- Paul Zimmerer
Before I moved to Cairo I contacted some local members on InterNations. They gave me some great assistance.
Living in Aswan
Aswan is often described as Upper Egypt's sunniest city. It sits serenely on the east bank of the Nile just north of the Aswan Dams and, in its abundance of sunlight, there's plenty to feast your eyes on. The famous Unfinished Obelisk there is the largest of its kind ever found, carved straight into the granite bedrock. In fact, the city is drenched as much in history as it is in sunlight – the Elephantine Island is one of Egypt's most ancient sites and Swenett, as Aswan used to be known, is mentioned in Ptolemy, Herodotus and the Bible. Expats living in Aswan can enjoy more than the city's rich history, though. The modern city is a dynamic market and tourism center, with a rich variety of Egypt's largely vegetarian cuisine and a bustling waterfront. There is a modest international presence in the busy city, and finding fellow expatriates living in Aswan to get in touch with is an early challenge for new arrivals.
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Moving to Aswan
Moving to a desert climate on the world's most iconic river is quite an experience, even for the most global minds. The sunny city is a fascinating place, though, and moving to Aswan is an exciting opportunity for even a seasoned expat. Alongside the depth of history, profusion of sunlight and distinct districts of the city, InterNations helps expats in Aswan to get information, meet other expatriates and get to grips with the character, customs and costs of the city. InterNations' Expat Magazine also contains a good collection of articles on the various aspects of expatriation. From expat finance to culture shock, expat experiences and cross-cultural communication, it's a useful and informative guide to help expats get to grips with life in this bustling Nile city.
Working in Aswan
Having started to settle in, you'll have to turn your attention to work in Aswan. Day to day life in the city's dry, hot climate is something that generations of expats have adapted to, and InterNations' user-contributed articles and accounts are a great insight into the various ways that different individuals have got to grips with living abroad. There is more still to learn from discussion groups on the website – you'll find every aspect of the international lifestyle there, from food and drinks to arts and entertainment. It's a great way to settle in on the front foot. InterNations' online discussion forums will give you all the best information on everything from marketplace etiquette to general expat Q&A. However useful guides and accounts may be, though, there is no substitute for actually organizing a get-together. Through the discussion groups or private correspondence, you might well like to organize a local meet up. As every expatriate knows, it's when you start to feel part of a local community that you've really started to settle into your new home.