<p>My son, a junior, will be doing a semester of study in Cairo in the Spring, at the American University in Cairo. I am interested in any advice, experience, suggestions, warnings, etc from readers. Do you have a child who has had such an experience or know one? The sharing of any experiences will be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>My son spent last summer in Egypt in Cairo. He was 16, lived with a host family and had a blast. He was able to drink the water at his host families home with no problem -- but not public water. </p>
<p>I asked my son what to tell you and he said:</p>
<p>Be prepared for wild traffic and the call to prayer starting at 4:30am on the loudspeakers. Cairo is very dirty -- dust, pollution and just plain dirt. Plan on clothes that would look ok with some dust. My son says no one wears black (but he was there during the summer). </p>
<p>My son found Egypt to be relatively safe (he did take cabs, busses and trains on his own). Just be cautious -- like you would any place you go. My son was there during the conflict between Lebanon and Israel, and it was not an issue in Egypt.</p>
<p>Egyptians speak colloquial Egyptian -- which sounds different than MSA.</p>
<p>Your son can email my son at <a href="mailto:justin_hudgins@mac.com">justin_hudgins@mac.com</a> if he wants to ask specific questions.</p>
<p>It was a great experience!</p>
<p>Good for your son, Mom365. I spent a year and a half in the Middle East when I was just out of school, and it was the best thing I ever did. Your son will gain a rare and valuable perspective. Your friends and family will probably express concern for his safety, but I agree with hsmomstef; it shouldn't be a problem.</p>
<p>Mom365, I just got back from a teacher conference in Cairo yesterday. Cairo is to say the least an interesting place. Most of the time, Egypt is perfectly safe. I say most of the time. The last time I was there I was a faculty sponsor accompanying a group of students to a fine arts festival. I can't quite remember the year, maybe 8 or so years ago. We spent a week discovering the pyramids, museums, local culture and then went off to the festival. That morning, right as the festival started, 24 hours from the time we had been in the exact same area, a group of Greek tourists were machine gunned mistaken for Israelis. I swore I would never accompany other people's children to festivals we attend on a yearly basis in middle eastern countries. I haven't.</p>
<p>That said, Egypt is one of few countries in the area that would let me enter with Jewish stamps in my passport. I am not Jewish but had to go there with my son for medical reasons a year and a half ago, and I decided I would travel in the region only to those places who would accept my passport as is.</p>
<p>I love this part of the world and have travelled its breadth over the last 17 years. My son has travelled extensively here as well and loves it probably more than I do. One of his best friends is Egyptian and attends the German University in Cairo. They are getting together on the winter break. Thousands of international children attend school in Cairo; they live there with their families or are studying on there own. People will warn you. Those warnings are warranted sometimes when living anywhere not only in Cairo.</p>
<p>Thanks you so much for the very interesting sharing of experiences! Are there more?</p>
<p>My wife did 5 years in Libya 30+ years ago. Made the Libyans crazy with her miniskirts, good gams, and nice sway. She quickly lost your arabic tongue. Water is scrace so BO was a problem especially when the primary meat is lamb, goat, camel, and tough beef. Pork as expected is hard to find.</p>
<p>A then more civilized time.</p>