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Egypt
Why did you decide to study abroad?
Studying abroad is an excellent opportunity to combine travel and education. When I started studying Arabic I also decided to go to Cairo, Egypt. I have always been interested in traveling to Egypt for so many reasons (Ancient Egyptian sites, the culture, etc) but for me it was also one of the only places to study Arabic.
What was the greatest benefit of studying abroad?
By far the greatest benefit of studying abroad is learning how to start a new life in a foreign location. You learn so many things about yourself. On top of that, for anyone studying a language, being able to speak the language outside of the classroom speeds up your knowledge of that language exponentially. When I would study Arabic at St. Thomas, it was a bit frustrating because you sit in class for four hours a week, and that is really the only time you use the language. Also, taking classes (such as Middle East politics or Islam) in the culture of what you are studying gives you a different take on things you wouldn't be able to have by staying at St. Thomas. Of course, personal and academic knowledge are just the two main benefits. There are so many other ones too; you are able to meet so many interesting people from all over the world, travel to many exotic places, eat new food, learn about the culture, etc.
Can you talk a little bit about the services of the IEC?
The IEC was very helpful and supportive with my pre-departure plans. They were excellent in taking care of all the paper work and letting you know everything you had to do before leaving...and I mean everything, I didn't have one worry the whole time I was planning to come to Egypt.
Did studying abroad affect your ability to graduate on time?
I made the decision to study in Egypt as a freshman, so I actually took classes during J-term and the summer so I would know that I wouldn't have to worry about being behind. Classes at the American University of Cairo are only 3 credits, so even taking five classes leaves you short a normal semester at UST. However, even if I hadn't taken extra classes before, I would have only needed one or two summer classes to catch up.
Did you find classes that fit into your major?
My major is International Studies with an Arabic language emphasis and a Middle East Studies minor. Every one of my classes fit into my major or minor here. I was also able to fulfill my 300-level theology by taking an Islam class. Plus it's nice to get courses approved before you leave so you do know what will and will not transfer.
What would you say to students who are thinking of studying abroad?
I would have to strongly recommend anyone even thinking about it to do it. It is really one of those experiences you cannot explain on paper or understand unless you do it. The benefits far outweigh the costs, and there is so much to learn and experience outside of St. Thomas that will add great value to your education. My advice would be to try and choose a place that allows you to really experience a place different from Minnesota. I would also recommend going for one year if it is possible because it take a few months to really feel comfortable in a new place, and if you only study abroad for one semester, you pretty much leave the place right when you really adjust to it.
What is your favorite "study abroad story"?
Over the course of a year, you have so many "favorite" stories to tell people, and then once you get started talking about them you can't stop. I would say my most unique story was when I was backpacking in Jordan on break. A friend and I were at the Dead Sea for a day of swimming, not realizing that there are no taxis or buses going back to Amman. We ended up on the highway trying to hitch a ride. A truck pulled over, and we got in the back with another hitchhiker, who looked very dehydrated, so I gave him my water. He didn't speak any English, but we talked the whole way back to Amman. He was Iraqi, working in Amman to try and make some money to send back to his family who were still in Iraq. When we got back to the city he immediately brought me to a store to buy some water for me since he drank mine. Then he insisted on taking us out to dinner. Unfortunately, we were traveling to Damascus that night so we couldn't, but he was so insistent that we went to local bar with him. He treated us to a few drinks, and was offended when we wanted to pay for him. It shows the Arab hospitality that American news programs don't cover. He even insisted that if we were tired we could stay over night in his flat. It's something that I never thought in my life would happen to me, but when you study abroad you are able to experience so many wonderful and unusual things.
Studying abroad is an excellent opportunity to combine travel and education. When I started studying Arabic I also decided to go to Cairo, Egypt. I have always been interested in traveling to Egypt for so many reasons (Ancient Egyptian sites, the culture, etc) but for me it was also one of the only places to study Arabic.
What was the greatest benefit of studying abroad?
By far the greatest benefit of studying abroad is learning how to start a new life in a foreign location. You learn so many things about yourself. On top of that, for anyone studying a language, being able to speak the language outside of the classroom speeds up your knowledge of that language exponentially. When I would study Arabic at St. Thomas, it was a bit frustrating because you sit in class for four hours a week, and that is really the only time you use the language. Also, taking classes (such as Middle East politics or Islam) in the culture of what you are studying gives you a different take on things you wouldn't be able to have by staying at St. Thomas. Of course, personal and academic knowledge are just the two main benefits. There are so many other ones too; you are able to meet so many interesting people from all over the world, travel to many exotic places, eat new food, learn about the culture, etc.
Can you talk a little bit about the services of the IEC?
The IEC was very helpful and supportive with my pre-departure plans. They were excellent in taking care of all the paper work and letting you know everything you had to do before leaving...and I mean everything, I didn't have one worry the whole time I was planning to come to Egypt.
Did studying abroad affect your ability to graduate on time?
I made the decision to study in Egypt as a freshman, so I actually took classes during J-term and the summer so I would know that I wouldn't have to worry about being behind. Classes at the American University of Cairo are only 3 credits, so even taking five classes leaves you short a normal semester at UST. However, even if I hadn't taken extra classes before, I would have only needed one or two summer classes to catch up.
Did you find classes that fit into your major?
My major is International Studies with an Arabic language emphasis and a Middle East Studies minor. Every one of my classes fit into my major or minor here. I was also able to fulfill my 300-level theology by taking an Islam class. Plus it's nice to get courses approved before you leave so you do know what will and will not transfer.
What would you say to students who are thinking of studying abroad?
I would have to strongly recommend anyone even thinking about it to do it. It is really one of those experiences you cannot explain on paper or understand unless you do it. The benefits far outweigh the costs, and there is so much to learn and experience outside of St. Thomas that will add great value to your education. My advice would be to try and choose a place that allows you to really experience a place different from Minnesota. I would also recommend going for one year if it is possible because it take a few months to really feel comfortable in a new place, and if you only study abroad for one semester, you pretty much leave the place right when you really adjust to it.
What is your favorite "study abroad story"?
Over the course of a year, you have so many "favorite" stories to tell people, and then once you get started talking about them you can't stop. I would say my most unique story was when I was backpacking in Jordan on break. A friend and I were at the Dead Sea for a day of swimming, not realizing that there are no taxis or buses going back to Amman. We ended up on the highway trying to hitch a ride. A truck pulled over, and we got in the back with another hitchhiker, who looked very dehydrated, so I gave him my water. He didn't speak any English, but we talked the whole way back to Amman. He was Iraqi, working in Amman to try and make some money to send back to his family who were still in Iraq. When we got back to the city he immediately brought me to a store to buy some water for me since he drank mine. Then he insisted on taking us out to dinner. Unfortunately, we were traveling to Damascus that night so we couldn't, but he was so insistent that we went to local bar with him. He treated us to a few drinks, and was offended when we wanted to pay for him. It shows the Arab hospitality that American news programs don't cover. He even insisted that if we were tired we could stay over night in his flat. It's something that I never thought in my life would happen to me, but when you study abroad you are able to experience so many wonderful and unusual things.
