Important Information

Life in Yemen is very different from western countries.  It is based on an ancient culture that is reflected in its social customs of today.  The Yemeni people are very friendly and open towards foreigners and always willing to help.  It is quite easy to make friends with Yemenis and you should not be surprised if you are invited to lunch, a gat chew, or even a wedding after meeting someone for the first time.  Yemenis are very curious about foreigners and are eager to make foreign friends and introduce them to their culture and way of life.  While in Yemen you should respect the cultural norms.  Foreigners should dress more conservatively than they might at home and wear culturally appropriate clothing.  Women should wear lose fitting non- revealing clothing and a headscarf is recommended.  Men should not wear shorts and should be aware that long hair and earrings are seen as strange and may win unwanted attention.  It is also a good idea to cover any tattoos.

What to Bring

When packing for your trip it is best to bring only those items that are essential.  Most items of daily life can be purchased cheaply in Sana'a.  Toiletries, clothing, power converters, batteries, and small appliances are readily available.  Saba also recommends bringing a laptop to take advantage of our wire-less Internet.  You may want to bring a small collection of your favorite music, movies and books as these may be hard to come by in Sana'a.

The temperature in Sana'a can vary greatly so it is advisable to bring layers.  Yemenis are proud of their traditional clothing and many students purchase and wear these outfits during their stay.  If you are in doubt as to whether an article of clothing is culturally acceptable it is best to leave it a home.

Over-the-counter medicines can be purchased in pharmacies but it is advisable to bring prescription medication with you.  Even though most prescription medication is available the supply of some medicines cannot be guaranteed.  Birth control pills and feminine hygiene products are available but tampons are quite difficult to find. 

Budgeting

Living in Sana'a is quite cheap. Compared to western countries food, transportation, clothing, toiletries, etc. are very low-cost.  The amount of money a student will spend depends upon his/her lifestyle, needs and interests.  To give a basic idea of the cost of daily living a rough estimate of prices is provided.

-A regular meal at a Yemeni restaurant 200-500YR (less than $2.50)

-A meal at specialty restaurant 2000YR + ($10 or more)

-A bottle of water 40YR ($0.20)

-Clothing 500-2000YR ($2.50-$10)

-Toiletries i.e. shampoo, toothpaste, creams, hair gel etc. 300-600YR ($1.50-$3.00)

-Cigarettes 130-200YR (less than $1)

There are also stores that sell foreign and specialty products and the prices are comparable to those of western countries.  Note that electronics i.e. computers, mobile phones, hard drives, digital cameras, etc. cost about the same as they do in Europe and America.

Souvenirs can be inexpensive or very expensive depending on you interest.  Some goods that are said to be authentic (Kashmir scarves, Jambiyas, silver, etc.) may actually not be.  It helps to be knowledgeable about what you are buying.  Remember that bargaining is expected and the first price quoted will always be high.  You can bargain just about everywhere except in restaurants, pharmacies, and 5 star hotels.

Vaccines & Immunizations

There are no vaccinations required for entering Yemen unless you are coming from an area where there is a risk of yellow fever transmission..  In this case you will need to present proof of vaccination certificate in order to enter.  If you choose to be vaccinated before coming to Yemen you should consult a doctor at least one month before departure (this time will allow any vaccines or medications to take effect).  Preferably one who specializes in travel medicine so as to get the most up to date and concise recommendations.