Use common sense. Ladies, cover up. It's a muslim country. Past Review
By Christine G (biopsych, Tufts University) for
Study Abroad in Egypt at the American University in Cairo
Egypt is a rough country.
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Fall 2008 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The teachers were there for you if you needed extra help. One on one attention was available if you sought it out. They were understanding of student schedules and complications as well. That said, it was a newly established department (biotechnology masters) and that could not have been more apparent. Courses that were advertised as being offered online were cancelled...after I landed. The program was also advertised as a one year program. Then I found out it was in actuality a two year program...after I landed. They are still working out the kinks. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I was in the Biotechnology Master's program. This program was in its second year. It had just been established and that could not have been more apparent. Very disorganized. Lab facilities weren't even fully up to par because the school itself was in the process of moving from the "old campus" in downtown Cairo to the "new campus" in....the middle of the desert. The new school was maybe 1/3 of the way finished being built. Construction crew and workmen were on campus all fall long. Outlets were never working. Flies everywhere. Dead rats. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with my aunt and uncle. They had a house off campus. <br /><br /> I am grateful for my aunt and uncle's hospitality in hosting me. It was a little hard because I was an hour long drive from campus. That is quite the commute. And hard to make friends when you are off campus and everyone else is living in dorms on campus. If you go, I'd suggest living in dorms. |
| * Food: |
Do not eat food from street vendors. Distrust salad bars and anything that looks like it has been sitting out for some time. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The students were all Egyptian. They were brilliant. They were also very friendly and inclusive of me as a foreigner. I have no qualms on that count. They were great. I did not get to hang out with them as much as I'd like outside of class. We had a few group outings together. Those were fun. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Their health plan is: don't get sick. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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Finances
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | No thoughts. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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