Egypt is home to one of the oldest civilizations on the planet, and as traders from Asia, Europe, and Africa met in the Middle East, the ability to communicate became crucial. Even today, people still come to Egypt to learn new languages and trade ideas. Whether you choose to study Arabic in Egypt or perfect your English, you’ll be part of a long tradition of intercultural exchange.

If you study Arabic in Egypt, you’ll generally have two options: Egyptian Colloquial Arabic (ECA) or Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). ECA is the local Arabic dialect and is the most widely understood version of spoken Arabic today. MSA is the formal, written version of the language; it’s identical in every Arabic-speaking country, and is especially useful for academic and religious study. Most Arabic language schools in Egypt offer courses in one or the other, but if you’re motivated and ready to spend your days in the classroom, you can learn both.

English courses are also popular in Egypt, and language schools provide tailored lessons depending on your level. Whether you’re a business professional wanting to negotiate with international partners, or a student who wants to prepare for a degree abroad, English courses in Egypt are offered by a variety of schools, institutes, and universities.

Language schools in Egypt all tend to follow a similar format. Intensive classes take place two to four hours per day, Sunday through Thursday (in many muslim countries, the weekend falls on Friday and Saturday, due to Friday being a day of worship). New sessions usually start every couple of weeks, but you can stay for as long as you’d like, from two weeks to an entire year. Other language classes in Egypt are offered once or twice a week, and are convenient for those who are already working or studying in the country. In some cases, semester-long or summer programs are also offered by local universities.

Attending a language school in Egypt isn’t all about memorizing past participles. Most language programs in Egypt also offer excursions so students can take full advantage of their surroundings. Get up close and personal with the mysterious Great Sphinx of Giza, visit the world’s “largest open-air museum” in Luxor, or spend a lazy day floating down the Nile on a felucca (sailboat).