Cairo Time Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

At first I was a bit overwhelmed with a regular academic workload, immediate immersion into Cairo's culture, and a very new sense of adventure, but I quickly got into the groove of Cairo through the program's flexibility and adaptability to student needs. The professors are all experts in their field and were far more serious and learned in their passions than I had ever experienced. On my first day of each class I immediately knew this was going to be a challenging, but amazing, semester. One of the most rewarding experiences was to intern at the Supreme Council of Antiquities. Just to see Egyptian government at work while learning about Egyptology was an amazing and unexpected experience.

On-site administration of your program

Our program director was extremely passionate, knowledgeable, and understanding of any issue that arose. We were able to discuss future plans while in Egypt and when we returned home, as our director had connections in Cairo and back in the States with a breadth of experience that really helped us to find new avenues to explore our interests and find direction for our futures. With an occasional dose of tough love, we were encouraged to go on adventures, to meet new people, and to participate in the very unique city that is Cairo.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I had the awesome experience of living in a middle class Cairo neighborhood right in the same building as local Egyptian residents. The apartment was fully furnished, in a convenient location and I always felt safe, especially with our bowab at the door. I truly appreciated getting to live right alongside Egyptians. For Cairo, we were pretty lucky to have such accommodations.

I loved the food. It didn't sit well with everyone, but I never had a stomach problem from anything I ate. You have to eat Koshary! By the end of my time abroad I had koshary at least 3 times a week. While this was probably a problem, I found every bowl to be delicious and the prices were unbeatable. You can get so many great sweets and eats for cheap.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

My program had bimonthly outings to places all across Egypt, included in the program fee. I loved these outings, especially Siwa. We enjoyed a bedouin party, went sandboarding, swimming at an oasis, and just laid in the desert to stare at the stars; I have never seen a more beautiful night sky. The Nile cruise was great as well and it was a real treat to get to experience all of Egypt, not just Cairo.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I felt far safer in Cairo than I ever have in NYC. People look out for each other and love to get to know new people. There is an occasional angry taxi driver or misunderstanding, but other pedestrians will always help you out and there are police on every other corner.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

This program was perfect if you want to learn colloquial language. The in-class assignments, outings and homework all contributed to our experience in speaking directly with the Egyptian people. Classes were often held in ahuas (cafes), marketplaces and restaurants where we were encouraged to order, converse, and introduce ourselves to new people in the restaurant. The people were remarkably more than willing to share their political opinions, family history, and life story with us. Most people did not speak English, forcing us to quickly adapt and survive on our own. My only regret is that I did not explore the city further on my own and meet more people.

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• Apartment

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• Other

• The new friends I made.

• Nothing.