Al Jamiat Magazine » International Student

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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“My First…” featuring Shaheed Sabrin

allizon — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:33:30 +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 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 Actor and hopes to one day open a restaurant for his mother.

My first… time seeing the great pyramids of Giza

My first time seeing the great pyramids of Giza was such a rewarding and educational experience. I arrived in Egypt on my birthday, August 22nd, which was also the start of Ramadan. I contemplated not going with my University mates for the trip, but then realized the best time to go was with my school’s guided tour. I braced myself and overcame scorching summer heat in the midst of keeping my fast. As our bus approached the raised area of Giza, I stared in awe, wondering what genius went into constructing this massive structure of and all the history behind it. As soon as I stepped off the bus I was bombarded my children trying to sell me postcards for 5 Egyptian Pounds. Then, as I approached the entrance of the pyramids people tried hustling me into getting a 250 Egyptian Pound camel ride for only 2 minutes. I dismissed everything and headed straight for the pyramids.

Since the guards could tell I had some Egyptian in me, they rushed me to the front of the line where I approached a dark and humid entryway. My whole way up was extremely claustrophobic as the passage was narrow, but when I reached one of the areas that one of the tombs were held in, I took a breath of excitement. As I headed back down the pyramid, I made a promise to myself that I would not leave Egypt without knowing the significance behind Egypt’s fascinating monuments. Most of all, the great pyramids of Giza inspired me to not just live in Egypt as a tourist, but as a student of the land, journeying into the unknown and educating myself all throughout the semester.

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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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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Not Being Home For the Holidays

elissa_yonkers — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:47:43 +0000

cc license, stonepix_de

I spent my first holiday, away from my parents and siblings, with my German exchange students family. It was lonely, despite being welcomed with open arms by his family. The traditions seemed odd, despite the hours of study and discussion I’d had over the years about German culture and tradition during the holiday season. It was depressing, despite all of the fun I had hanging out with my exchange brother, his family, and friends. Overall, it was a very odd holiday season.

Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hannaka, Kwanza, New Years are all holidays where the importance of family, home, and being close to family and friends. It’s hard to get in the holiday spirit, when you have no family to go “home” to, and don’t want to spend your semester break recovering from jet lag or in busy crowded airport lines.

cc license, Rennett Stowe

To add to the lack of close family and friends, traditions in America will assuredly be different than those you might be used to. It could be a simple difference, such as not having a Christmas market downtown, or as drastic as normally not celebrating Christmas or understanding the customs around you. Going home with an American friend, while a great experience and a lot of fun, isn’t the same as being home with your family and friends, in settings you grew up around.

Like regular homesickness, there is no fix-all cure for holiday-homesickness. Even if you don’t celebrate the same holidays, it could be a lonely time. Most school dorms shut down for the two to four week semester break, and almost everyone goes home. Plan what you are going to do ahead of time, so like your American-classmates, you have plans to look forward too. Share your customs with your friends, and they might be open to incorporating some of them in with their own.

Overall, though, enjoy the experience of being abroad during the holidays. While it can feel alienating and lonely, it’s an experience most people don’t get the chance to experience. Take in the differences, understand them, and relish the time you have abroad.

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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Managing the Transition to University Life in the United States

hannah — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:27:08 +0000

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.

cc license, decade_null

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 going to be a busy time and there will be little time for you sit down and think about your family and friends back home. I would advise you to meet as many people as possible. You may not be able to remember all of their names, but once school starts you will at least remember their faces.

Culture Shock

Moving into a new and vastly different culture than yours can be very daunting. The transition will vary from person to person; some people adjust to changes easier than others. Try to be open and understanding of the “new” culture that you are experiencing. You will find many things that are considered “normal” in the U.S. are unacceptable in your culture. Try not to be judging of the American culture because that could distance you and make it more difficult for you to make friends. Part of your university experience is about learning about the culture.

Academics

cc license, Colin Purrington

The U.S. universities are very unique and different than any other university system in the world. Usually, your professors will require you to complete any reading assignment before the lecture. This way you will stay on top of your material and be able to get better grades during the exams. In most cases your grade will not depend only upon a single final exam. Usually it will involve classroom participation, homework assignments, mid-terms and final exams. University level work is very intense and demanding. If you have already developed good study skills during high school you should be fine.

Extracurricular Activities

There are numerous organizations that exist on university campuses throughout the U.S. If you find that there are not enough clubs on your campus, then you can start your own club. Learning in U.S. colleges is not focused only in the classroom; rather you will learn much more about yourself and grow as a person outside of the classroom. The skills and experiences that you gain as a club member will help your future in the job place and the community where you live. It is very important that you stay involved on campus and do activities outside of the classroom. These will increase your chances of securing an internships and jobs. Being involved will demonstrate to the employer that you are able to handle multiple tasks efficiently. In addition to that, through your involvement on campus your can show off your variety of your skills and talents.

cc license, williamscollege

Money and Documents

Once you come in the U.S. you will most probably open a bank account. I would strongly advise you that you check your online bank status regularly. Identity theft can be very dangerous, so make sure that once you obtain your Social Security number you keep it in a safe and secure location. Also, make sure you make copies of your passport and visa and other important documents that you receive prior to coming. Without identification at the airport or in a foreign country, things can be very complicated.

Coming to the U.S. is a new experience for you. Make sure that you take full advantage of all resources that are available on campus. Be happy and proud of your success. Also, be sure to enjoy the rest of the summer with your family and friends before you leave!

Stefan Ivanovski was born in Belgrade, Serbia but spent most of his life in Macedonia. He studied at an international school from 8^th – 10^th grades in the Netherlands. After graduating from high school in Macedonia with an International Baccalaureate Bilingual Diploma he applied to study in the United States. Currently he is studying at Bucknell University, in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania majoring in International Relations and Spanish.

To read the complete article, please see our current issue of Al Jamiat Magazine.

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