One of the many perks of working at Cairo American College, is living in a beautiful country that is so rich in culture and that has an incredible history. Because of its geographical location at the crossroads of North Africa and the Middle East, Egypt has a highly diverse society .
With an estimated population of over 100 million, Egypt is the most populous country in the Arab world. Within Cairo’s metropolitan area is evidence of every civilization in the 6,000-year history of the Nile Valley. The city is a center of culture and history.
There are countless travel destinations locally, and an abundance of activities for everyone to do. From the Mediterranean beaches in Alexandria to Marsa Matrouh and Fayoum (the largest oasis in Egypt) to the Sinai Peninsula, St. Catherine’s Monastery, Sharm El Sheikh, Nuweiba, Taba, Hurghada and the Red Sea destinations; the possibilities are endless.
Our school is located in the wonderful leafy suburban district of Maadi, Cairo. Maadi is well known for its abundance of trees and greenery. Many of the residents in Maadi are expats, so the general community is rather diverse. In addition, many fascinating archaeological sites are within a day’s drive from Cairo such as Giza, Saqqara, Memphis, Meidum and Hawarra. Near Maadi, there are two villages; Harrania and Kerdassa which are famous for their weaving and fabric.
Our community members have been enjoying the time to travel around Egypt and have delightfully shared with us some of their personal photos, capturing some of their favorite memories from their time in Egypt. On holidays, our community members will often book a getaway trip and travel around the country.
The Egyptian people are very well known for their warmth and hospitality. Egypt is considered a very safe country to live in for this reason. The official language in Egypt is Arabic, but most people speak or understand English. Egyptians are very friendly and always make the effort to understand foreigners. Employees in tourist locations often speak many languages in addition to English.
The Host City, Cairo
Cairo is the historical, political, and cultural center of Egypt. Within Cairo’s metropolitan area is evidence of every civilization in the 6,000-year history of the Nile Valley. The city is a center of Islamic culture and learning. Cairo is a heavily populated city with many challenges such as traffic and pollution. It is a mix of ancient and modern, where steel and concrete buildings meet limestone and sandstone. An international airport is located on the eastern outskirts of the city. To the western edge of the city are the Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx. The city continues to grow around the Nile River and the adjacent deserts.
The Host Village, Maadi
CAC faculty generally live in Maadi, a suburb six miles (ten kilometers) south of the center of Cairo. Maadi has historically been a quiet residential suburb with green gardens and tree-lined streets. The suburb is divided into many neighborhoods: Maadi, Degla (where CAC is located), New Maadi, Old Maadi, and Zahraa El Maadi.
New construction has been changing the face of Maadi. Over the past two decades, the suburb has doubled in size. Many schools, businesses, and embassies have been established in the area. Movie theaters, shopping centers, cafés, restaurants, art galleries, and fashion boutiques are now located in Maadi.
Touring and Outdoor Activities
PSMs living in Egypt have a unique opportunity to visit some of the most outstanding sites in the world. Cairo can be seen at your leisure if you’re armed with a guidebook, a map and a few words of Arabic. Tours and trips can also be arranged through travel agencies.
Apart from some restrictions in military areas, most parts of Egypt are accessible: Alexandria; the Mediterranean beaches, west to Marsa Matrouh; Fayoum, the largest oasis in Egypt; major cities of the Delta; and the Sinai Peninsula, including St. Catherine’s Monastery, Sharm El Sheikh, Nuweiba, and Taba. The Mediterranean beach west of Alexandria is beautiful, several resort hotels are there and reservations can be made in Cairo. Hurghada and the Red Sea can be visited by air or road. Many fascinating archaeological sites are within a day’s drive of Cairo: Giza, Saqqara, Memphis, Meidum and Hawarra. Two nearby villages, Harrania and Kerdassa, are famous for their weaving and fabric.
