Learning Arabic in Egypt 2024 - Student Journey (Advice and Costs)

Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah,

Brother Abdul has recently returned to the UK after spending two years in Egypt. 

Below he shares an overview of the different aspects students need to consider before travelling, expected costs and useful advice for your travel. 

His recent return means the costs are relevant as of August 2024.

 

Learning Arabic 

 #### Tuition Centers (Markaz)

- Popular centers include: 'Fajr Center', 'Lisanul Arab', and 'Al-Ibaanah', often located near each other.

- Class sizes vary depending on the center:

  - Some have 7-13 students per class and others may accommodate 20-30 students.

  - The syllabus across different centres can vary and the strengths of each approach.

  - Regardless of which centre, if you complete a full syllabus, you should develop to a good level.

- **Arabic Course Structure**:

  - 15 levels, with each level lasting a month. You must pass a test at the end of each level to progress.

  - Most centers use the book ‘Bayna Yadayk’ to teach vocabulary and conversation, supplemented by separate grammar books such as 'Ajroomiyyah'.

  - Centres will normally ask you to complete a test to decide which level you will enter at.

- **Costs**: £50-150 per month, depending on the center and exchange rates.

  - Classes run 5 days a week (Saturday to Wednesday), 2-2.5 hours daily. Centres which charge more may offer 3-4 hours daily.

  - The number of level vary according to the centre you choose.

 

#### 1-2-1 Arabic Lessons

- **Costs**: $3-5 per hour.

- Teachers can visit your residence for lessons, with payment typically arranged per lesson or monthly.

- If you aren't attending a markaz, consider significantly increasing your 1-2-1 lesson hours. Alternatively, use it as a supplement to markaz study.

- Teachers can visit you at your flat to teach and you will need to pay per lesson or per month depending on the teacher.

- Calculate (hisaab) the number of hours to pay (hours x (times) rate per hour)

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#### Tips for Learning Arabic

- If your primary goal is learning Arabic, combine markaz study with 1-2-1 tuition, using different books to cover more ground.

- If you're also memorizing the Qur'an (hifz), maintain balance:

  - Hifz in the mornings, markaz/1-2-1 Arabic lessons in the afternoons.

  - Allocate the rest of your day for preparation, or reserve Arabic lessons for your days off (Thursday-Friday).

- Aim for 30-60 minutes of revision for each hour of class time or tuition with a teacher.

 

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### Learning Qur’an

### Private and Public Quran Classes

- **Centres**: Options vary widely in terms of environment and rules. Some use masjids, classrooms, or rented rooms.

  - Be aware that in some areas, teaching Qur'an is illegal, though teachers may still operate discreetly.

  - Some centres have teachers that also hit the students.

- **Costs**: Typically £40-50 per month. Some free options exist which also provide food for the day, but they are very strict and have long waiting lists which can make them difficult to get into.

 

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### Ijazah (Qur'an Certification)

- A common requirement for ijazah is being a **Hafidh**.

- Your hifdh will be tested before starting the process. Some teachers may listen to a full juz per day, while others may limit it to a quarter.

- You may need to memorize a mutan (text), such as 'Tuhfatul Atfal' or 'Jazariyyah', depending on the teacher and if you learn more than one riwayah.

- **Costs**: Ijazah for a riwaayat (e.g., Aasim) typically costs around $200, but could be as high as $400-500 depending on demand.

 

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### Travel

#### Bus

- Extremely cheap at £0.14 per trip.

- To board, go to the main road and signal (raise your fingers) for the number of your destination.

- **Safety Tip**: Keep your belongings secure; pickpocketing can occur by individuals and groups. try to keep your belongings in a small bag which stays close to you with all your valuables (e.g. money, phone).

 

#### Uber & Alternatives

- A **7km ride** costs £1.40 by an Uber car and are more worthwhile if there are a couple of you travelling together.

- If you are alone, it is £0.70 for a **7km ride** if you take a motorcycle Uber, which is faster and cheaper.

- Alternatives like **DiDi** and **Indrive** are also available.

- Prices fluctuate slightly based on demand and traffic through the day.

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### Accommodation

 

- Most students stay around Madinat Nasr (Nasr City) which is well located for Arabic centres, fello students and teachers.

 - **Shared Flats**: Expect to pay £70-150 per month (including bills) when sharing with 2 others.

- **Private Rooms**: In Districts 7, 8, 9 or 10, a private room with air conditioning can cost £120-150 per month due to the area's demand and higher convenience for students.

- Most flats have 2 bathrooms (one large, one small) and a balcony.

- **Landlords**: Typically hands-off regarding repairs and issues; you'll likely have to handle problems or fixes yourself. Although the building caretaker can usually help or find someone to fix the problem. 

  - Always confer with other students with experience to understand prices you should expect to pay for repairs and replacements.

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### Food

 - **Cooking**: Learning to cook can save you money and promote healthier eating.

- **Fast Food**: Options are available for Western-style burgers, pizza, pasta, smash burgers and grilled food (£3-6), to local favorites like 'Deenameet' (a mixed wrap with hummus, falafel, and more).

-  **Local Food**: There are a range of local options which are much cheaper including koshary and local food shops selling cheap food like 'deenameet' which is Arabic for dynamite. They have a range of cheap and nice filling options like wraps/bread with hummous, kidney beans, chips, mash, sauce, boiled eggs, falafel etc. The breakfast at the local stalls sell fuul (fava beans) and other items which is filling and also extremely cheap if you're on a budget.

- **Groceries**: Available from local markets or larger malls. You will find most western brands but they are more expensive. It is worth considering local or alternative brands which taste similar and can be much cheaper.

- **Food Order Apps**: Many use the 'Talabat' app for fast food and groceries delivery. 

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### Water

 - **Drinking**: Avoid tap water. Most people buy bottled water (12x1.5L bottles or 19L large bottle) which will last you 2 weeks on average.

  - Some flats have water filters installed, making tap water drinkable. If you intend to stay for a longer period it is worth getting a tap filter installed so you can drink from your tap and save money.

- **Shower/Wudhu**: Hot water is available via gas heating which might require you to wait a few seconds when you switch the gas on, though technical issues are possible. There are also thousands of mosques with full wudhu facilities.

 

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### Drinks

 - There are a range of shops and local stalls that sell fresh juice and milkshakes with a vareity of fruits available.

- All flavours of drinks are available from fizzy drinks to juice cartons.

 

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### Environment & Safety

 - **General Safety**: Egypt is generally safe, but remain cautious with personal belongings and information. Keep all your belongings close to you and keep a manbag with your phone, money and passport. Ensure you wear a jacket or wear this under your thawb to avoid anyone snipping the strings or straps if they attempt to steal it.

- **Crime**: Certain areas, particularly those with refugee populations, may have higher crime rates. Be aware of your surroundings.

 

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### Weather

 - **Best Time**: October to March, with warm to cool weather.

- **Winter**: Similar months to the UK and lasts 1-3 months, cold in the mornings but moderate during the day. 

  - Carry a winter jacket if you travel in the winter and this should suffice.

- **Summer**: March to September is very hot, with a brief heatwave lasting 2-3 weeks.

  - Most people go out in the evenings or do shorter trips outside in the hot weather unless your travelling by Uber (usually have aircon) or other taxis.

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### Visa Process

 - You’ll need a visa to enter the country.

  - A 1-month visa** costs $25 and can be bought upon arrival at the airport or online before traveling.

- Once in Egypt, extend your visa at the embassy for 3 or 6 months (£60-70). Having someone guide you through the process is recommended which you can ask other students about.

  - The visa extension can be 3 or 6 months depending on the person you deal with at the embassy.

  - Families that have children studying at schools can get a 1 year family visa with a school letter.

- **Illegal Stay**: Some students choose to stay illegally and pay the fine upon leaving, though this can be stressful. The fine at the airport upon leaving will roughly be the same as extending your visa at the embassy.

  - For peace of mind it is better to get a visa from the embassy as it can cause stress when you don't have a legitimate visa. It can also cause issues if you get stopped by police.

  - Students sometimes opt for illegal stay as they visit the embassy and waste time without securing a visa extension.

- Consider applying for a 'multi-entry visa' to save time and hassle as this can secure 3 months for you.

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### Local Languages

 - Egyptians primarily speak '3aamiyyah' which is the local Egyptian dialect but fully understand 'Arabic Fusha'.

- English is also widely spoken by Egyptians at different levels and you will find thousands of foreigners across Egypt who are residing there for study, business, living and tourist purposes.

 

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### Money

 - Use a 'Starling' or 'Revolut' card for favorable exchange rates with no extra fees.

  - The current exchange rate is 60-63 Egyptian pounds for £1 Sterling.

 

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### Additional Tips

- **Always check for updated rates and prices** as they may vary depending on when you travel.

- **WhatsApp + Telegram**: Prior to going speak to students and find the relevant groups for westerns students which is a good support network and can help you navigate life in Egypt. If you don't know anyone prior, when you meet Western students, ask them and request them to get you added.