CDN female considering relocation

Hi It's nice to hear you're looking to travel, and you'd be made very welcome here.

Is there anything specific you want to learn about Egypt? There is so much we could discuss! Check the forum guide and overview for some basic information, or post your questions and there are usually lots of willing volunteers here to answer them

Elaine

Thanks for the welcome

I suppose my largest concern is moving abroad alone and my personal safety as a woman. Secondly, the availablity of Tourism related jobs (mainly hotels, resorts) for western expats. Third- accomadations and how one goes about securing a trusted apartment for a year lease.

Hopefully after being on this forum for awhile and poking around the posts I will be able to find everything I need

You ll be ok, as soon as you see about your business, and you live in a good area, where there are most expats. Sometimes they behave phony, maybe it s normal for them but not nice for a person that come from another culture. You could avoid this, dressing yourself in an appropriate way.
No being too many tourists, it s a problem with jobs in this field, what I know, even people that worked in hotels, resorts have lost their job. Maybe in the future, it will be better.
Concerning accommodation, a flat could be little expensive in a good area, but you could share a flat with someone. But if you find a job, they could provide accommodation for you.

It is nice to know that you chose to come to Egypt, by the way, for your information, egyptians love canadians alot
Just you have to know the difference between Egyptian Cultures, and Canadian cultures,
Concerning the accomodation, maadi and zamalek areas are great and elegant
But unfortunately the country is very crowded, and you will suffer in the traffic here, but the people are so sociable here and helpful, but you have to takecare too
Hope to see u soon  in Egypt, and you will find also alot of sweet expat friends,Elaine is onr of them, she is really a nice and cute girl, she is so helpful too
So we r waiting for u here sweet

Talanathas wrote:

I suppose my largest concern is moving abroad alone and my personal safety as a woman. Secondly, the availablity of Tourism related jobs (mainly hotels, resorts) for western expats. Third- accomadations and how one goes about securing a trusted apartment for a year lease.

I think I can only help with the first point, having been in that situation myself There are big differences to Western culture here as Semsema rightly pointed out (and thanks for the compliment), but no absolute rules. Western women get a lot of attention here, but it's mostly harmless (staring). My advice would be if you dress conservatively (don't show your legs, upper arms or neckline below the collarbone) in most places, you'll be ok. Other places are more liberal (Zamalek, Maadi) and you can dress down a bit (or dress up!)

In general you should be fine here as a woman, it's a lot safer than the media portrays, but you do have to use your common sense, be streetwise. No city in the world is entirely safe You can count on having lots of opportunity to make friends though, with Egyptians and expats as you please. There are loads of forums, clubs and societies and good night life here

I hope that answers a few of your concerns!

Elaine

Hello Talanathas,

First You are welcomed and i'm sure you will love your stay here,I can see from your words that you want to (test) first before you settle,You may come to cairo for 2 weeks forexample,see and check for what you are planning for.I think better to ask questions when you are here,because being involved is what matters in first place and is what arise inquiries as well.Help i can offer is if you are planning to stay for a week or two,you may have my flat and stay there.kind of host and you don't have to pay for anything, and no body is there by the way..i live with family,may be if you are also thinking to proceed somewhat with your studies,like doing MPA or whatever.I can help you with it..If you need to know about anything else let me know

Regards,

Thanks for the warm wishes and advice everyone I'm getting excited learning about the country- even though I wont be departing for some time, it's better to be prepared with as much info as possible

Im not sure if I will be doing a "test run"- flights from my city to Cairo cost about 1,600 CAD (9,711 EGP) roundtrip... so it's going to be a one shot thing for me lol

Do you think that if I get my certification to teach English as a second language, even without any experience, I'd be able to get a reasonable job with it? My primary experience is in Tourism, but the advice I'm getting about the field is looking pretty grim regarding actually finding a job as an western expat in a hotel.