The bustling city of Cairo serves as an excellent environment in which to learn Modern Standard and Egyptian colloquial Arabic. For those students looking to quickly improve their Arabic, they can enroll in a rigorous 4-week or 8-week intensive summer session in the heart of the Arab world. Classes are held in AMIDEAST’s central facilities in Dokki on the west bank of the Nile and students are housed in shared apartments in Dokki. In addition to high-quality Arabic instruction, AMIDEAST works tirelessly to take advantage of the unique environment in which our programs are held by combining classroom instruction with experiential field visits and activities in the vibrant city of Cairo.  Students also participate in an overnight excursion outside Cairo.

Egypt is home to one of history’s first great civilizations. Situated at the northeastern most point of Africa, Egypt has long acted as a bridge between cultures of the Middle East and Mediterranean Basin and the peoples of Africa. Egypt’s nearly 80 million inhabitants rub shoulders with history daily, from the Pyramids and Sphinx of Ancient Egypt, to Roman ruins, from Fatimid mosques, and the ancient Khan el-Khalili market, to modern marvels such as the Aswan Dam. Here, visitors have the opportunity to experience life in a Muslim country and experience unique heritage and traditions of Egypt. Whether enjoying an evening falucca ride down the Nile, exploring a desert oasis, or wandering through ancient markets, each experience in Egypt offers rich insight into its remarkable culture. With its rich culture and exceptional history, Egypt offers unbeatable cross-cultural learning experiences for study abroad students.

 Introduction

In an effort to give U.S. undergraduate engineering students the opportunity to study in one of the most dynamic regions of the world, AMIDEAST is proud to offer a Civil Engineering Semester at Cairo University (CU). Although many engineers follow career paths that take them to a variety of countries, there are limited opportunities for undergraduates in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) disciplines to study abroad.  This unique study opportunity in the heart of the Arab world will help to prepare future American engineers to work effectively with people from that region.

The Pyramids. Luxor and Karnak Temples. Irrigated agriculture. Water wheels. Papyrus
boats that sailed the oceans. The Nile Barrages. Suez Canal. Aswan High Dam. Preservation
of Abu Simbel. El-Salaam Water Project. From ancient times to the present, many of the
world's most impressive engineering feats have occurred in one country – Egypt.

Learn & Serve in Egypt is a unique summer education abroad opportunity for undergraduate students to study in the Middle East/North Africa region and engage in an intense service learning experience with local non-governmental organizations. Students simultaneously study Egyptian Colloquial Arabic, allowing them to practice speaking the most widely understood Arabic dialect, while undertaking an international volunteer placement in Cairo, the Arab world’s most populous city. Students earn a total of 6 academic credits (Community Based Learning, 3 credits and Egyptian Colloquial Arabic, 3 credits). With the addition of cultural activities, dialogue programs with local university students, and excursions, students gain an intimate understanding of the role of organizations in Egyptian society.

This unique program offers students the opportunity to focus on the fascinating world of Ancient Egypt while living and breathing in contemporary Cairo. As “Um al-Dunya,” or “Mother of the World,” Cairo gives Egyptology students a unique look into the heart of both the current and ancient Arab world.

As part of the Egyptology in Practice course, students work on special projects with staff at the Egyptian Museum. Egyptology students have access to extensive on-site support including orientation, the opportunity to live in the center of bustling Cairo, structured ways to meet local Egyptian students, service-learning opportunities, and organized excursions to some of Egypt’s most historic and significant sites.

 The Pyramids.  Luxor and Karnak Temples.  Irrigated agriculture.  Water wheels.  Papyrus boats that sailed the oceans.  The Nile Barrages.  Suez Canal.  Aswan High Dam.  Preservation of Abu Simbel.  El-Salaam Water Project. From ancient times to the present, many of the world’s most impressive engineering feats have occurred in one country – Egypt. 
 

 Academics

The History of Engineering is a 3-credit course offered jointly by AMIDEAST Education Abroad Programs in the Arab World and the Faculty of Engineering of Cairo University. Topics addressed during the course range from ancient engineering feats such as the temples and monuments of ancient Egypt to ancient and modern water resource management and irrigation. Preservation and restoration of historic sites, including ancient monuments, mosques, churches and synagogues will also be covered.  These topics are addressed through lectures, discussions and numerous site visits and excursions. 

Excursions

The Pyramids. Luxor and Karnak Temples. Irrigated agriculture. Water wheels. Papyrus
boats that sailed the oceans. The Nile Barrages. Suez Canal. Aswan High Dam. Preservation
of Abu Simbel. El-Salaam Water Project. From ancient times to the present, many of the
world's most impressive engineering feats have occurred in one country – Egypt.

The Pyramids.  Luxor and Karnak Temples.  Irrigated agriculture.  Water wheels.  Papyrus boats that sailed the oceans.  The Nile Barrages.  Suez Canal.  Aswan High Dam.  Preservation of Abu Simbel.  El-Salaam Water Project. From ancient times to the present, many of the world’s most impressive engineering feats have occurred in one country – Egypt.  

Academics

The History of Engineering is a 3-credit course offered jointly by AMIDEAST Education Abroad Programs in the Arab World and the Faculty of Engineering of Cairo University. Topics addressed during the course range from ancient engineering feats such as the temples and monuments of ancient Egypt to ancient and modern water resource management and irrigation. Preservation and restoration of historic sites, including ancient monuments, mosques, churches and synagogues will also be covered.  These topics are addressed through lectures, discussions and numerous site visits and excursions. 

Excursions

History of Engineering students participate in program-organized excursions to many parts of Egypt to visit major attractions and historical sites. The excursions are coordinated by AMIDEAST/Egypt in conjunction with the program’s academic staff and are led by a member of the Cairo University engineering faculty. Organized activities are combined with free time, allowing students to explore independently within a safe and structured framework.  Excursions will include visits to: 

The Contemporary Egyptian Politics program offers students a comprehensive understanding of the political and social scene in Egypt today.  Students engage in a wide range of onsite lectures, starting with the founding of modern Egypt by Muhammad Ali in the early 19^th century, continuing through British occupation, the Egyptian monarchy,  the revolution in 1952, and the events surrounding the Arab Spring.

In addition to the formal lectures and meetings, students will be introduced to the Egyptian Colloquial Arabic language, engage their Egyptian peers in dialogues, participate in numerous cultural activities, visit historical sites in and out of Cairo, and meet with representatives from Egyptian governmental and non-governmental organizations.