Traveling and seeing the world is one thing, being able to volunteer to improve the quality of life of others is another. What are the possibilities of combining both and being a voluntourist?

Not only is it cheaper, but the amount of friends made and cultural experiences gained from giving your time to help others is something you can’t pay for on a group tour focused on going to the touristy places and making money.

Since I was a little girl, I have had a fascination with all things Egypt. The pyramids, artifacts, Valley of the Kings, King Tut, Cleopatra, the Nile, I could go on and on.

I still get excited when an announcement is made about a new discovery in the Valley of the Kings.

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)

I had become interested in volunteering and wanted to teach English.  While researching certification programs, I came across an organization called TEFL International.

Locations are all over the world including the United States. Lucky for me, they had one in Egypt, the second-largest city of Alexandria (named after and founded by Alexander the Great).

Cost for the courses included seafront accommodations of shared apartments with access to a private beach in al-Agami, a suburb of Alexandria along with transportation to and from the school.

The trainers guide you on the process of planning, preparation, delivery of a lesson to actual students in a classroom setting and one on one. The feedback that was provided was very valuable.

Upon completion of the 4 – week course, I earned a TESOL certification which can be used to apply for entry-level jobs to teach English in a classroom setting or private one on one around the world.

Learning English Changes Lives

Through this experience, I learned the importance of how learning English improves career prospects. During a private lesson, I had one student who was going to school for Egyptology.

In order for her to be able to get a job at one of the archeological sites, she had to know and hold a conversation in English. I walked away knowing the intangible rewards of teaching English as a second language. 

During my month-long stay in Alexandria, the weekend was spent hanging out with my classmates and sightseeing around Alexandria.

I loved that just a few blocks from my apartment. I could get fresh fruits and vegetables and work on my cooking skills.

Most places are within walking distance and transportation is cheap. My experience allowed me to see many of the tourist attractions.

Do some shopping for some unique souvenirs at the City Center Mall and Souq District.

Places I Recommend Visiting

• Fort Qaitbey – a 15th-century fortress & naval museum. Viator offers an excellent group tour.

• The Library of Alexandria – six specialized libraries, four museums, and ongoing exhibitions.

• Pompey’s Pillar – the biggest memorial column in Egypt.

• Kom al-Dikka – the only Roman amphitheater found in Egypt and observe ongoing excavations.

• Montaza Palace – one of three Presidential palaces in Egypt.

• Corniche of Alexandria – waterfront stroll along the eastern harbor of Alexandria.

During the months of Jan-Mar, the school offers a free trip to Sharm el-Sheikh. Seeing the pyramids, the Sphinx and Egyptian Museum was on my bucket list.

Instead of going to Sharm el-Sheikh, I arranged for a private tour of Alexandria and Cairo. I had a personal tour guide who went with me to the pyramids and the Sphinx.

He spoke on the history of these wonderful structures. Afterward, I spent some time at the Egyptian Museum where the mask of King Tut is on display along with other collections of pharaonic antiquities before heading back to Alexandria.

Gotta Try The Street Food

Just like in the United States, there is lovely street food to try. Before diving in, I recommend waiting a couple of days for your body to adjust to the environment.

Even though I am not a liver fan, I had the best liver and onion sandwich along with some koshari. 

It consists of rice topped with pasta, lentils, and chickpeas topped with tomato sauce, garlic and a bit of thinly sliced fried onion.

It’s cheap, filling and delicious and was something I ate it pretty much every day and never got sick of it.

Another food to try is rice ice cream. I was a skeptic at first, but by the time I finished my ice cream, I became a believer.

Alexandria is the little quieter than Cairo, but I think this city is the best-kept secret of places to visit and her treasures like koshari. Of course, if you feel the need to go to Cairo, there are plenty of tours available to give you time to learn about Egypt’s history and contribute to the economy.

It’s a good idea to have travel insurance in case something goes wrong. You can purchase travel insurance from World Nomads.

World Nomads provides travel insurance to travelers from over 140 countries and is backed by reputable insurers and 24-hour assistance providers.

You can click here to get a quote. Read the policy details to ensure that it’s right for you.

If you enjoyed reading this post, check my post on Amsterdam: Making the Most of an 8-hour Layover and how much fun I had in such a short amount of time before arriving in Egypt.