EGYPT MEDICAL STUDENT ELECTIVES

Egypt

Since one of Egypt's most important and lucrative national industries is tourism, little is spared in making the visitor welcome. The infrastructure is well geared to tourism and the people are very hospitable. Many of Egypt’s attractions need no introduction: the pyramids a Giza, the Valley of the Kings and Tutankahmun’s tomb, the river Nile, and the Oases. Medics Away Students will have the chance to be immersed in the Egyptian experience and will be

 particularly well placed to visit the temples at Philae and Abu   Simbel, the mighty Aswan High Dam, and to explore the    islands and upper reaches of the Nile that yield an incredibly rich archaeological landscape.

Egypt is one and a half times the size of the United Kingdom (at about 387, 000 square miles), and its population of 69.1million is equally distributed between the cities and hinterland, with the vast majority of Egyptians living within a few miles of the river Nile. This is not surprising since 95% of the land mass is desert. The Nile valley has been intensively cultivated for thousands of years and is home to the notorious date palms, lotus plant and papyrus that have become the national symbols of this country.

Travelling in Egypt

Many people before visiting are concerned about safety while travelling in Egypt. Although travel always and inevitably involves an element of risk, Egypt is considered safer than many European countries. Tourism and its importance in the national economy ensure that visitors are respected by locals and protected by government and security forces. Since 1997, there have been no significant security incidents involving foreigners. If any incentive were needed apart from their natural hospitality and good nature, egyptians’ economic and political reliance on foreign donors further ensures that it is in their best interests to welcome travellers.

English is widely understood and spoken in the country, being useful for tourism, government and trade, although the official language is Arabic. Travellers will find little trouble communicating.

The local currency is the Egyptian Pound, which breaks down into 100 Piasters. Generally, there are about 11 Egyptian Pounds to the UK Pound and this is particularly favourable. A decent restaurant meal can be enjoyed for the equivalent of about £3:00 and food is very cheap.

The climate in Upper Egypt gets very hot in the summer (up to 107F) but is comfortably warm in winter, from October through to May. There is virtually no rainfall so the supply of the Nile is heavily depended on. The visitor to Egypt will not experience jet lag since the country is only two hours ahead of GMT. However, it is wise to be prepared for bright sunshine.

Locations

              Medics Away Students will be flown in to Luxor on the upper Nile where they will be accommodated with the option of taking some Arabic classes and sightseeing in the area before flying to the city of Aswan further up the river.

The density of interesting sights in Luxor is so great it is known as the world’s largest open air museum. A few days are needed to begin to experience what it offers. During the day there are several bustling bazaars, gardens, two ancient temples, numerous restaurants and several museums (including the Museum of Mummification, which may be of particular interest to medical students). Digging deeper into the historic attractions, the visitor will encounter the Coptic basilica and the El-Mekashkesh Mosque. At night, a thriving variety of clubs and bars springs to life.

Aswan General Hospital is the clinical base for the elective. It is a hospital of approximately 630 beds and offers an opportunity to work in all clinical specialties including Obstetrics and Gynaecology and with special unit for goitre and thyroid problems. Accommodation will be in Aswan, close to the hospital.

Aswan and its surroundings provide scope to explore some of the best culture, scenery and ancient history that Egypt has to offer. The area around Aswan is considered the most beautiful part of the Nile. It is wide with white cliffs, and strewn with little islands. It has been an important strategic point and garrison town since antiquity and this is reflected in the accumulation of historical points of interest. The many ancient sites include the 137ft long “Unfinished Obelisk” abandoned in a quarry at Aswan when it developed a crack. Some islands, which can be reached by boat, hold further attractions. There are botanical gardens on Kitchener Island and the temples of Isis and Trajan’s Kiosk – examples of ancient Egyptian architecture on others. Egypt's most spectacular temple complex is close by at Abu Simbel. Aswan is also famous for a modern piece of architecture, the magnificent High Dam. This part of the upper Nile will prove a paradise for anyone with a taste for fresh fish, floating restaurants, local markets with bargains for the astute haggler, rich history and thriving local culture.

Students may also take advantage of Aswan as a departure point for cruises on the Nile (the very best way to take in most of the famous sights) and visits to the Western Oases.

Technicalities

Language: Arabic is the main language of Egypt, however all medicine is taught in English and due to the high levels of tourism English is very widely spoken. The Arabic language is fairly easily grasped if you work hard and Medics Away can advise you on the best way of achieving this.

Vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio, and Malaria vaccinations are all recommended but not compulsory. Contact your medical centre for up-to-date recommendations and consult www.traveldoctor.co.uk for more information.

Visas: for UK citizens visas are required but can be secured on arrival in Egypt for about £15. Students will require a tourist visa. Travellers from the UK will also need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the date of arrival.

Contact us for further information: info@medicsaway.co.uk