS Volunteer)

Paul Vochezer (CS 2004 to Egypt)