Life at the American University in Cairo: Q&A

What was registering for classes like?

Registering for classes was simple. I took courses over the summer, which meant I came in with only one class that I had initially registered for. I just went to the registration office the first week I was on campus, which is orientation, and they were quick to give me the classes I wanted if they were open. You might have to take the Arabic placement exam, but I just went straight to the head of the Arabic department and told him how much of the al-Kitaab series I had completed, and he signed a piece of paper that exempted me from the exam and gave me the Arabic classes I needed. I saw a lot of people having a really hard time figuring out how to do some simple stuff, but you can generally simplify and even avoid most things you don’t want to deal with if you’re savvy.

What are the living conditions?

I am living in Zamalek, which is the campus housing in the middle of the city, and it is far better than I had expected – then again, I had been living in a mediocre hotel in Alexandria over the summer and had spent the week before coming to Cairo backpacking in Turkey, so my expectations had been pretty low before arrival. The dorms in Zamalek are beautiful and very modern; you have well-working AC, wireless internet, room service, and the rooms themselves are very nice – maybe even nicer than some of the freshman dorms at Georgetown. The bathrooms on each floor are fine, and there are free washing and drying machines (albeit just one of each on a floor). It might take a while, but you can also get refrigerators and microwaves. There are plenty of nice facilities, such as a cafeteria (though it is overpriced), a study lounge, a gym and a computer lab. There are also ping-pong tables and a basketball/indoor soccer court, and there are soccer games maybe every couple of nights. I’ve found all the American students to be very friendly and interesting (I suppose it takes a particular type of person to choose to study here), and the Egyptians (students and staff) are very friendly too, though you have to make the effort to get to know them. The big drawback is that it’s about an hour bus ride to and from campus, and you’re probably going to have to get up early in the mornings.

What is campus like?

I remember traveling to a bunch of American college campuses before choosing to come to Georgetown, and I have to say that AUC is comparable to the nicest campuses I’ve seen, if not better. The place is simply gorgeous. There are fountains literally everywhere (which looks cool juxtaposed to the desert beyond the campus), and the buildings are very Egyptian-looking but modern at the same time. The library is similarly beautiful, though the rest of the buildings on campus can be a bit labyrinth-like and hard to navigate (I was just thinking today that the Administrative Building would be the best place on earth to play laser-tag). The gym facilities are awesome, and there is an olympic-sized swimming pool. The one complaint I have is the dining selection – there is McDonald’s, Subway, Cinnabon, a pizza place, Egyptian food, and some other small spots, but it can be difficult to find good healthy food without getting sick of the one salad place on campus. Nevertheless, I find myself coming to campus even on the weekends sometimes to read and do homework somewhere beautiful.

How have you managed to meet Egyptian people?

Honestly, it’s been very difficult to meet Egyptian students. AUC is a bit cliquey, to the point where it feels like high-school (for example, there’s a certain spot on campus called the “Gucci Corner” – a corridor where all the rich Egyptian girls hang out), and I think much of it has to be that AUC almost exclusively brings in Egyptians of the highest economic bracket. My roommate bounced after two days in the dorm to live with his friends, and the rest of the Americans seem happy to stay in their American friend groups. I’ve been making some Egyptian friends at a church near the center of the city, but otherwise it’s been pretty tough unless you are a certain personality-type. I think the culture-shock and language/cultural barrier can make it really difficult, but the best people to befriend, in my opinion, are the janitorial staff and the random guards standing around everywhere in Zamalek. They are all the nicest people in the world and are your real, average Cairenes. They generally only speak Arabic, which will be good for you.

What is downtown Cairo like?

Downtown Cairo feels a lot like NYC in that it’s a bit overwhelming, but generally it is a lot of fun and you won’t run out of things to do and places to see. It’s very polluted and sometimes not so aesthetically pleasing, and you often feel like a cash-stuffed pinata. Egyptian men can also be very obnoxious to foreign women. Honestly, I much preferred my two months in Alexandria, but Cairo is its own thing and you won’t run out of really awesome things to do. It is incredibly rich in its history, and I suggest picking up an Egypt or Cairo guide and just circling spots on the map that you want to explore.

What is the sentiment towards Americans?

The Egyptian students at AUC seem more or less neutral about Americans, but when you go out into the city people don’t expect you to really know anything about Egypt, which means they’ll be really impressed when you drop the Arabic skills. Generally, if people aren’t trying to guilt-trip you into buying something way overpriced, they are very hospitable and love that you’re here to learn. They aren’t big fans of our government for the usual reasons, but people generally don’t hold it against you. Overall, the sentiment towards Americans is the same as the sentiment towards all other foreigners; they’re delighted that you’re here, and as long as you’re curious and willing to learn they will love you.

What is a typical class like?

All the classes I am taking really invite students to engage in discussion, and I think the professors do an excellent job of balancing lectures with class discussion. The professors themselves are consummate professionals and very accessible. I got a bit lucky by getting some of the most interesting and knowledgable professors; I know that a lot of other students haven’t been getting the same academic experience.

Some classes are just like any other class in the US – for example, I am currently sitting in my Comparative Politics of the Middle East class, which is more or less your typical Georgetown class. You do your readings and listen to lectures, write a few papers and take a few exams. Expectations are all the same, and the professor is great to talk to one-on-one. My Arabic in the News Media class is also like any non-intensive Arabic class you would take at Georgetown. I am also taking two seminars called Islamist Movements and Human Rights in the Middle East, which are heavy on reading and discussion, and just as interesting and intense as the titles would suggest. But my favorite class here is my Government and Politics of Egypt class, which is taught by a legal advisor on the Egyptian Mission to the UN. She is outspoken about the way that she understands Egyptian political society as a government employee but dissects every topic from all angles, and does a great job of lecturing and conducting class discussion. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed a class as much as I am enjoying this particular one. I’ve had a lot of reading and homework, but really, the workload is whatever you want it to be; you can get by without doing most of the work, but it’s really rewarding to do it so obviously I’d suggest taking everything you can out of class.

More questions? Email me at dck22@aucegypt.edu.