At the end of their AFS exchange in Egypt, we asked some recent AFSers from the USA about their experience abroad.
About Culture
About Language
About Food
About School
About Culture
- Everyone in Egypt is incredibly sweet and nice. What I mean is do not be afraid of people on the streets; if you ask anyone anything, they will go out of their way to help you and make sure that you are okay. People genuinely care for you when you are there, even if they view you as a tourist. Just relax while in the country, and go with the flow. As they say in Egypt, “malesh” and “mafish mish keda”, basically, roll with it and do not worry. (Aseem, Summer Program, 2008)
- The face-saving aspect of Egyptian culture was quite daunting. Word travels very quickly in Egyptian circles and everyone is only 2 degrees of separation away, instead of 6. (No surprise in stopping in the middle of a highway to say hello to friends in this city of 18 million). It was hard to get used to being consistently aware of the image you portrayed to everyone. There is no word in Arabic for “privacy” after all. The way you dressed, talked, or spoke was remarked upon by someone. When everyone goes out really dressed up every day, matching down to the seams in their jeans, you know that those safari clothes you took just won’t cut it anymore. There is a formality in the culture that we have somehow lost. (Danielle, Summer Program, 2008)
- Be completely open to everyone about everything. I was used to not having to tell everyone everything; but in Egypt I had to get used to just being open with everyone. I remember having a serious conversation with my host sister about how she waxes her mustache, and I had to burst out laughing when she asked, “Wait, you never told me what parts you wax!” (Jessica, Summer Program, 2008)
About Language
- Indirect communication was hard to pick up, I never knew if my host mother was serious or just biting her lip to keep quiet. (Isaac, Summer Program, 2008)
About Food
- Just jump right in to your host family’s way of life. My host family ate some meals on the ground and at first they wanted to move to the table for me, but I said no. The more you try to be a part of their lives the more you will get out, and you will fall in love with the people and the culture. (Adelaide, Summer Program, 2008)
- Go to cafes whenever you can because Egyptian cafes are amazing (and they’re everywhere). Enjoy the juice, especially mango juice. Go to city-stars, the citadel, old Cairo, Downtown, the Nile, sports clubs, etc. If you don’t like the food, say it’s good but you don’t like it. Don’t make a mess (or if you do, clean it up without bringing attention to yourself). (Isaac, Summer Program, 2008)
- I found it hard to convince my host family that I was full. They where always wanting me to eat more. I loved the food, but I could never eat enough. (Adelaide, Summer Program, 2008)
About School
- Teachers in Egypt expect much more on the students’ part; they wanted much more respect than American high school students are used to giving. (Isaac, Summer Program, 2008)
- The loudness of my family and the lack of privacy (sharing one room with four girls) took a lot of getting-used-to. Also the teaching style in school: I’m definitely not used to having the teacher announce who did best on the test. (Olivia, Summer Program, 2008)