Miscellaneous, Cairo

Location
The main Language Institute is located in the heart of downtown Cairo, minutes away from the Egyptian Museum and within walking distance from Tahrir Square and the Metro station. You will find a wide selection of shops, restaurants, and cafés close by. The Language Institute is open 6 days a week Saturday to Thursday with Friday off.

Another Language Institute is located in the fashionable and calm suburb of Maadi, close to the metro and about 20 minutes by taxi from the city centre. This Institute is smaller and focused on special and individual tuition. It is located in a nice apartment, well equipped with access to internet. The school is moreover known for its friendly service and cultural programmes.

Studying in Cairo
In addition to your academic needs, a range of services is available: social activities, airport pick-up, accommodation services, and free on-line learning. Studying here provides you with a wonderful opportunity to see one of the most interesting cities of the world and the cultural centre of Egypt. Upon your arrival in Cairo you will be invited to an orientation session – an introduction to life in Cairo; the culture, safety, and more.
Students can use free wireless Internet at the Language Institute during office hours. You will also find free Internet access in the next door café.
You are advised to buy a local SIM card upon your arrival. This will facilitate the communication between you and the school if need be.
You can purchase your study books locally if you don’t choose to bring your own. The American university book shop at the same square (Tahrir) has all the books you will need.
For students intending to remain in Egypt longer than the initial one-month visa, visa extensions are quite easy and painless. The process takes about 2-3 hours and it is accomplished at the ‘Mogamma’ in Tahrir Square, directly across from the Language Institute. Student visas are unnecessary in Cairo as tourist visas are sufficient and less complicated.

Leisure activities
Newcomers to Egypt will want to sample Egypt's Pharonic history, such as the Pyramids, Saqqara, Memphis, and the Egyptian Museum. These places are easy to find but there are many other interesting and less crowded sites within a day's drive from Cairo.

Islamic Cairo (Old Cairo) and Coptic Cairo are fascinating parts of the city, both having excellent local museums. Islamic Cairo has survived virtually intact as it was spared the ravages of Mongol and Crusader invasion. Besides the famous mosques, you can enjoy exploring the souk (market) area known as Khan El Khalili. The modern Cairo Opera House presents international events in classical music and opera in sophisticated surroundings.

During school holidays and long weekends, the Sinai Peninsula and Red Sea are popular destinations. Scuba diving and snorkeling on the coral reefs are incredible experiences. Alexandria is also within easy access from Cairo. The desert oases of Siwa and Baharia, Farafra and Kharga will provide you with a peaceful break from the busy city life of Cairo. Then, of course, there are the wonders of Luxor and Aswan. Travel by plane, train or bus to any of these destinations is good for short holidays.

Examples of excursions arranged in an average month:
Giza Pyramids and Sphinx
Memphis, Dashur
Faluka trip and Sound and Light at the Pyramids
Alexandria
Egyptian Museum and Khan Khalili Bazaar
Old Cairo (old mosque and old church)
Suez Canal
The White Desert

Getting around Cairo
Buses, trains and metro run frequently but the fastest way of getting around in Cairo is by taxi. It is not expensive, but make sure you agree on the price beforehand.

Airport transfer & accommodation
It is about 40 to 60 minutes taxi ride from the airport to downtown Cairo. There is no underground line available yet from the airport. We can arrange for airport pick-up for you and we do recommend this. We want you to arrive comfortably. Although Egyptians are great hosts, it does not mean that the local culture always is open to accommodate strangers in family homes. This means we do not offer home-stays in Cairo. Most students therefore look into the option of sharing a flat with other students or book student rooms. Apartments in Cairo are usually spacious, with 2 to 3 bedrooms, single studio apartments are rare.
Please see more information under Accommodation in Cairo.

For more information on Egypt, please see Useful information about Egypt.