American Family moving to Cairo

nonie · #1 (**permalink**) 4th August 2008, 09:53 PM

Hi there
My family is anticipating a move to Cairo (husband's job transfer) and we have LOTS of questions, primarily about the children. Our children have lived in a small midwestern town in the US their entire lives. Attend a small private Christian school. We are very excited about this new adventure we will be on...moving to Cairo. My questions are:

Has anyone moved their early teenage children from the US to Cairo...if so what was the experience, adjustment like for them?

Are there any private Christian schools in the expat community? If so, can someone supply me with those names?

As Americans moving to a Muslim country, are there any laws that we need to keep in mind...things we would not normally think of?

I'm assuming that the expat community is fairly tight knit. Are the kids welcoming? What do the kids do for fun in Cairo?

Lastly, my 13 year daughter (have a 13 year old son as well) is an equestrian. We're thinking about moving her horse over as well. We feel like this is a great chance for her to train under some amazing instructors. Does anyone know of any riding stables where riding lessons are given and horses or boarded?

Look forwarding to hearing from you!

MichelleAlison · #2 (**permalink**) 5th August 2008, 01:24 AM

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I am sure there is someone on this forum who can give you some advice.

Good luck with your move.

Michelle

Deeana · #3 (**permalink**) 5th August 2008, 06:19 PM

Hi,
Congratulations on moving to Cairo! Take a look at this page for information about schools in Cairo. The best ones are in New Cairo, a new suburb to the south of Cairo, and that is where you will find some of the best accommodation too, as well as the American University in Cairo, which has just moved from downtown to a new campus in New Cairo.

The British International School, Cairo - International Schools in Egypt Egypt Schools

Cairo is changing rapidly and becoming very much more modern. It is a very exciting time to be living there.

I know of one riding establishment only, which I could recommend, and it is in Heliopolis, adjacent to the Concorde el Salam hotel which I visit frequently.

I took my two young teenage children to Cairo to live in the early nineties, and they loved it. There are lots of clubs and groups for them (and you) to join. It will be very different from the life you know until now, but with the right attitude, which it sounds like you have, you will love it.

Regards
Deeana

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonie

Hi there
My family is anticipating a move to Cairo (husband's job transfer) and we have LOTS of questions, primarily about the children. Our children have lived in a small midwestern town in the US their entire lives. Attend a small private Christian school. We are very excited about this new adventure we will be on...moving to Cairo. My questions are:

Has anyone moved their early teenage children from the US to Cairo...if so what was the experience, adjustment like for them?

Are there any private Christian schools in the expat community? If so, can someone supply me with those names?

As Americans moving to a Muslim country, are there any laws that we need to keep in mind...things we would not normally think of?

I'm assuming that the expat community is fairly tight knit. Are the kids welcoming? What do the kids do for fun in Cairo?

Lastly, my 13 year daughter (have a 13 year old son as well) is an equestrian. We're thinking about moving her horse over as well. We feel like this is a great chance for her to train under some amazing instructors. Does anyone know of any riding stables where riding lessons are given and horses or boarded?

Look forwarding to hearing from you!

gr8fldb · #4 (**permalink**) 1st September 2008, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonie

Hi there
My family is anticipating a move to Cairo (husband's job transfer) and we have LOTS of questions, primarily about the children. Our children have lived in a small midwestern town in the US their entire lives. Attend a small private Christian school. We are very excited about this new adventure we will be on...moving to Cairo. My questions are:

Has anyone moved their early teenage children from the US to Cairo...if so what was the experience, adjustment like for them?

Are there any private Christian schools in the expat community? If so, can someone supply me with those names?

As Americans moving to a Muslim country, are there any laws that we need to keep in mind...things we would not normally think of?

I'm assuming that the expat community is fairly tight knit. Are the kids welcoming? What do the kids do for fun in Cairo?

Lastly, my 13 year daughter (have a 13 year old son as well) is an equestrian. We're thinking about moving her horse over as well. We feel like this is a great chance for her to train under some amazing instructors. Does anyone know of any riding stables where riding lessons are given and horses or boarded?

Look forwarding to hearing from you!

Hi again, Debbie here

You don't have to worry much about laws here, as in it's pretty much the same - driving is EXTREMELY different here, however. Yes, the expat community is tight knit. There is a wonderful expat church here that has well over 1000 members and Maadi Community School is under their umbrella. Kids are very welcoming, there are always people coming and going - for fun, we go to the Red Sea where there is lovely snorkeling, some people travel to the desert, which is very beautiful, there is horse riding here - there are stables and I know of a very good one - a Canadian lady who has lived here for many years. She gives lessons and I believe she boards horses.

I think that answers most of your questions - when are you moving here?

Debbie

LenaG · #5 (**permalink**) 15th September 2008, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonie

Hi there
My family is anticipating a move to Cairo (husband's job transfer) and we have LOTS of questions, primarily about the children. Our children have lived in a small midwestern town in the US their entire lives. Attend a small private Christian school. We are very excited about this new adventure we will be on...moving to Cairo. My questions are:

Has anyone moved their early teenage children from the US to Cairo...if so what was the experience, adjustment like for them?

Are there any private Christian schools in the expat community? If so, can someone supply me with those names?

As Americans moving to a Muslim country, are there any laws that we need to keep in mind...things we would not normally think of?

I'm assuming that the expat community is fairly tight knit. Are the kids welcoming? What do the kids do for fun in Cairo?

Lastly, my 13 year daughter (have a 13 year old son as well) is an equestrian. We're thinking about moving her horse over as well. We feel like this is a great chance for her to train under some amazing instructors. Does anyone know of any riding stables where riding lessons are given and horses or boarded?

Look forwarding to hearing from you!

Hi!
I hope that I can provide some info. We left Cairo a year ago but hopefully the advice is still helpful.

We are also a Christian family and had the best church experience ever, attending Maadi Community Church. They have an excellent youth program (Grade 6 upwards) as well as kids church. They are on the web. Under their umberella, there is Maadi Community School (now called Maadi Children's Study Center). It is a very small school, originally set up for those Christians not on expat salaries but is now attended more widely.

The main school in Maadi is Cairo American College. Whilst not a Christian school, many of the teachers are Christian ( the late Pastor's wife teaches 4th Grade there, for example.) It is the single best place to integrate both yourselves and your children. The facilities are second to none - sporting and educational. They have special programs to welcome newcomers. It is a happy school. Again, they have a comprehensive website. It is becoming more and more popular and some grades may be full. Make enquiries as soon as possible.

A minority of Americans send their children to Maadi British International School, located near Wadi Digla. It follows the British curriculum and has a great sense of community. It goes up to the equivalent of 5th Grade. It is not possible to walk to school unlike CAC. My children attended both of these schools and we were very happy.

The drawbacks of BISC and NCBIS are that there are less western children and they are more remote (involving travel on dangerous roads.) The students come from many different areas of Cairo whereas at CAC, most are based in and around Maadi. People are very happy with their educational standards, however. Again, they also have websites.

Re horse riding - do bear in mind that safety standards are different in Egypt to the US. Haven't heard of anyone bringing a horse with them but doesn't mean it hasn't happened. People do often rent horses.

It's a long winded answer but hopefully will provide some useful info. We loved living in Cairo! Best time of our lives.

nonie · #6 (**permalink**) 16th September 2008, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LenaG

Hi!
I hope that I can provide some info. We left Cairo a year ago but hopefully the advice is still helpful.

We are also a Christian family and had the best church experience ever, attending Maadi Community Church. They have an excellent youth program (Grade 6 upwards) as well as kids church. They are on the web. Under their umberella, there is Maadi Community School (now called Maadi Children's Study Center). It is a very small school, originally set up for those Christians not on expat salaries but is now attended more widely.

The main school in Maadi is Cairo American College. Whilst not a Christian school, many of the teachers are Christian ( the late Pastor's wife teaches 4th Grade there, for example.) It is the single best place to integrate both yourselves and your children. The facilities are second to none - sporting and educational. They have special programs to welcome newcomers. It is a happy school. Again, they have a comprehensive website. It is becoming more and more popular and some grades may be full. Make enquiries as soon as possible.

A minority of Americans send their children to Maadi British International School, located near Wadi Digla. It follows the British curriculum and has a great sense of community. It goes up to the equivalent of 5th Grade. It is not possible to walk to school unlike CAC. My children attended both of these schools and we were very happy.

The drawbacks of BISC and NCBIS are that there are less western children and they are more remote (involving travel on dangerous roads.) The students come from many different areas of Cairo whereas at CAC, most are based in and around Maadi. People are very happy with their educational standards, however. Again, they also have websites.

Re horse riding - do bear in mind that safety standards are different in Egypt to the US. Haven't heard of anyone bringing a horse with them but doesn't mean it hasn't happened. People do often rent horses.

It's a long winded answer but hopefully will provide some useful info. We loved living in Cairo! Best time of our lives.

Thank you so much for the info!! What were the opinions of the Maadi Community School? Did parents feel it was a good education? My kids attend a small Baptist school right now and they have expressed a desire to continue in a small Christian school in Cairo even though more things may be offered at Cairo American College.

I've seen some small video clips of the church on You Tube. It was AMAZING. I'm really anxious to visit the church.

What are your thoughts on modest dress there? I have a young teenage girl....while I consider her to dress modestly I'm hearing that she shouldn't wear tank tops and fitted t shirts; all of which are the norm here. She usually wears a tank top under the fitted t shirt with a pair of capris. Just wondering if that would be considered inappropriate on the streets of Cairo.

My other teenager is a boy. He is very nervous about making this move. He's very comfortable with his surroundings here and not one to venture out into new places. Has the same friends he's had since preschool. Are the kids in the expat community anxious to meet new arrivals or are they so used to seeing kids come and go that they don't take notice? I'm asking because I really think someone is going to have to approach Ben first...being shy as he is. He is very social here but like I said, he's grown up with these kids all his life.

Thanks so much! Can't wait to hear more from you!

LenaG · #7 (**permalink**) 16th September 2008, 08:11 AM

Dear Nonie,

I know how important knowing all these things are before you move so I will try and help. This is just a personal view and so please bear in mind what others have to say and also what you find when you arrive/do a recon visit.

Maadi Community School is a loving environment. However, it is very small and particularly in the older age ranges. I don't know if they cover American education in high school - you would need to check that out. I would suggest that the children may find it very difficult to integrate with kids their own age, if they happen to be in a very small class. Don't be afraid to email the school direct and find out the numbers and sexes of kids in each grade. We had a friend whose daughter was the only girl in her class and that wasn't great.

My experience of friendships in the schools/community we were part of is a very positive one. Although the children in Maadi see people come and go with regularity, it somehow makes them open to making new friendships. It is less "cliquey" than anywhere I have come across. My kids had really lovely friends and still keep up with them.

At CAC, the counselors are very open about talking to you about your kids. We had concerns with our eldest too, in terms of integrating, and the counselor was great. They have a peer buddy system there to help settle in too.

As for church, everyone always compares it to what Heaven could be like - so many colours, nationalities and traditions. They have cell groups that help you get connected really quickly. They worship in the open air, under a tented ceiling. At Christmas, the pageant has live camels, sheep, a donkey to carry Mary and usually a live baby Jesus! It is so special!

Finally, as regards clothes, modesty is necessary out of respect for the locals but also to avoid unwelcome attention. Girls do wear T shirts but not really vest tops and not spagetti straps. Shorts are a no-no for girls. Again, you could pretty much wear what you want but the male attention is unpleasant. The best way around wearing a vest top is to throw a shirt over the top. A good pair of sunglasses is also useful - you can see out but they can't see your eyes! Sounds weird but it does help!

Hope that this information helps but do contact all the schools direct - they can give you more specific information.

Lena

Emad · #8 (**permalink**) 8th October 2008, 10:01 PM

Are you still in the states, or moved already.

I am an Egyptian, living in Texas now.

Let me know where you are, and if you still need any help.

Best of Luck.

Emad

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonie

Hi there
My family is anticipating a move to Cairo (husband's job transfer) and we have LOTS of questions, primarily about the children. Our children have lived in a small midwestern town in the US their entire lives. Attend a small private Christian school. We are very excited about this new adventure we will be on...moving to Cairo. My questions are:

Has anyone moved their early teenage children from the US to Cairo...if so what was the experience, adjustment like for them?

Are there any private Christian schools in the expat community? If so, can someone supply me with those names?

As Americans moving to a Muslim country, are there any laws that we need to keep in mind...things we would not normally think of?

I'm assuming that the expat community is fairly tight knit. Are the kids welcoming? What do the kids do for fun in Cairo?

Lastly, my 13 year daughter (have a 13 year old son as well) is an equestrian. We're thinking about moving her horse over as well. We feel like this is a great chance for her to train under some amazing instructors. Does anyone know of any riding stables where riding lessons are given and horses or boarded?

Look forwarding to hearing from you!