EMAIL: ycmes@ycmes.org
TEL: 00967 1 270 200
FAX: 00967 1 270 127
P.O. Box 3671
Sana’a – Republic of Yemen
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Practical Matters
Health Services, Hospitals & Insurance
Yemen uses the Metric system. Distance is measured in kilometers (1 mile= 1.6 km). Foodstuffs are sold in kilograms (2.2 pounds = 1 kilogram), and liquids are sold in liters (1 liter = .26 gallons or 4.2 cups).
Electricity in Yemen is the same as in Europe- 220 Volts at 50 cycles. Throughout Yemen the three-pronged British plug is used. If you bring any personal electrical equipment, make sure that you use an international voltage converter. Voltage converters are readily available at reasonable prices in Sana’a.
The time zone in Yemen is three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +3). There is no Day Light Savings time.
The Yemeni work week is from Saturday through Wednesday, with Thursday and Friday as weekends. Friday is the holy day for Muslims and most businesses are closed, some opening after noon prayer. Typically, work hours for businesses are from 8:00am until 12:00pm and from 4:00pm until 8:00pm, with a break during the afternoon. Many government agencies, businesses, and other commerce follow a schedule similar to this, though working hours are not completely uniform throughout the country.
Arabic is the official and predominant language in Yemen. There are many regional Arabic dialects throughout Yemen such as Sana’ani and Ta’izi. Yemeni dialects are quite close to Modern Standard Arabic, so the local population will understand students who speak MSA. Though the majority of Yemenis speak only Arabic, an increasing number of Yemenis are learning English in post-secondary schools and institutes. One may also find the occasional Yemeni who speaks French, Spanish, German, Russian or other European languages.
Currency The basic unit of currency is the Yemeni Riyal. At the time of writing, the exchange rate was roughly 198YR to the US dollar and 269YR to the Euro (exchange rates are, of course, subject to change).
Banks/ATM/Money There are many international banks in the capital city with ATM services. ATMs in Yemen have become quite reliable, and prove to be the easiest and most convenient way to obtain cash. However, it is best not to rely solely on this service. It is recommended to carry an adequate amount of cash while traveling to Yemen. Traveler’s Checks should be avoided, since only a few establishments accept them and at unpleasant exchange rates. Credit cards are not widely accepted.
There are three main climate zones in Yemen: the east is mostly hot, harsh desert, the west coast is hot and humid, and the mountains are temperate and wetter due to monsoon seasons. In Sana’a the wet season lasts throughout the summer and there can be heavy downpours in the late afternoon or evening. It is best to avoid travel at those times because roads may become flooded and muddy.
Sana’a is located at over 2000 meters above sea level, and therefore does not get very hot in the summer compared to Yemen’s lowlands. The air is very dry and the average summer temperatures are as follows: June July August September 27ºC/ 81ºF 28ºC/ 82ºF 26ºC/ 79ºF 26ºC/ 79ºF
Although Yemen is located on the Arabian Peninsula, winter can get chilly. There is a stark contrast between day and night temperatures. During winter nights, temperatures can drop down to 0ºC/ 32ºF. Average daytime temperatures are: December January February March 21ºC/ 70ºF 22ºC/ 72ºF 24ºC/ 75ºF 25ºC/ 77ºF
The Yemeni diet is quite simple. Staples are rice, bread, mixed vegetables, chicken, beef and lamb, with fish in the coastal regions. Breakfast is a light meal consisting of scrambled eggs with tomatoes, a bean dish called ful or the similar fasulia, served with flat bread. Supper in the evening is similar, with the addition of liver or spiced ground beef dishes.
Coffee originated in Yemen and was exported from Mocha, a port town on the Red Sea. It made its way to Europe on trading ships during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. In Yemen, both the husks and the beans are used to make beverages. Yemenis make a drink called qishr by steeping coffee husks in hot water, then adding ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom for flavor. Qishr is milder than bean coffee and is preferred by Yemenis. Best of all, the juice stands, which colorfully punctuate every street in Sana’a, serve delicious, fresh fruit juices. There is no piped water system in the city of Sana’a. Water is delivered in trucks to each house, and then pumped up to a storage container on the top of roofs. Due to this reason, the YCMES recommends students to conserve water usage and to not drink or consume the tap water. Tap water can be used for showering, brushing one’s teeth, and for cooking if boiled first. Bottled water is available at nearly every corner store, and at the YCMES facilities. It is very inexpensive and used widely by foreigners and Yemenis alike.
Students come to Yemen for studying, traveling, and experiencing a new culture and environment. There is nothing that hinders a student’s experience more than becoming sick and spending countless days in bed or the hospital. Precautions should be taken to ensure that you will remain healthy during your time in Yemen. One of the easiest ways is through hygiene. Diseases from improper washing, food, and water are the leading causes of illness in travelers. Always wash your hands with soap and water before eating, and as often as possible when venturing out into less sanitary areas. Water should only be drunk from bottles; make sure that the seal has not been broken. When ordering juices from fresh fruit stands, ask for bottled water to be used, and avoid ice cubes in all drinks. Be wary of food from street vendors, especially uncooked foods like vegetables and fruits, and make sure that meat products are always fully cooked. Make sure that dairy products have been pasteurized and properly stored, and always check the expiration date on products. Bug spray is also a necessity in certain areas of the country to avoid possible insect-borne diseases. Traffic accidents are also a high cause of injury while traveling; make sure to take as many precautions as you can when traveling by road in Yemen. Try to avoid touching or petting animals on the street or in the wild, as bites and scratches can lead to serious infections. Always use latex condoms, available in local pharmacies, if engaging in sexual activity in Yemen to reduce the risk of STDs. By keeping these guidelines in mind, you can help prevent any serious illness or injury during your stay in Yemen.
Health Services, Hospitals & Insurance The YCMES does not have any on-campus physicians, health facilities, or pharmacies. However, emergency health services are available 24 hours a day. YCMES staff is always on call in case of any student illness or emergency. The college assists students with transportation to and from the hospital and any further assistance needed such as picking up medications from a local pharmacy. The Saudi-German hospital opened in June 2006 near the Sana’a International Airport with modern, clean facilities. It is recommended that all students use this hospital in case of illness or emergency, as it offers the best quality healthcare in Yemen in addition to offering a 25% discount on services to YCMES students. Students are responsible for all costs of medical examinations, medications, hospital stays, and doctor’s visits incurred. If students must be evacuated for health or other emergency reasons, the cost of airfare and any special medical attention will be borne by the student. The YCMES does not provide any type of insurance; therefore, comprehensive traveler’s and/or health insurance are required of all students. The college recommends discussing your travel to Yemen with your current insurance provider, but also researching companies that specialize in travel insurance.
The YCMES realizes that fitness and exercise are important for its students. The college has plans to include a student exercise gym in the 26th of September Dormitory, exclusive for its students. The gym, though not as large as others available in Sana’a, will offer students a private area for working-out. There are numerous health clubs in Sana’a (with and without pools) that students may use at their own expense. One may pay per-session or a monthly fee; prices vary widely depending on the quality of the facilities (at the time of writing, the Officers Club is 15,000 per month, but more modest ones can range from 700-2,000 a month). In general these clubs are for men only, though a few have open hours for women only. It is not common or advisable to jog in the streets, especially for women who might attract unpleasant comments. Also, the quality of the sidewalks and roads are not encouraging and traffic is dangerous.
Transportation around Sana’a is easy and inexpensive, though traffic at select times during the day or after rainstorms may crowd streets and hinder your movement. The YCMES facilities are located just off Tahrir Square, the transportation hub in the capital city. Taxis, the most expensive form of public transportation, are readily available throughout the city. There is an increasing number of metered cab services available; Raha taxi-service, the largest company, is easily identifiable by their new, yellow cars. Pick-up service can be arranged by calling 01 448 888 in Sana’a. Most cabs are still meter-less and prices are negotiated prior to the ride between the passenger and driver. Costs range from 100-1000YR depending on the destination. Though these cars differ in appearance and model, the majority are a combination of white and yellow. Make sure before entering any cab to verify that the license plate is registered as a taxi. If you are traveling on your own to a specific destination, a cheaper option to the taxi is stopping a motorcycle and hopping on back. This option is only advisable to male students. There is also an extensive bus system throughout Sana’a consisting of regular buses and smaller, van-like vehicles called “dubabs.” These buses follow a set path between two destinations (written on each bus), allowing passengers to jump on or jump off at their individual stops along the route. Utilizing the bus system is the most cost effective way to travel about the city, with most trips costing 20YR at the time of writing. New students learn the names of the main streets and bus routes quickly and find travel in Sana’a to be relatively uncomplicated.
It is not necessary or advisable to carry your passport as identification in Yemen. The YCMES recommends that your passport be kept in a secure place as a photocopy will suffice for nearly all purposes. You will be provided with an official student ID card by the YCMES at the commencement of your studies. The YCMES student ID card will serve as your official identification on and off campus, allowing entrance to facilities, travel in Yemen, and discounts at certain establishments.
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Lunch
is the largest meal. It generally consists of chicken, lamb, or beef,
with cooked vegetables and rice mixed with raisins and almonds. Flat
bread soaked in buttermilk and covered with tomatoes, onions, and spices
is served at most meals, as well as a spicy green stew called salta
served in a super-heated stone bowl. Salta is considered the national
dish of Yemen. It is made with meat broth, onions, tomatoes, ground
meat, eggs, and hilba— a mixture of fenugreek (an herb) and grated leeks
(which look like large scallions, or green onions). There are numerous
types of Salta available, and some restaurants, as you will discover,
are more popular than others for their particular recipe. Traditional
desserts include custard dishes and various kinds of sweetened and
unsweetened pastries. The most famous dessert is called bint al-sahan
(daughter of the bowl); a cake-like flaky pastry with several layers
covered with honey and black seeds. 