Experience in Cairo, Mohamed's Egypt

What is Cairo like for you? Do you recommend it? How is it?

Greater Cairo is a gigantic metropolitan city which is made up of 5 smaller cities: Cairo, Giza, New Cairo, Helwan and 6th October) which home many different cultures at the same time. From the ancient monuments to the modern ones left behind from the European conquests and the ones left behind throughout the Muslim phase.

View of Cairo from the top of Cairo Tower

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I would recommend the city to anyone who wants to Arabic and the Arab culture. Cairo is considered as the Paris of Arab culture and the Arabian Hollywood.

What's the student atmosphere like in Cairo?

Student life in Cairo is very interesting. There are a lot of international universities, for example: AUC, GUC, AAST etc. which are private universities. Then, there are the public universities which are CU, ASU, HU and BU.

You can find a lot of Egyptian, Arab and foreign students there.

How much does it cost to live in Cairo?

1€ = 8. 5 Egyptian pounds.

You can rent an apartment complete with 3 rooms in the centre (there are various centres in Cairo). I don't need to say any more.

Was it difficult to find accommodation in Cairo? Do you have any advice for other students?

Mi advice would be to contact a student in a similar position as you, or follow the advice of your hotel there.

Cairo is a big city and each part has its own charm so don't worry if you don't find accommodation close to whichever university you're studying at, because in one way or another, you're going to end up enjoying yourself wherever you live.

What is the food like? What are some of your favourite dishes?

The food is tasty. International varieties of food also exists. Mi advice is to always ask how spicy something is because we use a lot of spices in food.

Whoever likes meat is going to discover another world and other ways to cook meat.

Whoever is vegetarian will also find delicious food.

Breakfast is very tasty and consists of beans, falafel, cheese with tomatoes, eggs, salad and bread. Egyptian tea is also drunk with or without mint, Turkish coffee is popular and is called "ahwa" which is the same name that we us to describe the cafés too.

One of the things that makes Cairo stand out to me is the constant smell of food in the streets or inside buildings at 4 in the afternoon. The enormous varieties are so big that you can find something new nearly every day or a new restaurant to try every day.

For anyone that likes eating but not cooking can order everything they want from the supermarket to be delivered for very good prices. Cairo means food 24/7, there is always somewhere that's open for food. There are no problems when it comes to food in Cairo.

Which places would you recommend visiting in Cairo?

The castle of Salah el Din, the pyramids, the Egyptian museum, Tahrir square and everything in the centre, Garden City, Zamalek, Khan bazaar, the Khalili, Azhar park, the opera house, the amusement park "Dream Park", the City Stars mall (which has 7 floors), old Cairo (Islamic Cairo) and a lot of other places.

Salah el Din Castle

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And eating in Cairo? Can you list some of your favourite places?

Spectra, Nile City, Elbrens, Hamada Sheraton, Kebab Farahat, Syrian shwarma places, Gad and Arabiata for beans and Egyptian breakfasts, the Koshary Embrator (Koshary is an Egyptian food which is totally vegetarian and usually eaten for lunch).

Which places would you recommend for going out in Cairo?

In Zamalek and in Maadi - you'll find a lot of clubs, bars and pubs there.

Alcohol is expensive in Egypt because it's prohibited in the Muslim faith which is totally dominant here. But you can find alcohol without any problems in clubs and hotels.

There is also an imperial boat which is also a club on the Nile.

Amici, Roof Bar in Suncity, Tamarai, Sofitel disco, Cairo Jazz Club and lots of other places in New Cairo.

Beer isn't expensive starting at 5 Egyptian pounds up to 20 Egyptian pounds. Cigarettes are cheap costing 25 Egyptian pounds for Marlboro for example.

Any advice to give to future students thinking of going to Cairo?

Try as many different places as you can because you'll always find somewhere with a different flavour which is more delicious than the last place.

For people who have problems with the sun and in heat, the temperature in summer can reach 42-43 degrees easily, but the climate is dry.

Public transport is a little disorganised but taxis don't cost much. You can go from the city of Nasr to the pyramids (which is about a 40 KM journey) for 80 Egyptian Pounds.

You can haggle for a lower price of things in the vegetable market or the bazaars.

There are other places of interest which are nearby such as Alexandria, Fayed and Ain El Sokhna.

Ain el Sokhna

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