Frequently Asked Questions About Egypt
1) What is the Egypt trip?
The Egypt trip is a short-travel program designed by ARAMFO for students and their family members to increase cultural tolerance between Arab people and Americans. The trip usually spans 14 days and it takes place in the last week of May and the first week of June.
2) What will I do in Egypt?
You will visit mostly all the historical sites in Egypt. In addition, you will visit three famous universities and meet with professors and students there. You will also enjoy your stay at 5 star resorts.
3)... Can I sign up for credit hours for my participation in this program? And how does it work?
Yes, you can sign up for credit and get up to 6 credit hours from the Egyptian universities. The cost of the 6 credit hours should be paid separately. The cost is approximately $200; however, this amount changes from year to year.
You will receive your 6 credit hours from the Egyptian universities. ARAMFO will arrange with these universities to send an official transcript (translated into English) to the Admissions and Records of your university. Your university will then add the credits to your transcript.
These 6 credit hours are considered as international credits and they will support your CV for job seeking, particularly if you are interested in working with an international organization. These organizations value international credits and certificates and consider them as your international experience. This will increase your chances of finding a better career in the future.
4)... Will I get a certificate for my participation in this program?
Yes- you will get an educational certificate from ARAMFO and the universities you visited in Egypt showing the work you have done and you can use it as part of the Global Awareness requirement at your university.
5) Why should I travel to Egypt with ARAMFO and not with a travel agent?
ARAMFO presents the largest educational travel program to Egypt in the state of Colorado. This puts ARAMFO far ahead of other programs in terms of the price, quality of service and students’ ability to transfer their credits from Egypt to American universities and the educational certificate that ARAMFO will provide to show their participation in some university workshops in Egypt.
Also, ARAMFO has contracts with many universities in Egypt that allow American students to communicate with Egyptian professors, researchers, instructors and students during their stay in Egypt as well as after returning to the United States. This communication allows American students to understand the Egyptian culture by exchanging their experiences with their peers in Egypt.
Aside from that, the cost of ARAMFO trip is SIGNIFICANTLY less expensive than if you were to book your trip through a travel agent. The savings apply to both the flight and the 5 star accommodations. In addition, we supply security at all times as well as your own personal tour guides. ARAMFO guaranties a comprehensive educational program that is mixed between learning and fun.
6) What is the cost of the trip? And what does the cost of the trip cover?
The cost will vary from year to year but ARAMFO will keep its promise to offer the most affordable 5 star trips to Egypt in the United States. The cost of the trip covers nearly everything except for personal expenses and souvenirs. You will not have to worry about hotels, transportation, and meals. In nearly every case, however, you will have to pay for your own special drinks with the food provided at restaurants. On the other hand, plenty of water bottles are always available for free on the bus.
7) Will the cost cover the international flight?
Yes, including meals during the flight.
8) Will it cover meals?
Yes, 3 big meals a day, besides water from the bus is always available. Additional snacks or drinks are at your own expense.
9) Will it cover tips in Egypt?
No.
10) Do I need to bring additional money for my stay in Egypt?
Additional money for your stay in Egypt will not necessarily be required, but it is definitely recommended. If you want anything to drink besides water, you will need extra money. If you wish to purchase souvenirs or gifts during your visit, you will need extra money. Please be responsible for budgeting your money. Do not bring checks, they are difficult to use. If you trust yourself to carry it, cash is best. With the busy schedule, finding time to convert your money may prove to be difficult. Try to convert as many dollars to pounds as you think you will need from the beginning. Keep in mind the exchange fees for both currencies.
11) Do I need medical insurance for Egypt trip?
Yes, it is highly recommended to have a medical insurance from any company in case if something happens to you in Egypt.
12) What is the best company to buy my medical insurance from?
It is always a good idea to check for an insurance company’s that should have an A+ rating or better.
Insurance companies we suggest are:
CMI
https://www.cmi-insurance.com/homepage.aspx
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone: +1-410-583-2595
A&M Insurance
http://www.aminsurance.com/
Wallach & Company
1-800-237-6615
http://www.wallach.com/
International SOS Assistance
1-800-767-1403
http://www.internationalsos.com/en/Assistance.htm
Scholastic Emergency Health Plan
http://www.betins.com/
HTH Worldwide - Global Citizen
1.888.243.2358 (ext.3) or 1.610.254.8700 (outside USA)
http://www.hthtravelinsurance.com/
Aetna Student Health
http://www.aetnastudenthealth.com/
13) Do I need special vaccinations?
Although there are no required vaccinations, it is recommended that your tetanus is up to date and probably a good idea to have the hepatitis series.
14) Are there any medications I need to take with me to Egypt?
Any of your prescriptions are a must. In addition, it is a good idea to take Ibuprofen, as it is a great all-purpose pain-killer, in case you have headaches, a fever, stomachaches, sunburn, etc. Pepto-Bismol and other diarrhea medications are also popular choices. If you take prescriptions, definitely be sure to bring enough for the whole trip. Also, you might need to bring bug spray and bug bite lotion along with Imodium, Pepto-Bismol, and Ibuprofen.
15) Do I need to tell the organizers of the trip in ARAMFO the kinds of medicine I take frequently?
Yes, this is extremely important information for the organizers to know. Be sure to send this information ARAMFO before you leave.
16) What are the recommended things I need to take with me to Egypt other than medicine?
Try to bring enough light-colored and conservative cotton clothing to last the whole trip. Jeans are not a good idea—too hot. A light long sleeve shirt to protect you from the sun, hat, sun screen (and lots of it), packets of flavors for water (crystal light, etc.) camera with plenty of disks to hold pictures, batteries, some light snacks (granola bars), a light sweater or jacket. Both a pair of tennis shoes and a pair of flip flops or sandals are recommended, though this also depends on what you prefer. Bring a backpack to carry daily items in. Most importantly, bring a lot of respect, a good attitude, and an open mind for visiting the culture and people that you are.
17) How much money should I take with me to cover my own purchases?
It depends on what you plan on buying, but $500.00 should be enough. However, there are plenty of opportunities to buy items throughout the visit, and the best price is not always the first one. Do not spend all your money in the first couple days!
18) Should I take with me cash money only to Egypt or will travel checks also work?
Cash money is highly recommended. Personal checks and travel checks are sometimes bothersome. You can use ATM machines and you can check with your bank as to how much they will charge you for any processing fees. INFORM YOUR BANK AND CREDIT CARD COMPANIES WHEN YOU ARE LEAVING AND RETURNING TO THE COUNTRY. This is usually only a phone call and it will insure that you will be able to access your accounts overseas.
19) Is there a safe place for my valuables during my stay in Egypt?
All the hotels have safes in the rooms. During your day trips, everything is entirely safe on the bus as mentioned before, you will have your own personal security and your personal items will never be left unattended.
20) Do I need to get my visa beforehand or I can get it at the airport?
You will get your visa at the Cairo airport.
21) How much does the visa cost?
$15.00 USD cash.
22) Do I need a passport to travel to Egypt?
Absolutely! You can apply for it at any major post office. It can take a long time for them to process your application and mail your passport to you, so if you do not have one yet, make sure you get started on that right away! It probably depends on a lot of things. It is much better to have it early and out of the way though. We would not bother paying the additional fee to expedite the process, as it does not seem to make it fast enough to justify the increased expense. The website http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html has additional and more specific information about applying for passports.
23) How do people in Egypt accept American tourists?
People in Egypt are extremely friendly toward American tourists. They are always smiling and it is fascinating to have conversations with them. Females need to be careful though, because some males may try to get too friendly with you. However, they are multi lingual and can do their best to provide for your comfort and safety.
24) Do I need international phone service to take with me to contact my family?
That is a personal preference! Otherwise, the internet is available in most hotels (for a cost) and other students take their own laptops. Phones are also available in the hotel rooms, for a cost.
25) What accommodations are provided by the ARAMFO program in Egypt?
Everything you need to survive is provided for by the program! No need to worry about how you are going to get around, where you are going to sleep, or what you are going to eat. If you need something additional, like souvenirs, there will be opportunities to purchase them but of course it will be taken out of your own expenses on top of the original cost of the trip.
26) Is anyone welcome to travel with the ARAMFO program to Egypt or is it for students only?
We always have many community members join us. What a wonderful opportunity for anyone!! It is an amazing chance to bring together two cultures so that we might better understand and learn tolerance for each of us.