Al Jamiat Magazine » American Culture

Han Chen’s Cairo Experience

allizon — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 13:37:17 +0000

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 want to study international relations, they should definitely apply to IIPP. Also, many people had told me that Arabic was a tough language, but I am pretty good at picking up patterns/syntax, so I thought Arabic would be a fun thing to learn.

Were you living on campus or did you commute?
I commuted; it was about 1 hour from campus in New Cairo to get to my apartment in downtown Cairo. Bless etisalat for making an internet USB stick that works while commuting IN THE DESERT!

About Crew
How did you first hear about the crew team?
I walked by the Student Activities fair at the beginning of the semester and it seemed like a good idea. It was perfect timing because I was looking for something to join at school to meet more people.

What was the key factor that made you decide to join?
I was always going to be free at 6am so why not go ahead and try it out, right? And it was a 5 min cab ride from my home. On the first day, everyone was really nice and helpful to the new students, so I really liked everyone right away.

About Friendships
What was the best way you made new friends?
Find an activity I would enjoy even if I were still at school in the US, and keep doing it! Since I’m studying in a foreign country, I will inevitably meet locals, and doing it in the context of something I already enjoy (or learned to enjoy, like crew) makes it easier to find people I liked, rather than trying to make friends with all Egyptian people simply because I was in Egypt and felt like I should prove that I could befriend all local people. Because then that inevitably attracts people who are more appreciative of the novelty of having a ‘foreign’ friend from America compared to anything else.

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Life as a Woman

allizon — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 13:24:50 +0000

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. How wrong I was.

I dreaded walking to the school bus every morning, a dread that arose from knowing I must keep my head down and wear my sunglasses so to avoid making eye contact with any men. I always dressed conservatively, often wearing jeans and tank top with a cardigan, never showing my legs, shoulders, or cleavage; however it probably wouldn’t have made much of a difference if I had been naked: my blonde hair and white skin attracted attention everywhere I went. As I walked down the street, I would hear the police officers and bowabs begin to whisper and feel their stares begin to penetrate thorough my shirt. I was constantly angry at this situation; Angry that I, and every other woman, could not smile and converse freely with others in the street. Angry that I had to put on a façade, and a rude one at that, in order to get by without any mushkelaat (problems).

For all the disconcerting looks and comments I got, I always felt ten times safer in Cairo than I do living in downtown Los Angeles at USC. I felt safe even walking alone at night in Zamalek, which I would never do near my apartment in the States. I never feared being robbed or raped, which has a lot to do both with the pride Egyptians have in themselves, as well as the high degree of religiosity that dominates all aspects of their lives.

What does lack towards women in Egypt is respect. I taught refugees once a week in a an area of Cairo called Ain Shams, which is about an hour and half away from my house in Zamalek. The cab ride can get pricy (less than $10, but pricy when you have adapted to the currency), so usually I took the metro home since it costed 1 Egyptian pound (less than 20 cents). Each train on the metro has a car specifically designated for women. Men are not allowed in this car, although if you are a woman you are welcome to ride in the men’s car. My first time on the metro, I did not know about the women’s car, so I hopped onto the first car I found open. The train was so crowded; men, only men were pressed up onto me like sardines. And the smell, oh goodness. After a few minutes, I felt someone’s hand touching my butt; since it was so crowded, I assumed it was an accident and started to move to another wall of the train. I realized the man who had been grabbing me was following me as I moved around the train, his hand on my butt the whole time with the most innocent look on his face. Had this happened at the end of my residency in Cairo, he may have received a good punch in the face and some rude Arabic words; but since I was new to the city and unsure of my boundaries, I remained quiet, and his hand remained on my rear.

From then on I rode in the women’s car.

Rachel Tobias is a junior at the University of Southern California, majoring in International Relations and minoring in Entrepreneurship. Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, Rachel has had the privilege to travel to many different regions of the world, and is fluent in Spanish with a developing proficiency in Arabic. She is interested in working in international development in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East once graduated from college. Stay on the lookout for the fall issue of Al Jamiat to hear more about her experience abroad.

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Sites Every College Student Should Use

allizon — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 15:06:59 +0000

cc nimble photography

The idea of not being prepared or not knowing can be frightening. The world today relies heavily on Internet resources and it’s crucial to know them. There are multiple online sites that can really make your life easier. And while you’re transitioning into a new country and school, anything that could possibly make life simpler will be needed!

Here is a list of the top two sites for online calendars, music players, photo editors, and scholar search engines, all of which were resources I used non-stop as a college student.

Online Calendars: There is no option, you need a calendar/planner in college is you want to stay onto of your game. I suggest using an online calendar to organize class schedules, office hours, due dates, and meetings. It can start getting confusing if you don’t remember when and where you are supposed to be.

Google Calendar

30Boxes

Scholar Search Engines: Students write a lot of papers in college, so be prepared for tons of researching. Using a scholar search engine will provide you with scholarly literature that is more trustworthy and reliable than articles found with a normal search engine.

CrossRef

Google Scholar

Music Library/Player: If you are not the type of person to buy multiple songs from iTunes but still want to listen to good music, I suggest using an online music library or player. Playing music can do wonders for you. It helps some students work more productively and get in a better mood.

Grove Shark

Pandora

Photo Editor: Taking pictures is second nature while in college, and uploading them to Facebook is the obvious next step. Having an online picture editor is always handy to have around. You can use it for adding a fun effect to a picture of you and your friends, hiding that pimple you wish was never there, or straightening a tilted picture because your mom can’t hold the camera right.

Picnik

Phixr

Do you have any websites you can’t live without? Share what sites are the most helpful for you!

Allizon Munoz is a junior at Ohio Dominican University studying Public Relations and minoring in Marketing. She serves as the 2010-2011 Ohio Dominican PRSSA President and Vice President of Professional Activities for Delta Sigma Pi Omicron Tau. Connect with her here: http://card.ly/allizonmunoz

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To Drive or Not to Drive?

allizon — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 13:52:00 +0000

cc Menlo Photo Bank

To drive or not to drive? That is the question. When you make your transition to the United States, it’s important to adjust and make your new atmosphere as comforting as possible. You want to continue having a normal life, actually an extraordinary life. Getting a US driver’s license is one way to adjust to the American lifestyle.

Receiving your driver’s license can be a difficult task, but it is rewarding just like every other hard thing in life. There is a specific process you must go through before you are granted your license. This process varies from state to state. You will need to follow the guidelines of the state which your college or university is located. Besides the specifics, here are the basics which are constant in every state provided by USA.gov:

Foreign visitors who become U.S. residents can only obtain a driver’s license from the state in which they reside (not from the federal government). Each state has its own driving rules and regulations. Check with your state’s motor vehicles department to find out how to apply.
Once you receive your U.S. driver’s license from a state motor vehicles department, you will be permitted to drive in all other U.S. states. The laws in each state vary from one to another. It is your responsibility to know and obey the laws of that state while driving.
The residency requirement for obtaining a U.S. driver’s license varies with each state. Consult the motor vehicles department in your state for more information.
If you are a foreign student coming to the U.S. to study, contact the university or college you will attend, as most institutions provide students with additional driving information. The best option would be to contact your International Director.

Prepare to take and pass a written knowledge test, which gives you a driving permit, by studying your state’s Driver’s Manual. When you go to test for your actual license, you will need to pass a vision test and a driving test. You will also need to show identification (passport, documentation of new address, I-94 card).

But is getting your license worthwhile? Sometimes a US driver’s license is unnecessary. I would suggest every student to give the car-less life a try. Here are the reasons to not get a license versus reason you should:

Reasons to drive

There is poor public transportation at your university
You can be reliable on yourself
Having the leisure of going places on your own time and schedule
You plan on traveling to nearby attractions (road trips!)
You just love driving

Reasons NOT to drive

It will take time to study and take all tests
Paying for the actual license
Paying for a vehicle
Paying for gas
Paying for school parking
Basically, a whole lot of paying for things
The public transportation at your university is reliable and efficient
It is environmentally better to be car-less

If you are decided on getting your license or you are still unsure, talk to your International Student Director. They can tell you more information about the transportation at your university and help guide you through the process of testing for your driver’s test.

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Tips and Tricks to College Eating

allizon — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:00:41 +0000

cc Pink Sherbet Photography

A recent trend in the last three years has been creating a better lifestyle. A lot of times, America is known for its high rate in obesity throughout every age group. Luckily, there is a notable change in the market. Along with the rush of becoming environmentally friendly, people have also changed their ways to become organic. It has now become popular to shift to a healthy lifestyle.

It is always a challenge to continue a change in health eating habits, especially in college. Commonly, you hear about the “Freshman 15” when referring to your first year at school. The “Freshman 15” is used to refer to the almost-always weight gain when you begin college. But why is it so common to put on the extra pounds? When you move to campus, you have a limited opportunity to cook food in the dorms. Typically, you are only allowed a mini fridge and a microwave. You will also get a meal plan from your dinning hall. Unfortunately, not every school’s dinning hall will have the healthiest of meals to eat. Dining halls can also can trick you because they are most commonly in an “all-you-can-eat” buffet style. That is why we have compiled a list of tips and tricks on how to eat healthy in college.

Never EVER skip breakfast. Your mother was right, and so were your teachers and gym instructor. The biggest mistake you can make is skip breakfast!
Buy a water filter and a good water bottle. I would recommend the Brita Water Filter. It is crucial to stay hydrated every single day. Buying bottled water can become expensive but when you own a water filter you will be saving money and the environment by eliminating plastic bottles.
Follow the 80/20 rule; eat healthy 80% of the time, and indulge in something good and rich the other 20%.
Be a mindful eater. Allow yourself, at minimum, 20 minutes to eat a full meal. This gives your brain enough time to register that your stomach is full.
Use smaller size containers and bowls. When you only have one large bowl, it will be natural to fill it when serving things like potato chips. Having smaller size containers will help you control serving proportions.
Limit yourself to one serving when eating at the dinning halls. It’s a bad idea to always go back for seconds and you will be sure to see a change in your size if you do.
Take small plastic containers with you when eating at the dining hall. This way you can take back some fruit, yogurt, hummus, or any other snack that you can eat later on in your dorm room.
When you begin buying fruits and other natural products, be careful for the amount you buy. Though buying in bulk can me money efficient, keep in mind how fast the food will go bad and the estimated time it will sit in your fridge. Remember, mold is not your friend.

You can have the leisure of still eating the things you like if you can control your eating habits. But still be considerate of what kinds of foods you keep in your room. Eliminating fattening and unhealthy food from your shelf will save you in the long run. It is also helpful if you know how to read a food label properly. The University of Iowa provides a easy guide on how to read a food label easily. But what kinds of food should you buy? Take a look at our College Grocery List as a guide when going grocery shopping and remember our tips and tricks and you are golden!

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Getting into the Spirit

allizon — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:12:25 +0000

cc Alexandra Campo

The time is drawing near to begin preparing for school to start. One of the best ways to make your transition to school enjoyable is by actually being excited about your plans! Some may say they are about to leave everything they know, their comfort zone, but great things are coming their way. One of the best things students can do is channel their nerves into excitement, and having school spirit is a great way to do just that!

School spirit is the pride you have for your university. It shows others where you attend and why you are so proud to be there. Having school spirit will provide a more positive atmosphere not just for yourself, but for your campus as well. You form a special connection with your school and other students when you truly have school pride.

So how can you have school spirit?

Wear the gear. Get t-shirts, sweatshirts, lanyards, etc. You can usually find these at your school’s book store and sometime they are even available for purchase online. If you would rather not buy them, make them! A great idea is to have a get-together with friends, maybe before a football game, and make your own shirts with iron-ons or fabric paint. You’ll be creating something to wear all year long and great memories at the same time!

Display the logo. Make posters, buy stickers, or keep fliers with your school’s name or logo on them and add them to your desk, car, or dorm walls. Simple and easy!

Tell the people you meet. It is effortless to say, “Hi! I’m (your name), a student at (university name).” If you really love your school and want to represent them well, make them part of you. When you mention what school you attend in your introduction, the other person will know you must be proud to be there.

Add it online. Post it, write it, blog it, or tweet it. It is simple to add to your “About Me” sections on social media pages where you attend school.

Families can show spirit too! Get your family into the school spirit. When they support you, it will help ease the nerves and fears of moving away. When they have school spirit too, it really makes a difference!

And remember your loyalty and pride to your university should also reflect on the organizations you become involved in. Whether it be a fraternity or local school organization, always be proud of everything you involve yourself in!

Allizon Munoz is a proud junior at Ohio Dominican University studying Public Relations and minoring in Marketing. She serves as the 2010-2011 Ohio Dominican PRSSA President and Vice President of Professional Activities for Delta Sigma Pi Omicron Tau. Connect with her here: http://card.ly/allizonmunoz

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Goal Setting: Making it happen!

allizon — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:06:04 +0000

What is Goal Setting?

When a student first starts college, their main objective is to receive a degree but there are more things to be accomplished during their time in school. Goal setting is the key factor to success and something every person should do to get the most out of their life. It is human nature to set goals even if a person is not aware they are doing it. Setting goals before a student begins their college adventure gives them a proper incentive, a vision, and moving force that drives them to success.

Types of Goals

Goal setting is thinking and putting aside certain objectives you would like to accomplish. Some types of goals are short term goals, long term, academic, professional, and personal. Being a student in college doesn’t mean all goals should revolve around academic success. It is important to be triumphant in the academic realm of college, but it should be balanced with personal accomplishments as well.

SMART Goals

A great tactic to use when beginning your collection of goals is the SMART goal guideline. This guide is provided by Goal Setting Guide, and is a great way to effectively set goals and aspirations that are attainable.

S- Specific. Goals should be straightforward and emphasize what you want to happen. Specifics help us to focus our efforts and clearly define what we are going to do.

M- Measureable. If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it. In the broadest sense, the whole goal statement is a measure for the project; if the goal is accomplished, there is a success.

A- Attainable. When you identify goals that are most important to you, you begin to figure out ways you can make them come true. You develop that attitudes, abilities, skills, and financial capacity to reach them. Your begin seeing previously overlooked opportunities to bring yourself closer to the achievement of your goals.

R- Realistic. Be sure to set goals that you can attain with some effort! Too difficult and you set the stage for failure, but too low sends the message that you aren’t very capable. Set the bar high enough for a satisfying achievement!

T- Timely. Set a timeframe for the goal: for next week, in three months, by fifth grade. Putting an end point on your goal gives you a clear target to work towards.

Here are some examples of goals that abide by the SMART guideline, and flourish in rewards: Make the Dean’s List (an academic achievement recognition), attend at least 10 campus events, join a student organization, be part of a focus group, write an article and have it published, give a public speech, talk to someone new every day, try new types of food every chance you get, ace all midterms and finals, see all the tourist attractions in your university’s city, etc.

Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail

When a student realizes their aspirations and what they want to accomplish, the most important thing to do is write it down! Well not exactly write it down, let us keep up with today’s internet-driven world and use a website instead. An easy and free way to keep track of your goals is through mylifelist.org. This website is built to make goal setting a breeze. You have six different categories to list your goals; Travel & Leisure, Relationships, Personal Development & Community, Career & Finance, Lifestyle & Culture, and lastly Sports & Adventure.

The Challenge

The hardest part about goal setting? Staying on track. Students are motivated and determined when they begin school, but it is normal to lose that momentum later in the semester. They begin to have many more distractions and priorities sometime change. It is a typical challenge for students to stay on track throughout the entire school year. That is why it is helpful to document the list of goals and read through them at different periods of time. This will allow the student to evaluate themselves and it serves as a reminder of what they should still be working towards.

Allizon Munoz is a junior at Ohio Dominican University studying Public Relations and minoring in Marketing. She serves as the 2010-2011 Ohio Dominican PRSSA President and Vice President of Professional Activities for Delta Sigma Pi Omicron Tau. Connect with her here: http://card.ly/allizonmunoz

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“My first…” featuring Manoj Shah

allizon — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:32:50 +0000

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 New York City. Here at Al Jamiat, we are interested in hearing about your firsts and what they were like!

Manojkumar Mangalchand Shah (Manoj Shah for short) is a student at New Mexico Highland’s University, studying for his MBA in Accounting. Originally from India, take a look at a couple of Manoj Shah’s first experiences here in the U.S.

My first… canned food product.

I had several adjustments in terms of food. In India, farmers can’t afford pesticides or chemical fertilizers, so the food is organic. I never had canned food at home. I still don’t like it here and find it so ironic that the organic food is much more costly. I have had canned corn, canned cream corn, canned tomatoes, canned peas, and canned green beans. Many of these foods are not available fresh year round, so canned or frozen are the only choices. They just don’t taste as sweet.

My first… experience with American driving.

Traffic in the U.S. is radically different than in India. People don’t honk their horns all the time like they do in India. In fact in India, trucks actually have signs saying “Please Honk.” They even have fancy horn sounds. There we drive on the left side of the road and the steering wheel is on the right side of the car, opposite of that here in the states. Traffic is not fast in India like it is here, but there are stray cows, dogs, pigs, monkeys everywhere. Also, scooters, bicyclists and pedestrians mix with the cars and trucks. People move into the lane whenever they feel like it so you have to be constantly on the alert. The interstate between cities here in America are very good and easy, but fast. The rural highways are also easy. The highways/roads here in the U.S. are very smooth; they don’t have pits or gravel like my country.

To read more about Manoj Shah’s first experiences, make sure to check out the fall issue of Al Jamiat, coming out October!

Interested in sharing your first experience?

Email allizon@al-jamiat.com with your story and see how you can contribute to the “My first…” feature!

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5 Packing & Traveling Tips for Students

elissa_yonkers — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 10:39:12 +0000

Packing a years worth of life into two suitcases, weighing under 50 pounds (22.7 Kg), is difficult. Lugging them from one continent to another, through various airports is a stressful ordeal. So here are 5 tips on traveling and packing that will hopefully make life easier.

Ready to Travel

Leave small electronics at home. When I went to Austria I tried to learn the difference between a converter and an adapter. After blowing out an alarm clock by trying to plug my 110volt alarm clock into the 220 volt socket, I understood. Small electronics (ie. Alarm clocks, hairdryers, etc.) and voltage differences don’t combine well. Battery powered alarm clocks work well, and a day or two without a hairdryer should be survivable. While you can buy voltage converters, they can be difficult to use and expensive to purchase. Adapters simply allow the two different physical plugs to plug into one another. These are more common, and are available at most travel stores, in airports, and in some major shopping centers.
No pillows. Pillows are cheap in the US, costing $10 at Wal-Mart or other shopping centers. They are not worth trying to cram into a suitcase (no matter how squishy they are), where space for other important things (like clothes) could go. You might have to go without a pillow for a few days, but at least you will have clothes to wear during that time. If this worries you, bring a small travel pillow.
Don’t mention Lebkuchen at Customs. While customs officers are nice enough people, you don’t want to spend hours talking with them, after spending hours on a plane. It makes for a very long day and bad start. The items listed are likely to be confiscated at the customs check. For more specific information check out the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (cpb.gov) statement.

Here’s a story: When I came back from Frankfurt, I bought my sister Lebkuchen, which is a special kind of German cookie. The customs officer asked if I had any food in my bag. I didn’t want to say no, and have him find my Lebkuchen package, so I told him yes. He questioned me, being very polite, but since in my two or three times through U.S. customs no one had asked me questions before, I was a bit nervous. It’s like a cookie, I told him, pulling the package out. He tried to read the ingredients, but since they were in German, he gave up. No meat or fruit in it right, he asked, glancing down at the German label again. Not that I know of, I replied. Alright, he said, go on through. The moral of this story, is don’t mention Lebkuchen or cookies at customs.

Mad Packing Skillz!

Keep your passport on you at all times. You will need your passport constantly on your trip to the U.S. . You need it to get your ticket, to get through security, to get onto the plane, and finally to get out of customs. A passport holder which hangs around your neck or hides under your belt will be worthwhile. Vanity aside, it’s a convenient place to put your passport and ticket, and it also keeps it safe throughout your trip. Also, in case something does happen to your passport, keep a photocopy (somehow certified that it truly is your passport) both in your checked baggage, and in your carry on luggage, and finally at home. If the worst happens, and you do loose your passport, at least you will have some sort of ID and be able to get the help you’ll need to get a new passport.
Take a deep breath and relax. If you forget something, the world will not end. There are stores here in the U.S which will probably carry it, or you can most likely have someone mail it to you.

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Facebook: What is Your Online Image?

hannah — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:51:54 +0000

cc license, Gauldo

A friend of mine recently started going to a large four-year university, after having attended our local community college. While at the community college, she refused to join Facebook. It only took three weeks to go by at the university and suddenly she was an active Facebook user, like so many others I know.

Social networking sites, specifically Facebook, LinkedIn and MySpace are now a part of the culture at American Universities. Their names have become verbs. You can now “facebook” someone, as easily as you can call someone. Their impact on a student’s social life can be helpful, but also devastating. Fights can start over a message posted online or an argument can become inflamed and continue through these mediums.

College users often are so wrapped up in their own Facebook worlds that they forget about the bigger picture. An occasional photo of you and your friends having a beer at the local bar shouldn’t devastate your bright and shining future. Picture after picture of standing next to a beer keg and all your drunk buddies, just might. With the downturn of the world economy, the job market has become even more competitive.

So how do you keep that embarrassing picture from being viewed by potential employers? Simple, don’t post it. Don’t put things on Facebook that you aren’t willing to share with a complete stranger. Security measures are nice, but they aren’t fool proof, and people aren’t perfect. If you want to share the picture of you and your friends drinking a whole keg, then email them the pictures. Don’t post them to a website millions of people can access.

cc license, abbyladybug

Also, remember to self-check your online image. Go to your favorite search engine, type your name in and see what comes up. I assure you, that any computer savvy employer will do the same. Make sure that a simple internet search doesn’t turn up that picture you had forgotten about with your friends goofing off. Knowing your online reputation is comparable to knowing what your former employers will say about you.

Lastly, and perhaps the easiest thing to do is not do stupid things in the first place. In college, my favorite thing to do Monday morning was to pick up a copy of the school newspaper and read the police blotter. This is a log of select police incidents, which happened over the weekend. I was told by my boss on the first day of my job that if I was ever in the blotter, I would no longer have a job. School officials do check things like this and it isn’t hard for a company to find the newspaper of your school and search for your name.

These warnings are not meant to make you paranoid. I enjoy using social media and the web as much as anyone. I love spending time on Facebook and posting pictures of my friends. The internet can be an amazing social tool, but remember to keep your future in mind when sharing information. What you post on the net can be seen by anyone including that potential future employer.

Elissa Yonkers is a recent graduate from Bowling Green State University, with a Bachelors of Science of Journalism with a focus on Public Relations, and a very strong minor in German. With several internship experiences under her belt, she is looking to widen her experience and knowledge with a job in corporate communications, public affairs, or work in a public relations agency. Connect with her here: http://sites.google.com/site/elissay/

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