126 CultureShock! Egypt
NGO Job Opportunities
The largest foreign-based NGOs offer opportunities to arrange a
job before arrival in Egypt. Among the biggest are:
Ford Foundation
Website: http://www.fordfound.org/employment
USAID
Website: http://www.usaid.gov/careers
Some expatriates do fi nd jobs with these organisations after
their arrival, as contractors for work ranging from grant writing to
project management. Employment discrimination is common in
Egypt, especially based on age or gender. It is not uncommon to
see an ad for a male, aged 25–30.Documents to Bring
PASSPORT! Keep it with you always; it is handy if you are
stopped by the police. Even if I don’t plan to drive, I always
carry my driver’s licence with me.
You will need a visa to enter Egypt, but don’t worry,
if you didn’t get one before you left home, you can get
a tourist visa at the airport when you get there. But, you
must pay in hard currency! I also always suggest keeping
a copy of all credit card or bank card numbers along
with emergency telephone numbers to contact in the
event of loss. I usually leave a copy of the numbers with
a trusted friend or relative at home in case I lose the copy
I have with me. It may turn out to be easier for a friend or
relative to contact the company to report your card loss.
Another thing I like to have is proof of medical insurance. It
is not likely that any medical treatment you get in Egypt will
file with your insurance, but I like to have it anyway. Not all
insurances will pay for mishaps that occur abroad, so be sure
to check if your insurance scheme/company does before you
leave, and, if necessary, secure insurance that covers medical
services outside your home country.
Note that US Medicare and Medicaid programs do not
cover services outside the United States. Americans can
get a copy of the Department of State’s brochure, Medical