61 reviews
4.15 / 5 based on 61 reviews
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Emily O
Student life
Describe host city:
Students equally interact with the local and student community
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Nightlife: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Activities, Travel: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
Latex and Bling Bling are the two big clubs in Egypt, if you like sleazy night clubs- nothing can top these too. Girls- Remember that this isn't the states and guys here have other expectations of you.
The best place to get a beer after class is at Cafe Hurrayah.
In Zamelek, Sheesha is fun at Versailles, Goal is great for late night sheesha and is cheaper than at Versailles. Of course you have to go to Khan and go to Fishaways.
TRAVEL TRAVEL TRAVEL!!!!! Dahab is AMAZING
Foodwise- Go use otlob.com! Its the best for ordering out. Ask kids who have been there for awhile which resturants are the best, I loved Didos and Cafe Tobasco, Euro Deli, and a whole bunch of other places. Everyone delivers late- so enjoy!
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Emily O
Housing
Type of housing: Not technically ON campus but university housing
Arranged by: Host university
If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House
Why?
It would allow for more freedom... the guards can be a little strict sometimes, plus housing was so cheap off campus. I could have had my own bathroom... But living in the dorms allows you to get to know other people a LOT better
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Personal comments
It depends on what you like... if you don't mind dorm style bathrooms and roommates who stay up all night, then its great. You get to know other kids really well, but there is a lack of privacy. If you don't like cats, you might not like the dorm because there are lots of "adopted" dorm cats that live in the lobby. The guards can be strict with females sometimes, but its Egypt!
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2
Emily O
Overall
I wish I had known...
Girls- be careful. Egyptian men can be pigs sometimes... there will be bad experiences, but for the most part everyone is wonderful.
The biggest thing is that AUC is not always looking out for YOUR best interest. DO NOT let them push you around, and GO TO YOUR EMBASSY FIRST!!!! Your embassy will help you solve your problems to your best advantage while AUC will be worried whether or not they're image will be tarnished. DO NOT LET TOMADER PUSH YOU AROUND!!!! Don't expect Egypt to be like the US- but its an amazing experience!
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In my opinion:
Everybody loved it, you will too!
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
Go, because this is the most American friendly university in the city- because English is widely spoken and everyone is very WESTERN! But, like I said, AUC will not always be looking after your best interests. Be in touch with your embassy and if something happens, have your embassy help- DO NOT let AUC boss you AROUND AND "TAKE CARE" of you- your embassy will help you. The International Student Office is a joke... but Cairo is an amazing city and no problems I had with AUC could taint my time in CAIRO!
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
ENJOY!!!! CAIRO IS SO AMAZING! YOU WILL HAVE AN AMAZING TIME IF YOU KEEP AN OPEN MIND AND ARE OPEN TO DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES AND PEOPLE! KEEP YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR EVEN WHEN YOU WANT TO BE BACK HOME SO MUCH IT HURTS... IF YOU GET SO HOMESICK YOU CANT MOVE- BOOK A HOTEL ROOM AT THE HILTON OR MARRIOT! ITS A GREAT WAY TO RELAX AND "GET OUT" OF EGYPT WITHOUT LEAVING. Besides- talking to all the tourists who wouldn't dream of leaving the hotel not in a charter bus will be so amazed with your bravery! Its a great way to put things in perspective.
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1
Emily O
Academic
Course recommendations
First of all, classes can seem pretty easy, especially for people attending universities in the states. I couldn't believe how much they treat us like babies, until you see how immature some of these kids are! Just suck it up and deal with it. Besides, you're here to travel too!
Oh- Tomader (Head of International Students) is EVIL- beware!!!!!!!!!!!
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
The reasons some of the students there is dubious- its obvious they bought their way in. If you want a lot of work- take more challenging classes, if a class doesn't seem like a good fit (too easy, too hard) change it immediately! Make friends with Egyptian students!!! They will help you so much- EXPECT NOTHING FROM THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS OFFICE!!!! IF SOMETHING COMES UP- GO TO THE AMERICAN EMBASSY! TOMADER IS EVIL
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My opinion of the university assessment
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course
Essays and/or projects throughout the course
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Emily O
Languages
Language of instruction: English
Local language was: Different than language of instruction
Was learning English a key decision factor?
No, it wasn't.
Was learning the local language a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my the local language
How much did you improve your the local language?
My level before: Basic phrases
My level after: At ease in most situations
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
Lots of people speak some level of English, but learning Arabic is much more fun. Take your time and enjoy and use it to the best of your advantage.
I MUST warn you- there will be times when you will need an Arabic speaker. If you need to talk to the cops, the hospital, or a bawab. Make FRIENDS with Egyptian students and have them help you. They are all really nice and willing to help!
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4
Emily O
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Family
Other sources of funding:
Family<br>
Personal savings
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
EGYPT IS SO CHEAP! Especially compared to the US. But alcohol is a LOT more expensive than it would be in the US (in relation to Egyptian prices). Enjoy!!!!
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Nightlife:
was the same price as at home.
Travel, Telephone, Overall, Housing, Food:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
Cut back on the drinking... seriously it will save you money! Youre in a culture that doesn't emphasize drinking so going out every night with the American kids will not make it better. Enjoy a different style of nightlife. People will try to rip you off ALL the time- so find out how much things cost (like taxis, souveniers). Again, make friends with Egyptian kids.
Everything is really cheap- but if you just spend all the time, you WILL spend a lot more than you planned!
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