What should I expect when I move to Alexandria, Egypt?

Question

My dad is Egyptian and my mother is originally from America. I've decided I want to live in Egypt for a year as an international student. I'll be with family that I haven't met before. I don't practice Islam, or even know Arabic. Will I be *totally* lost in translation? Is Arabic easy to learn?

I'm sixteen, by the way.

Answer 1

Arabic isn't very easy to learn, especially if you're gonna learn it right (with Grammar and all that), but you can learn some words that will help you in every day situation.

You won't be lost in translation because most of people know English, even if they're not perfect in it but they can manage, you will manage too especially that your dad is Egyptian.

Alexandria is very nice btw.

Enjoy your stay :)

Answer 2

You will not be lost, firstly Egyptians are very friendly people and may you feel as you are living in between a huge family, and you will find them so helpful. Second thing, Although learning perfect Arabic is difficult but in the other hand it is so easy to learn popular Egyptian dialect (it is nice and delicious), you just need to consider that feminine and masculine, but anyway Egyptians are that easy people they always get you trying to catch what you want to say.

In addition English is widely spread among people.



Alexandria is one of the most beautiful cities you will see amazing mixture between Greece, Roman and Egyptian styles in the buildings. It has long coast, every area has its characteristic type of sand and water, good weather, and it is so calm during winter with no crowd, but may it has some what stormy rainy winter.

About practicing Islam, if you want to learn about it my advice is to read about it, not learn from people because a lot of them do mistakes of their practices because they are not depending in a good sources.

Just want to tell about Arabic language:

It is difficult in the beginning but once you learn it you will find it one of most easy to use languages, due to the strong relation between the shape and sound of every letter, I mean every letter has only one sound, which make it very easy to read any written Arabic text, in comparison with English in which you found the same letter can give many sounds, for example, S can sounds like C, in some words and like Z in other words.

Answer 3

No you won't be lost, most people here can understand English, and it doesn't matter if you practice Islam or not, And...sorry to say this but according to wikipedia.org Arabic is one of the difficult languages for foreigners to learn, And If there are any questions you have don't hesitate to mail me

Answer 4

Arabic is very easy to learn if you have the will.

be ready to some annoyance cuz you are not practicing Islam.

Answer 5

Where in alexandria will you stay?

If your family practice islam then you will probably have to or they might start talking to you about it.

Most of the women in alexandria are veiled and its more a society issue than religious.

You can learn arabic but its tough as you know there is 2 types of arabic in Egypt. The original arabic which is used for writing and reading and the the 2nd type is the slang egyptian arabic.

I think you need to know the egyptian slang and you will have to pick that up from your family and friends there.

The best thing about the egyptian people is that they are very hospitable, kind and helpful.

Have fun :)

Answer 6

you will like it in alexandria. it is one of the nicest cities in egypt.

Islam practicing is not a problem as you might think because not all egyptians are muslims.

Arabic IS one of the most difficult languages to learn but you will grab lots of it on your stay in here. I suggest that you take an arabic course for foreigners just to be able to know what everyone is talking about. on the other hand most of the egyptians nowadays speaks english very well so you wont be that lost :D.

Answer 7

In Alexandria:

You'll find many places excellent

Many people good people.

Many excellent morals.

....

In the Islam:

Will live in Ramadan ..

Goodwill is the month in Islam ..

Many people in Alexandria do good in Ramadan ..

....

In Arabic:

You'll find many of the specialized centres ..

You'll find IBRAHIM EL SHAFEY, Professional Arabic language teacher for non-arabic speakers online..

communicate with me;

Cairo - Egypt

[phone].

[e-mail]

And add me..