Han Chen is a student from American University of Washington D.C. and recently had the opportunity to study in Cairo, Egypt.  Her trip overseas has given her the experience of a life time.  Here is a sneak peak of Han’s experience in a new country.  Look for the full interview in Al Jamiat’s fall issue!
About Studying Abroad
What helped you decide to study abroad?
I had funding through my fellowship with the Institute for International Public Policy. Some previous fellows had studied in Cairo, and HIGHLY recommended it. If any other students of color …

While I went to Cairo to experience a new culture and a new way of life, I think a part of me really believed I would just be an observer. It is, however, important for us travelers to realize that there is no such thing as observing your surroundings. We are all active participants of the world around us, even if we are quietly sitting at the outskirts. At first, I didn’t believe that I would be treated badly, even as a woman. After all, I was only an observer. …

One of the greatest perks about studying abroad is the experiences students receive for the first time. Whether it would be your first time eating an apple pie, attending a rock concert, or seeing an amazing landmark.  Here at Al Jamiat, we are interested in hearing about your firsts and what they were like!
Shaheed Sabrin is a senior at USC School of Theatre, majoring in Theatre and minoring in Entrepreneurship with the USC Marshal School of Business. He was last Spring’s recipient of the Jack Nicholsan Award for Outstanding Undergraduate …

You received your admissions letter and hopefully a generous financial package.  I can imagine the immense excitement that you are experiencing. However, this excitement is shadowed by a feeling of concern and numerous unanswered questions spinning around your head.

Orientation
As a first year student you are most probably going to be required to come earlier than the upperclassmen for orientation. This is may be one of the most entertaining times of your university life and you should take full advantage of it. The couple of days of orientation are …

Whazzup? How’s it going? Sup, Dawg?
If you are not sure what the above statements mean, you are not alone. Each year, international students like you master the English language only to discover, upon arrival in the United States, that they cannot follow all of the conversations that involve them. The reason: English as a Second Language (ESL) programs cannot adequately prepare them for the dizzying array of slang, idioms and colloquialisms that color everyday speech in America.
“Students can feel lost in conversations,” says Mark Algren, Language Specialist at the Applied …