By Leila Khalil
If I got a dollar for every time I heard this sentence, I would be able to afford to dine sushi for breakfast, lunch and dinner: “Eh da! You are from America?! WHY WOULD YOU MOVE TO HERE, TO EGYPT?!?!?!?!?!”
Egyptians never understand why a person coming from the glorious outside world would ever move to Egypt, and LIKE IT! While the country has its issues, there is no denying that Egypt has a certain inviting uniqueness to it that you just can’t find in Western or European countries. Here are the top reasons why Egypt has become a nestling ground for many foreigners:
We feel wanted
As an expat, you’re like gold here. Everyone wants to hire a foreigner in their office, and is willing to pay the big bucks! Our “native English skills” and “international experience” are desirable qualities that make us stand out.
The rich history and endless travel opportunity
Egypt is one of the oldest civilizations on earth, making it a hot spot for tourists and adventurers. From the colorful and exotic streets of Khan el-Khalili, to the awe-inspiring structures of Luxor and Aswan, outsiders often find it hard to leave behind these amazing treasures. For most Egyptians, visiting the Pyramids or National Museum sound ridiculously boring, but to us foreigners, it is pee-in-our pants exciting!
Sense of community
Growing up in the States, I can tell you that the feeling of belonging to a community was never as strong there as it is here in Egypt. You can always count on finding someone to lend you a hand when in need. This is something outsiders cherish very dearly.
Hospitality
Every person you meet has to invite you for dinner to meet their whole family! For a college student on a budget, this was a lifesaver!
Grocery shopping at 3 AM
OMG everything stays open here! For someone who grew up with stores and malls closing at 10 PM… (11 on weekends!), the ability to buy literally anything in the middle of the night is the most exciting and life changing thing EVER!!!!!
Delivery. To Your Doorstep. Anything you want. Anytime. Any place.
This is the ultimate deal-maker for any foreigner. In California, I heard Safeway was starting to have home delivery for groceries…that’s it. That’s all we have – one store. But here in Egypt, anything you could possibly want can be delivered! You can even ask the koshary delivery guy to stop by and get you an Etisalat phone card from the supermarket on his way to you. Coming from a country where you have to do everything yourself, this option makes Egypt a paradise.
Networking
In Egypt, the chances of someone knowing someone you want to meet are pretty high when compared to the US or Europe. It is so much easier getting good career connections here. Plus, you never know who you are going to meet!
The mix of old and new
In America, everyone is obsessed with being high tech and futuristic, which leaves no room for traditions and culture. This is something I truly love about Egypt – it allows you to feel human. Walking down the street you can see the old and new side-by-side just by looking at the people, architecture, art, and so on.
Weddings! Weddings everywhere!
Who doesn’t love being invited to a wedding? The delicious food, fun music, getting dressed up – it’s basically like going to a club for free! In Western countries, people usually live together before getting married, so it takes a while for a wedding to happen. But in Egypt, you could be invited to several in one weekend!
Shisha!
Shisha, argilla, water pipe, whatever you want to call it – we love it! Smoking shisha in the States or Europe is just not the same as smoking it here in Egypt. The flavors feel more authentic, and the environment completes the experience! The price is also way better!
