1. General Information ……………………………………………...
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2. Visa and Documentation ……………………………………….
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3. Cairo International Airport …………………………………....
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4. Financial Information ..…………………………………………
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5. Major Cities ……………………………………………….........
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5.1. Cairo …………………………………….......……………
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5.2. Alexandria ………………………………………....…...
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5.3. Luxor …………………………………………….....…...
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5.4. Dahab ……...………………………………………….…
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6. Cost Guide ……………………………………………………….
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7. Transportation ………………………..…………………………
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8. Whether in Egypt ……………………………………………….
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9. Dress Code ...……………………………………………………
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10. Culture , Tips and goodies ……..........………………………….
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11. Surviving Tools ...…………………………………………………
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12. Keys to have a Successful Hosting Period ………………..…
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13. National Exchange Quality Board ..……………………………
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14. Contacts ………………………………………………………..
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1. GENERAL INFORMATION: Official Name: Arab Republic of Egypt Capital: Cairo Government: Republic Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP) (LE) Population: 80,335,036 (July 2007 est.) Religion: Muslim (mostly Sunni) 94% - Coptic, Christian and other 10% Language: Arabic (official), English and French understood by educated people Total Area: 1,001,450 km2 / land: 995,450 km2 / water: 6,000 km2 Calling Code: 20 Time Zone: GMT +2
Coming to Egypt…WHAT? Egypt, like many other Middle East countries, has a rich, mysterious past which is now embarking on an exciting, modern course. But perhaps more than any other Arab Nation, Egypt has a cultural history that is familiar to people around the world, because the ancient Egyptians have left such magnificent examples of art and architecture.
The stunning monuments of Ancient Egypt, its beautiful landscapes and its warm people never fail to astonish. The warm view and the light of the desert invigorate. The cool, turquoise waters refresh. A cruise along the world's longest river dazzles the senses. No place has the magic, mystery and pleasures of Egypt. Perhaps the most striking characteristic of Egypt is the way everyone is made to feel at home. The moment you set foot on Egyptian soil, you experience this typically Egyptian ease and friendliness. Egypt is a land of friendship and love. Every visitor feels that a part of his country, his culture and his civilization can be found in Egypt. And maybe there is!
Welcome to this wonderful country! We hope this booklet provides you with more detailed information about Egypt “the mother of all civilizations.”
2. Non-Egyptian travelers are required to have a valid passport. Entry visas may be obtained from Egyptian Diplomatic and Consular Missions Abroad or from the Entry Visa Department at the Travel Documents, Immigration and Nationality Administration (TDINA). Citizens of many countries may obtain a visa on arrival at major points of entry. The single-entry visa fees for the following citizens are as follows:
BRP 15
AUD 45
USD 15
CAD 26
EUR15 / USD15 Please check with your nearest Egyptian Consular mission for more details concerning visa regulations applying to your citizenship.
Citizens of Kuwait can obtain 6-month Residence Permit upon arrival. Citizens from: Bahrain, Guinea, South Korea, Libya, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Yemen
Receive a 3 month visa on arrival
Malaysian citizens receive a 15 day visa on arrival.
Citizens of following countries are currently required to have a prearrival visa, which must be applied for through an Egyptian consulate or embassy outside of Egypt: Afghanistan Algeria Armenia Azerbaijan Bangladesh Bosnia-Herzegovina Croatia Georgia India Indonesia Iraq Iran Israel
Kazakhstan Kirghizia Lebanon Macau Macedonia Moldova Montenegro Morocco Pakistan Palestine Russia Slovenia
Sri Lanka Serbia Thailand The Philippines Tajikistan Turkmenistan Tunisia Ukraine Uzbekistan Malaysia (If intending to stay for exceeding 15 days)
And all African countries (except citizens of Guinea and Libya, who do not require visa).
Those in possession of a residence permit in Egypt are not required to obtain an entry visa if they leave the country and return to it within the validity of their residence permit or within six months, whichever period is less.
3. Cairo International Airport It is the only airport inside Cairo and the main airport in Egypt. It has 3 Terminals: 1st Terminal: For international Airlines that don’t have partnership with Egypt Airlines 2nd Terminal: It is under construction 3rd Terminal: For all Egypt Air and all the international Airlines that have partnership with Egypt Air
What to do when you arrive to the airport? As soon as you have been matched with any LC, your name is going to be in list of interns coming to Egypt and you are supposed to have a pickup form any of the Reception Team, so you need to get: 1- The name of the pick up person 2- His mobile number 3- The mobile number of the LCVP of the LC you matched with
What to do when you arrive to the airport? • Don’t go with any Taxi driver, if you know that you are going to have a pickup. •If you didn’t find the one waiting for you, go to the Reception Desk and make them call AIESEC on the mic. •You can ask any of the people to give you their cell phone to call the LCVP. •Always have change to Egyptian pound, don’t use your currency or dollars (IF YOU DON’T WANT TO PAY A LOT OF MONEY), there is an exchange bank in all terminals.
Day OFF Friday and Saturday
Cooperates and NGOs
Days and Schedules for Banks Sunday – Thursday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Most Shops and Bazaars
Day OFF Sunday
200 EGP 100 EGP
20 EGP
Coins There is no bill above 200 EGP , we have (1,5,10,20,50,100,200) EGP bills
5. Major Cities
Please, remember to bring enough money with you for the first month, until you get paid.
Apartment
800 L.E.
Insurance on the apartment for 1 year (Down Payment). This amount is returned back to you once you leave the apartment.
1 Month (Around 2.500 – 3.500 L.E.)
Commission (if a broker is needed to get the apartment)
1/2 Month rent
Trips around Cairo
400 L.E.
Food and Beverages
700 L.E.
Transportation
300 L.E.
Pre-paid Sim Card
15 L.E.
These amounts may dramatically vary according to how much you are willing to spend.
Bread (Toast, Loaf)
6 L.E.
Cheese (Quarter pound)
6 L. E.
Apples (per kilo)
15 L.E.
Eggs (per piece)
1 L.E.
Coffee (Nescafe, 100 gr)
15 L.E.
Oil (1L)
12 L.E.
Rice (1 kg)
4,50 L.E.
Pasta ( 0.4 kg)
3,50 L.E.
Mineral Water (1,5L)
2,50 L.E.
Coca Cola (1L)
3,50 L.E.
Kellog’s Cornflakes (500 gr)
24 L.E.
Big Mac at MacDonald's
22 L.E.
Milk (1 L)
8,5 L.E.
Cigarettes (Package of Marlboro)
12 L.E.
In the cities, taxis are a very safe, cheap and convenient way of getting around. It has to be noted that while they are mostly safe there are sometimes fake taxis going around, so make sure they have official markings on the dashboard or elsewhere.
In Alex, the maximum amount of money that you’ll pay for a taxi is 20 L..E. However there’s no meter to tell you how much to pay, so you’ll have to haggle with the cabs. Here is a tip: if you want to pay 5 L.E., pay 3 at the beginning and then haggle your way to the 5. 0,25 L.E. Tram: It goes through the whole city, with Tram the Cornish (the street on the sea side). Note that the first car out of three is for women only and the other two are mixed.
Airport to Downtown
Metro
30 to 35 L.E.
1 L.E.
In Cairo taxis are black or white. However, only the white ones have running meters, so it’s better to take those in order to avoid arguments. The meters start at 2,50 L.E. Generally the best way to know the right prices from pointto-point is to ask one of the AIESECers for them.
Airport to Downtown
50 to 60 L.E.
Airport to hotel in Pyramids area
70 to 80 L.E.
Pyramids area to Khan El Khalili Bazaar
30 to 35 L.E.
If you have to take a black one, you try to negotiate the price before taking it.
Zamalek to Nasr City
30 to 40 L.E.
Zamalek to Maadi
25 to 35 L.E.
Downtown to Pyramids
Downtown to Khan El Khalili Bazaar Downtown to the Citadel
30 L.E. 10 to 15 L.E. 15 L.E.
English is often spoken by taxi drivers, but as this is not always the case, if you get your hands on a good English speaking driver it is wise to ask him for a card or a phone number, they can often be available at any time.
A extremely cheap, safe way to get around in Cairo is by Trum (Metro). The system consists of two operational lines, with construction having begun on a third line in 2006. Ticket price is 1 L.E. for each journey, regardless of distance. TIP FOR LADIES: In all Cairo metro trains, the middle two cars (4th and 5th) of each train are reserved for women (the 5th car becomes a mixed use after 21:00). These cars are used as an option for women who do not wish to ride with men in the same car; however, women can still ride other cars freely. Cairo Metro Line 1 is the first line of the Cairo Metro in Cairo, connecting Helwan with El Marg and consisting of 33 stations. Cairo Metro Line 2 is the second line of the Cairo Metro in Cairo, from Shoubra El Kheima to Cairo University, with an extension to Giza.
Egyptian streets are ultimately unique in that they abide by few rules. Driving is not the same as it is in other countries, where traffic lights are a big deal. Crossing the street also conforms by few rules, as it is not necessary for pedestrians to wait for a traffic light to cross. In some places, if you wait, you’ll never make it to the other end. So, people take the initiative and cross the street at any point on the road, one lane at a time. Sounds difficult… Suicidal perhaps!! Don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it, it’s one lane at a time, and you can wait in the middle for the next crossing car. The tricky part is that lanes are not necessarily always adhered to, so you just take it one car at a time and keep an eye on the coming cars! One rule that you have to follow in Alexandria is that you can cross any street, except for the Cornish (sea Side Street).
Egypt’s climate is hot and dry, except for the winter months of December, January and February that can be quite cold in the North. The average temperature range is from 20°C (68°F) on the Mediterranean Coast (and 26° C (80°F) in . However, temperature and can get up to 31°C (88°F) and 50°C (122°F), respectively.
At night in winter, the temperature sometimes falls as low as 8°C, in Cairo and along the Mediterranean coast. And in the dessert it is even more extreme. During the summertime, sun protection is the most important single consideration for an Egypt trip, especially for the fair-skinned. Wearing a sunhat is essential. Cheap, and pure cotton, sunhats are made locally and available everywhere. Travel clothing should be light and comfortable, 100% cotton clothing is the best and robust shoes are a must! The climate of Egypt is characterized by a hot season from May to October and a cool season from October to May. Extreme temperatures during both seasons are moderated by the prevailing northern winds.
Average Number of Rainy Days
Days
YEAR
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
34.7
4.6 Jul
3.8 Aug
3.5 Sep
2.5 Oct
1.5 Nov
0.5 Dec
---
0.9
0.9
5.4
3.1
8
11. Surviving Tools English word Yes: Perhaps: Impossible: Please: No: Possibly: Necessary: What Is Your Name?:
Arabic Word naam, aiwa Yemken mesh momken min fadlak (m. La Momken Daruri esmak eh?
How Are You?: Today: Tomorrow: Yesterday: I Speak English:
One
Wahed
Two
Atnien
Three
Talata
Four
Araba3a
Five
Khamsa
ezzayyak? en-nahar da Bukra Imbarih ana batkallem englizi
Six
Seta
Seven
Sabaa
Eight
Tamanya
Nine
Tesaa
I Don't Speak Arabic:
ma- Batkallamsh arabi
Ten
Ashra
I Don't Understand: Money: Change (Coins): Where Can I Buy...?:
ana mish fahem Felouss Fakka Fein mumken ashtari...?
Twenty
Ashreen
Fifty
kamseen
0ne Hundred
Meya
How Much?: It's Too Expensive: A Little: A Lot: Airplane: Airport: Bus: Ticket: Change: Station: Train: Suitcase: Departure: Arrival: I Want To Go To...:
bekam? ghali awi Shuwaya Keteer Tayara Mattar auto beass Tazkara Taghieer Mahatta Attr Shanta Zehab Wossoul Ayez arrouh ela...
One Thousand
Alf
Open mind
You will like some things about each other, and you will dislike others. Don’t judge, experience it!
Flexibility
You will encounter many differences when you compare your cultures and life style. Flexibility and tolerance will help you to understand and appreciate these differences and accept them as part of the exchange experience. Again, don’t judge, just experience!
Communication
The key to any successful hosting period is communication. It is not only an opportunity, but a responsibility. If you both communicate honestly and sensitively, the time you’re going to spend together is going to be much better. You must be willing to communicate in all ways as possible, using facial expressions and gestures if it may help. Making all efforts to communicate as better as possible will not only improve your fluency in other idiom but also make the living together period much better for everybody.
Courtesy and appreciation *
The most valuable compensation you are all going to have after this period together is the relationship developed. Small gestures will go a long way toward making people feel that you are grateful and appreciative of their efforts.
Involvement
Expect to make a genuine effort to establish a deep relationship. You can all sit down and talk about some programs that you can make together in order to have some fun, and also talk about cultural differences, dreams, fears, expectations, etc., intense moments that will turn this period into a magical experience for everybody.
13. National Exchange Quality Board While we do our very best to deliver the services AIESEC is committed to, when working with many people, from different cultures, differences and complaints are inevitable. In order to make sure AIESEC Egypt lives up to the quality standards as described in the Exchange Program Policies (XPP), AIESEC Egypt has a National Exchange Quality Board. Most cases of low quality can be avoided by adhering to the international and national exchange policies, as well as constant and clear communication. If a quality case arises, please understand that the optimal solution would be a friendly agreement between the parties involved. In order to raise a complaint, the following procedures must be considered:
Intern has a complaint or problem
Approach EP buddy In case of irresponsiveness Approach LC VP ICX (check corporate or noncorporate). NOTE: when emailing LCVP, CC de LCP of the responsible LC.
In case of irresponsiveness CC responsible MCVP ICX in emails (check Corporate or Non-corporate)
In case of irresponsiveness If after these attempts to solve the issue, the complaint still exists, the NXQB can be approached at : nxqbegypt@gmail.com
Please include: •Name, EP number, TN number, address and phone number. •The events leading up to the complaint, in bullet points. •All communication which took place with regard to the complaint. Within one week after receiving the complaint, the board will meet and discuss the issue. The maximum time for a decision is 12 days.
AIESEC EGYPT Member Committe
Tarek Attia National Director of Non-corporate Exchange Email: tarek.attia@aiesec.net Andrea Ca帽贸n National Director of Corporate Exchange Email: andre.canon@aiesec.net
Local Committees Alexandria LCVP C-ICX: Karim Abe ElAzeem Email: kareem.abdelazeem@aiesec.net LCVP NC-ICX: Osama Wael Email: osama.akl@aiesec.net AAST Cairo LCVP ICX: Mohamed Nagi Email: mn.nagi@gmail.com Project managers NC-ICX: Hamdy El Eraky Email: hamdy.eleraky@gmail.com Mohamed El Sawy Email: mohamed.mamdouh.elsawy@gmail.com AUC LCVP C-ICX: Mohamed Mehanny Email: mehanny@aucegypt.edu LCVP NC-ICX: Nourhan Abdelaziz Email: nourhan1.abdelaziz@aiesec.net CU LCVP C-ICX: Omar Emam Email: oemam89@gmail.com LCVP NC-ICX: Rola Tarek Email: rola.tarek@aiesec.net GUC LCVP ICX: Karim El Naka Email: karimelnaka@gmail.com LCVP NC-ICX: Dina Ismail Email: d.ismail89@gmail.com
EMERGENCY Local Emergency Phone Ambulance/Medical: 0 Fire: 03180 Police: 0 Emergency Numbers Ambulance: 123 Heliopolis: 634-4327 Maadi: 525-3873 Giza: 561-5551 Tahrir: 577-0230 Ramsis: 577-0406/577-0365/577-0123, Cairo Alex, Road: 045-551309 Police: 122 Emergency Police: 122 Traffic Police: 128 Tourist police: 126 Fire Brigade: 180 Heliopolis: 633-0954 Maadi: 525-3873 Giza: 761-0259/761-0258/761-0257 Tahrir: 391-5289.391-0115/391-1727 Ext.: 271 Public Utility Services - Electricity Emergency: 121 - Natural Gas: 129 - Water: 575-0059 / 575-7416