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Living and Teaching English in Egypt - Habits, Customs & Curiosities

Egypt has been one of the most visited countries on the African continent for many years thanks to its unrivalled number of extraordinary ancient monuments and artifacts.

It is also one of the most popular destinations in the region for teaching EFL due to a strong demand for language instruction in most major towns and cities.

If you like the idea of earning money in the classroom whilst being able to explore this fascinating country in your free time, check out these guides to various aspects of life in Egypt.

As well as general travel tips and advice, you will find some interesting facts about the country and some suggestions of places to visit and things to do.

Before setting off on your Egyptian adventure you need to make sure that you have a valid passport, the correct visa in place and that your vaccinations are up-to-date. During your stay you will also want to sample as much of the local cuisine as possible, particularly kebabs, falafel and shawerma.

This useful travel guide also offers a few suggestions on the best things to see and do, including absolute must-sees such as the Great Pyramid and Sphinx of Giza, the Valley of the Kings and Queens, and the Abu Simbel Temples. The sections on local culture and customs, as well as the basic guide to Arabic, might also come in handy before you set off and once you arrive.

Egypt is relatively well known around the world due to its unique ancient history, monuments and artifacts that have featured in countless TV shows and movies over the years. For example, did you know that the Statue of Liberty is believed to have been intended to stand at the entrance to the Suez Canal, or that Egypt saw the very first labor strike as far back as 1157 BC?

However, this list of 50 facts about Egypt is certain to contain many things that you did not know about this fascinating country. Other lesser known facts listed here include the fact that toothpaste was invented by the ancient Egyptians and there has only ever been one representative from Egypt in the Winter Olympic Games.

If you plan on staying in Egypt for any length of time there are a few extraordinary places that you simply have to visit and one of these is the Abu Simbel temples. Entrance to the site is relatively cheap at around US $13; however, you may need to get up very early in the morning to avoid the extreme heat during the summer months.

Located alongside the River Nile in southern Egypt, the two temples where famously relocated to higher ground in 1968 to avoid being lost forever under the lake created by the construction of the mighty Aswan Dam. While in the area you should also visit a few other famous sites such as Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Karnak.

If you visit Egypt for a short period of time or plan to live and work there as an EFL teacher, you are almost certain to spend some time in the capital city, Cairo. It also has plenty of suggestions of things to see and do in and around the city. Elsewhere you will find plenty of colorful street markets for those essential souvenir purchases.

Here you will find all manner of facts and history on the City of a Thousand Minarets, which is the largest in the Arab world. As well as the obvious must-see attractions such as the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx, which is the world’s oldest known sculpture, you can also enjoy a ride down the Nile on a traditional felucca sailing boat.

Located on the banks of the River Nile in southern Egypt, the city of Aswan is a busy trading center and a popular base for visitors to the many attractions in the area. Elephantine Island is also well worth a visit as there are several archaeological sites and other attractions to explore. Although the city is located almost 900 km from Cairo, it has an international airport which means you can avoid a long journey by bus or car from the capital.

Close by you can visit the mighty Aswan Dam which is considered to be one of the greatest engineering feats of the last century. The city is also within easy reach of the Abu Simbel temples which are among the most popular attractions in the whole of Egypt.