Best study abroad program in Cairo, hands down! Past Review

By (International Studies, University of San Francisco) for

AMIDEAST: Cairo - Area & Arabic Language Studies in Egypt

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Totally worth while. My fellow study abroad friends talk about how this was the best experience yet. We joke, will nothing get better than our time abroad!!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I really enjoyed my classes and my teachers.It was a very intimate classroom setting with small classes and great relationships with the professors. Small classroom sizes made it possible for the professors to take us out in Cairo on some amazing field trips. All the professors had taught Americans before so there was little different in teaching methods, however, the work load was intense and high standards were expected.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The strengths in the program was the administration. They were able to coordinate everything seamlessly from housing, classes, to long term trips as a good. They were always concerned with the students needs and had multiple times to express our concerns and give feed back. They were extremely knowledgeable about the Egypt and Egyptian culture, which helped with students transition into a new environment.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Living in apartment were able to cook on your own. AMIDEAST also provided cooking classes for the students to learn traditional dishes. The program also helped highlight great places to go in the city for good food.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We got to see all major attractions in Egypt!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I felt extremely safe in Cairo. The program did a great job taking safety and health into account. For people that got sick, a staff person accompanied you to the hospital to insure you felt comfortable and were able to communicate clearly.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
Language acquisition improvement?

Unfortunately students lived with other American students so english was spoken a lot. Langugage buddies and outings in the city either with friends or on field trips significantly improved our language skills. Additionally, through AMIDEAST, I had some of the best Arabic teachers I have EVER had.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Administration and Professors
  • Support and freedom from the program
  • Location
* What could be improved?
  • less english speaking amongst students
  • nothing else to be improved
  • course work spread out
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? An adventurous open minded, go with the flow student will have the best time with this! Relax and it will be the best experience ever!