I want another Cairo night June 22, 2022

By (Religion, Berea College) - abroad from 05/20/2022 to 06/05/2022 with

KIIS: Israel & Egypt

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The biggest thing I gained from this experience is the confidence and drive to travel abroad again and experience new cultures as I have done with the Egypt trip.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The course was very intensive but not overwhelming. There was a lot of information to be learned but there was still time for studying and breaks.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Sadly due to Covid we were only able to visit Egypt during this trip. I loved Egypt and want to go back already. I can imagine I would feel the same way if we had gone to Israel/Palestine.

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

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

The exchange rate between Egyptian pounds and USD made it very easy to live on a students budget. This was especially true if you knew the right places to eat.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I spent about 15-20 dollars a week on food and water.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Water is going to be the main thing you want to buy. Don't be afraid to buy from a local shop and not only from grocery stores.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

We were greatly encouraged to speak Arabic as much as we could.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish 102
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? I learned the best by speaking to native speakers and to my classmates.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Cairo
  • The food
  • The Bedouins
* What could be improved?
  • The travel times
  • Laundry
  • The amount of walking
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I do wish I would've known some prices of stuff before going so I could've bargained better when I first arrived in Egypt.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'