Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Frustrating but worth it Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/23/2017 to 05/20/2017 with

Study Abroad in Egypt at the American University in Cairo

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about myself and about the culture.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I like most of my classes at AUC, but they weren't nearly as challenging as Wellesley courses.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I would go somewhere else in the Middle East that has more exposure to the culture. AUC is very segregated from the rest of Cairo Society.

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)

This is likely to change in the future, when the Egyptian pound strengthens.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100 or less
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? No

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Other students
  • Prices
  • Ease of travel
* What could be improved?
  • Bureaucracy
  • Food
  • Exposure to Cairo
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How wealthy and isolated the AUC population was/is.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.