The experiential learning courses, Selected Topics for the Core Curriculum and Special Topics on Egypt, included field visits, guest lectures and interactive activities. The students emerged with a deeper appreciation for Egypt as one of the world’s ancient civilizations.
In the Core Curriculum course, classes were held at different museums across Cairo, including the Coptic Museum, National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and Museum of Islamic Art. Students engaged in scavenger hunts, wood and pottery workshops, role play, podcasts - and even curated a digital museum - to delve into Egypt's history.
With Special Topics on Egypt, students visited historic, architectural and artistic monuments in Saqqara, Giza, Old and Medieval Cairo, as well as Luxor, delving into the emergence of the Pharaonic state in Egypt's Nile Valley and extending to modern times.
This winter, students explored Egypt hands-on through two courses that had them navigating historic sites across the country, from museums, monuments and the pyramids to Old Cairo, Giza and Luxor.
"I initially decided to take this course because I am an architecture major taking a heritage design studio next semester. I thought this course could give me a head start. It certainly did not disappoint. In fact, the course exceeded my expectations. I could not have asked for a better way to learn about old Islamic Cairo than by actually visiting the place! Along with Dr. Hoda's guidance and enriching insights, I was able to master the course content, and this class was both enriching and enchanting.” - Taysseer Tamer
“What a delightful experience it has been partaking in this course as an engineering student who is extremely passionate about the historical, political and cultural background of her country. Beyond being academically enriching, this class provided an opportunity for hands-on experience and immersion that transcends far beyond textbooks, a major motivator behind my choice for an Arab Studies course. With Professor Hoda El Saadi’s guidance and through participating in daily field trips to museums, vivid palaces and exhibits, I have gained much knowledge seeing the monuments commemorating Egypt’s significant events and national treasures.
The daily class discussions made it the perfect choice for kinesthetic learners who visualize through real-life examples. What truly made this an exceptional experience were the friendships that blossomed along the way between AUC and Ohio’s Oberlin students, brought together by a shared passion for history, exploring these sights together and bonding over the experience (and Egyptian food, of course!). With the aid of AUC's Rare Books and Special Collections Library and the numerous visits, Cairo became our classroom, a living testament to millennia of eras and culture creating an experience that instilled in me a profound appreciation for my history as an Egyptian. I couldn’t have picked a better way to spend my winter semester at AUC!” - Maya Raafat
“This course was one of the most informative that I have taken, and it was truly a rewarding experience for me. I chose this class in particular for two main reasons. First, I lived and studied abroad, visiting Egypt occasionally. I was only able to watch the museums and Egyptian historical sites through TV and social media. Therefore, I found it a great opportunity to take this course to discover Egypt and its rich culture through field trips. Being able to physically engage with ancient sites and artifacts provides me with a deeper connection to the history of the country. Second, I’m studying graphic design, and I took some theoretical classes recently that focused on Arabic calligraphy and historical Islamic manuscripts. This course gave me the chance to see real Islamic manuscripts at the Islamic Museum.
Meeting Oberlin students who contributed different viewpoints to the course was motivating and enhanced my learning experience. What also made this course special was the dynamic teaching methods of its professors, Dr. Hoda and Dr. Zeinab, who brought the past to life with their passion and expertise in the history of Egypt. Through the discussions that we had after each visit, I was able to get comprehensive insight into the social and political factors that shaped Egypt's history.” - Mariam Hassan
"I chose this course because of its primary focus on active learning instead of the traditional lecturing style of teaching. Going right to the monuments we study in the morning makes it 10 times more eye-opening and engaging, as I can easily relate what was explained in class to what I have seen in real life.
What I found most valuable was the whole experience of weaving into a new group dynamic with people who think and act differently than you. The shift in perspective after the journey we had together as a family makes me appreciate our diversity, which was a catalyst for growth, sparked creativity, and fostered a sense of unity that transcended our individual backgrounds." - Omar Hagras
Graduate students in the Master of Public Administration and Master of Public Policy programs as well as undergraduate seniors majoring in political science and anthropology engaged with nonprofit organizations hands-on this winter through the Volunteer Management course, a first-of-its-kind for the Department of Public Policy and Administration.
The students went on a field visit to AlHassan Foundation for Differently Abled Inclusion, a nonprofit organization that serves people with physical challenges, mainly wheelchair users, in all of Egypt’s 27 governorates. They also engaged in discussions with guest speakers from the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development and Greenish, which develops solutions for environmental issues in Egypt through art, capacity building and awareness campaigns.
“Volunteer management focuses on the processes associated with overseeing a volunteer-based workforce –– recruiting, training, engaging and retaining –– to achieve the goals of a volunteer organization,” explained Shahjahan Bhuiyan, professor in the Department of Public Policy and Administration and associate dean for administration and undergraduate studies in the School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. “The purpose of the field visit and guest lectures was to ensure that students understand how such an organization operates on the ground and see firsthand the differences between theory and practice. This is typical of any experiential learning course.”
Students learned about social entrepreneurship, civic engagement and nonprofit leadership, including how to start a volunteer program, manage its performance, raise funds, build trust, establish a legal framework, balance ethics and accountability, and overcome challenges through community-centered solutions.
“Our visit to AlHassan Foundation was an eye-opening experience for me,” said Marwa Zayed. “|I was impressed by the staff's level of awareness, maturity, education and passion that I witnessed during our short visit. They are not working haphazardly; all their programs and activities are evidence-based and derived from recent studies and best practices in the field.”
Echoing the same sentiment, Marwa Ghoubashy said, “I heard about AlHassan Foundation two years ago, and I am genuinely astounded by their remarkable progress within such a brief period of time. Their efforts have led to the incubation of eight projects, primarily focused on promoting the inclusion and integration of individuals with mobility limitations. Witnessing their enthusiasm surpassed all expectations and left us with so much inspiration and optimism.”
The course aimed to prepare students, both theoretically and practically, to understand the critical role volunteer organizations play in the overall development of society, particularly in the Global South.
For Heba Ibrahim, the course was a stepping stone to her thesis, which focuses on volunteerism in Egypt. “It gave me valuable insights and ideas on how to manage volunteers in a nonprofit organization,” she said.
As Bhuiyan put it, “In this course, we tried to give students hands-on, practical adeptness to the realities of volunteerism and a window into the complexities of managing it. The mantra of success for volunteer organizations is to continuously raise awareness of the impact of volunteering on society and achieving the common good. The goal is that teaching 'altruism' may motivate people to become volunteers.``
And that is exactly what happened with MPA student Youssef Raaft. “This course changed my perspective on volunteer management and how it ought to be regulated. It has since triggered my interest to be an active participant in the development and enhancement of volunteerism in Egypt.”
