Teaching in Egypt

Has anyone had a job teaching in Egypt?
I'm curious about the name's of any school's that you applied to or taught at in Cairo or Alexandria. I'm trying to get a contract as the primary hiring is in May-June. It seems most places want you to move there prior to being hired.
Any info would be great.

Hi Ivan, if or when you find a job in Egypt, I'd love to hear about your experience. I just finished my masters in teaching and learning and am ready to blast off to teach English abroad.... I'm weighing my options and looking to hear about other people's experiences.

Andrew

Hey man hows it going?
Well I did make it to Egypt to find a job, though I didn't get one. I can give you everything I know about it though.
The primary hiring is done from May to June.
Most schools or universities want people who have as many degrees as possible, you have a masters so it will probably be most helpful by opening more oppurtunities.

They also PREFER you to have four years teaching experiance as well, for the most part. I looked around Cairo and did find a place willing to hire me. However, they would only do so 6 months from that date. As I couldnt afford to live in Cairo for 6 months without having a job I returned home to canada. Most people will NOT hire you if your not already living in Egypt. This way they can avoid having to provide airfares and accomodations for their ESL teachers.
So if your planning on teaching there you must be prepared to go there and Wait to be hired.
Like I said however, you have a Masters, so they'll like your resume a lot more then mine.
If you take up residence there be sure not to live in GIZA, this is the area of the city where the pyramids are. It is the poorest and more dangerous area for non egyptians to live.

Maadi is the suburb of Cairo where most of the population is people who are teaching abroad or work at the local Embassies. The shops in the district are also more likely to sell western brands and cuisine. It is however, also the more expensive area to live. So remember that if your planning to move to Cairo. The best thing to do would be to get yourself a flat in Maadi paid up for a month or so. Then upon your arrival you have a home base to branch out from.

If your going to get a vehicle you need to remember one thing. There ARE traffic laws in Cairo, but NOBODY obeys even the smallest of them. Traffic is dense, aggressive and fast moving despite all the pedestrians, who will literally walk out into on coming traffic without looking or even caring. So take a local tour bus around and just watch how it all works. Its pretty scary the first couple times, and I have friends who drive pretty reckless.
NEVER drive at night if you can avoid it, and especially stay off the highways after dark as there are many different criminals on the highways.

As far as Egypt itself goes, Egypt is the most amazing place I've ever travelled to. A tour of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo is a MUST see for anyone's lifetime! Some of the most beautiful treasures imaginable are found inside.
The trip to the Giza Pyramids is something I'll never forget. Words cannot even describe how it feels to stand looking up the side of a structure in which the smallest blocks are up to my shoulders and weigh over 5 TONS.
You will Never forget a trip to Egypt, and it will change you forever. Just remember to stick to group tours and dont go out the the pyramids without a guide.

The preferred currency is American dollars, and almost everyone will want american currency over the egyptian pound. The current Exchange rate is: 100 Egyptian pounds which is equal to about $20 american dollars.
If you've ever been to a tourist trap where the run prices up "just because", then wait till you get a load of Egypt.
Be prepared to barter the costs of everything you buy as most people may try to run up the bill if the price isnt already on the products. So be careful for that.

The Egyptian people are very friendly and will try hard to please you, but be prepared to tip for it. Tipping in Egypt is important source of income so don't be surprised if they ask for a tip simply for taking your luggage from the cab, 5 feet to the front door. They will expect it, but don't Always feel obligated either.

The food was very...spicy. It reminded me a lot of Indian cuisine....Curryish. They don't like pork but have lots of chicken. Not much else I can think of in regards to that.

Don't drink the water and make damn sure you get your shots a few months before you leave!

Don't swim in the Nile either! Parasites that lay eggs in your skin live there! Unless the thought of bugs hatching out of your body sounds cool. You can swim in the ocean near the resorts, they have amazing reefs and such, but make sure you stay around those locations. They have really cute schools of Barricuda. Don't stay on the beach late in the evenings either unless your with local friends.

Thats about all I can think of. Hope it helps and answers any questions. When I went there I had to learn all this upon arrival because nobody seemed to know a lot about Egypt before I went.

ALso! when taking cabs...stick to the cabs that have Black and White Checkers on them! The other cabs should be avoided especially if travelling alone as they are more likely to try to rob you. Keep your address, in english and Arabic on you at all times so you can give it to the cabbies if they dont speak english!

ALso! when taking cabs...stick to the cabs that have Black and White Checkers on them! The other cabs should be avoided especially if travelling alone as they are more likely to try to rob you. Keep your address, in english and Arabic on you at all times so you can give it to the cabbies if they dont speak english!

Thanks for all the advice, Ivan! You've been really helpful. Although I do have a masters degree, I do not yet have 4 years teaching experience... Hmm, I think I'll keep my options open for now. Your account of the Pyramids and museums REALLY makes me want to go there, even if it's just for a vacation.

The key word here is they PREFER you to have teaching experience...you shouldnt have any problems getting a job with your masters...and yes, Egypt is a must see for anyone's lifetime, even if just a vacation.