7 Unexpected Surprises: Helen’s Time Volunteering in Egypt
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When you think about Egypt, often what comes up are large pyramids, vast deserts and deep, ancient history. But beyond these iconic staples lies a vibrant culture, full of stories waiting to be discovered.
This is what Helen thought of before volunteering in Egypt. But once she stepped back into London, her whole perspective was changed.
Helen volunteered for the “On The Map” project with AIESEC UK. She volunteered for a travel agency to produce social media content and boost tourism in Egypt.
Volunteering with our ‘On The Map’ project, Helen travelled to Egypt, working for a travel agency as a social media content curator to promote tourism in the country. She was brought to different places in Egypt to capture special moments and stunning sights for the agency’s Instagram page.
Through this, her perspective on Egypt opened up...
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1️⃣ Witnessing the Pyramids
If you’re going to Egypt for the first time, visiting the pyramids is a must. These massive ancient masonry structures took Helen’s breath away. For her, it wasn't just the sheer scale of the stone that struck her, but a profound awareness of the connection to the civilisation that built it, the very one she currently stood in, developing her appreciation for the history before her.
2️⃣The Hidden Paradise of the Red Sea
As if the pyramids weren’t enough, Helen also had the incredible chance to snorkel in the Red Sea & Blue Hole (aka Divers’ Cemetery). The dive site is reputed to have the most diver fatalities in the world.
The reef of Sha'ab Abu Nuhas has claimed countless ships over the years, but the remaining four are a magnet for avid wreck-divers. This was plenty of motivation for Helen to brave the waters and literally dive in.
Being underwater is literally breath-taking in itself, but Helen’s was taken from the beautiful coral reefs she glided above. Although snorkelling isn’t near diving into the Blue Hole, Helen could feel its presence from where she peacefully swam. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, floating along with the waves as her friends sang cheerfully beside her.
3️⃣ The Stunning Sunrise at Mount Sinai
Helen and her group started the ascent at midnight to catch the sunrise. Easy in the beginning, but after just an hour, the climb was taking a toll on the group. After hauling their backpacks, the group surrendered to the urging of the camel owners.
The trek was for sure worth it. Never in her life had she ridden a camel before, but at least this way, she was able to watch the stars glitter above her. Once at the summit, the group took a few moments, breathing in the horizon and its view. Luckily, they were able to watch as the sun rose, casting deep reds and bright golds over the lightening sky. Upon seeing this, all regrets once harboured by the group faded away with the night sky.
4️⃣The Magic of the Desert
Helen had never imagined her timeline would lead to her sleeping in the literal desert. Resting under the stars is a memory she will never forget, her mind and spirit refreshed. Not just the stars were out, in the darkness of the desert, the group were able to see the Milky Way- visible with the naked eye.
“I’ve really connected back with my religion. The desert was very cold and quiet at night. All I could hear was the music, our laughter and singing.” Helen felt a deep connection with her surroundings.
5️⃣ The Stereotypes of Egypt
Helen was able to see Egypt’s scenery as diverse, with the rich Nile Delta, Mediterranean and Red Sea beaches, and even snow-capped mountains in Sinai. While popular belief describes Egypt as primarily desert, Egypt, in reality, is as diverse in terrain as it is in its society.
In this experience, Helen discovered that Egypt is a diverse society where wearing the hijab is a personal choice. “I found that a significant Coptic Christian population and many secular Muslims do not wear head covers,” she added.
Helen had regarded Egypt as an underdeveloped country. And with AIESEC, she discovered that Egypt really is a diverse, middle-income country with modern infrastructure, big metropolitan areas such as Cairo and Alexandria, and a booming contemporary arts and technology scene.
Her worries about Egypt being unsafe for tourists were quelled. “While certain border areas require some caution, major tourist zones are actually really well-protected, and I’m certain millions of people safely visit every year.”
6️⃣The Improvement of her Technical Skills
Through this volunteering experience, Helen was able to both explore Egypt and sharpen her creative edge and skills behind the camera. In a fast-paced content creation environment, where moments need to be captured and shared at top speed, she learned how to streamline her editing process, making her workflow more efficient and purposeful.
At the same time, she explored different shooting techniques for both video and photography, testing angles, lighting, and composition across Egyptian landscapes.
7️⃣ Discovering the Unknown
This hands-on experience not only elevated Helen’s technical skills but also helped her discover her own creative style, turning every captured moment into a meaningful story.
Never in her life did she see herself hiking Mount Sinai, snorkelling in the Red Sea, sleeping in the desert, or standing before the grand pyramids.
Her experience through our Global Volunteer program has opened her eyes to the undiscovered talents, knowledge, and opportunities she has the potential of experiencing. So what’s stopping you? Scroll up and hit the ‘Sign Up’ button now! We’re all rooting for you!
