Egypt and Cairo: The Pitch
One of the Seven Wonders, a Mediterranean coast, one of the finest museums in the world: Egypt is one of the most visited tourist destinations globally for a reason. Whether you’re making your way through the bustling Khan el-Khalili market in Cairo, exploring the Valley of Kings in Luxor, or sailing down the Nile, you’ll struggle to run out of things to do. It’s one of the most vibrant and historically important locations in the world, with a far more forgiving climate than other Arabic speaking countries and a North coast that some say rivals even the most picturesque Italian beaches.
That’s the short pitch for visiting Egypt, but what tends to be ignored for these (still impressive) arguments is the case for living here. Egypt isn’t just a place to explore, but a place to settle down in. The best example of why that’s the case is the capital: Cairo, where the vast majority of teachers work, and where most of the country lives.
One of the best things about Cairo is its size – it’s large enough to accommodate each and every teacher, whether they want to be right the centre of a bustling city or in a quiet compound. Living in an area like New Cairo allows you to live at a slower, more peaceful pace whilst still having easy access to the capital, whereas a different area like Maadi offers a more authentic experience of the city, filled with trendy bars and cafes. For a break you can drive to the beautiful North Coast, where temperatures are lovely even during the summer, or to El Gouna, a town in Hurgada which is hugely popular with Egyptians and expats alike. Cairo offers a ridiculous wealth of options, both because of the near-infinite places to visit within the city itself and its closeness to the Red Sea and the Mediterranean.
However, living and teaching here can also be a smart practical decision: many International schools pay in foreign currency. Though that might seem an unglamorous reason to move, it acts as another layer of security for teachers. Moving so far away from home can be a daunting prospect, and knowing that your finances are secure is a huge reassurance for anyone. There only complication is that not every school pays in foreign currency, but luckily, we know which ones do! The cost of living is also far lower than most other Arabic countries, and teachers can afford a quality of life that’s simply unattainable in most places.
There are few places in the world that can offer what Egypt can. It is both a bucket list destination and an incredibly affordable country, where you can visit some of the most popular cultural sites in the world whilst living in a quiet, peaceful compound. There is something for everybody, and for anyone considering moving here, there are over a hundred international schools! Though finding the best fit can be difficult (that’s where we come in!), there’s a position for everyone, and there are still schools opening right now that would be perfect for teachers looking for something new and exciting.
