“I don’t consider myself to be just Egyptian or just American. You can even hear it in the way I speak. I blend English and Arabic together all the time when I talk. I’m not one or the other; I’m both.” 

Born in Egypt and raised between Cairo and New York City, Moetaz Abdelhalim shares his thoughts on studying abroad in his home country and being a third-culture kid. He is a living testimony of what National Arab American Heritage Month celebrates. 

U.S. President Joe Biden officially recognized April as National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM) this year in an effort to acknowledge the rich heritage of the community and their contributions to American society. Through NAAHM, people like Abdelhalim have the opportunity to engage in conversations about their experiences growing up  balancing two cultures: the one of their parents and the one of their new homes. 

Abdelhalim’s parents moved back and forth from Egypt to the United States during his childhood, alternating between the two cultures for years at a time. “I only started to realize that my situation was unique when I was around 10,” Abdelhalim recalls. “That’s when I started to notice how different Egypt and the U.S. really are.”

For Abdelhalim, America has a distinctly individualistic culture compared to Egypt. “In the U.S., it feels like everyone lives by themselves and for themselves. Egypt has a much stronger sense of community and a feeling that we’re all in this together,” he states. 

On the other hand, there are pockets of similarities within the United States that remind Abdelhalim of Egyptian culture: “I live in Astoria, a neighborhood in New York City with very large populations of African, Latin American and Arab people. I feel a much stronger sense of community there than anywhere else I have been in the U.S. To me, it’s the place that feels most similar to Egypt.” 

A major difference that third-culture kids often have to wrestle with is the expectations of their parents versus the norms of their host culture. According to Abdelhalim, many of his American peers had parents who were much less strict, allowing their children more freedom to study what they want and pursue any career they wish. For immigrant parents, however, the stakes are higher.

“My parents worked their entire lives to be able to come to the U.S. and give me a good life,” Abdelhalim explains. “They pushed me towards STEM majors because they wanted to make sure I had a good, stable career. They were stricter than other parents, but it's because they wanted me to have a good life.”

Now back in Egypt while studying abroad at AUC, Abdelhalim’s Egyptian-American identity is often a subject of discussion, but he has become much more comfortable with his blended background. 

“Sometimes other Egyptians will make jokes about how I’m not ‘really Egyptian’ because I don’t like certain foods like kunafa or when I order chicken strips and fries at a restaurant,” Abdelhalim says. “Honestly, they don’t bother me because they’re just jokes. I’m just not adventurous with my food. It doesn’t mean I’m not Egyptian.” 

Other aspects of his identity stick out more, like his often English-Arabic mixed dialect. “When I first got here, I could barely form a sentence in Arabic because of how anxious I was about messing up or not using the right slang,” Abdelhalim recalls. “After the first week, I realized that if I just accepted that I was going to make mistakes, then I would learn a lot quicker and be happier.”

Acceptance and flexibility are major skills that being a third-culture kid has taught Abdelrahim. “My childhood gave me a very unique perspective,” he says. “When I encounter challenges or obstacles, I have learned to see them very plainly: Either the situation can be changed and will be changed, or it can’t be changed and we need to accept it.” 

The determination and perseverance of immigrants and their children in America is integral to the nation’s identity. For the Arab-American community, which began as far back as 1880, NAAHM is an opportunity to celebrate their history and acknowledge their contributions to American society. 

“I’m happy this month was recognized as a national holiday. It makes me think about my mom,” Abdelrahim states. “She wears the hijab, doesn’t speak English fluently, has an accent –– and her name sticks out. She has faced so much Islamophobia and racism in America. I don’t think this month solves that problem or erases her struggles, but I think it's a step in the right direction.”

Whether navigating a new country, learning a new language, making friends or adjusting to new classes, AUC students are thriving in their study-abroad programs. With over 200 partner universities and more than 300 study-abroad opportunities, the University’s liberal arts education prepares students to be curious, confident and flexible during their international learning. Read the first-hand accounts of these experiences from our AUCians abroad.

Abdalla Ashraf

The University of Oslo, Norway

“What I enjoyed the most was the autonomy, empowerment and diversity of the student organizations. Through reflections, conversations and mentorship in Norway, I had more clarity about the type of career I want to follow and, more importantly, the means to do so. I also felt excited to get back and share my learning, not only from my courses but also from the sustainable lifestyle Norway promotes. Learning at a liberal arts institution such as AUC made it extremely easy for me to fit in right away with the different types of learning environments.”

Menna Elzahar

University of Central Florida, The United States

“I learned how to live out of my comfort zone, make new friends, deal with homesickness and adapt to a completely new environment. I learned a lot about myself and American culture during my time there. I also witnessed how similar the education system in the U.S. is to our system here at AUC. There was almost no difference which helped me quickly adapt to the academics there and helped me achieve almost straight A's at the end of the semester. My time there was a special mix of fun and learning with my new friends.”

Farida Yehia

Sciences Po, France

“My time at Sciences Po gave me the confidence to be an outspoken person and engage in various conversations that are outside my comfort zone. My study abroad experience connected me with selective internship opportunities, including the one I am currently working at in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Organizations. I have also connected with alumni who have had similar experiences at Sciences Po and it has been very inspiring to me how the opportunities that AUC gives us can turn into lifelong learning experiences.”

Ahmed Yasser

University of Rochester, The United States

"My exchange experience at the University of Rochester was beyond amazing, to say the least. It felt like being a freshman again, unworried about academic pressures, all open to enjoying the college diversity, the city charm and the captivating nature. I loved the diversity of backgrounds on campus, the field trips to local museums and national parks, and the fruitful involvement in student activities."

Darin Hany

Sciences Po, France

“Studying abroad opened my eyes to an entirely different experience! I met people from different backgrounds and cultures, made friends with the most compassionate girls and was able to unravel the magic and history behind so many marvelous museums. At first I was super scared of the change and getting out of my comfort zone since I would be living in a country for almost five months where I didn’t even speak the language. However, I learned to adapt, to challenge myself and even unveil parts of my personality that I didn’t even know ever existed. Traveling abroad helps you unleash your potential in so many ways. It really is a once in a lifetime experience that builds character.”

International student Sara Carere has never experienced a month quite like Ramadan in Egypt. Living in wust el balad, or downtown Cairo, Carere has fasted with friends from Assiut, eaten suhoor on the street with her neighbors and watched hours of musalsalat (Ramadan TV series). 

“I was most surprised by how special and collective fasting feels,” Carere says. “Back home in the Netherlands I had some Muslim friends who fasted, but seeing Ramadan on a country-wide scale is incredible.”

Carere fasted the first two days of Ramadan to understand what her Muslim friends and neighbors were feeling firsthand. “It was really hard for me,” Carere recalls. “Maybe it's because I haven’t done it before, but not drinking water was so tough. That first iftar was incredible, though; water and dates have never tasted so good.” 

As a Middle Eastern studies student from the University of Groningen, Carere has spent her study abroad year at AUC making friends from all over the world. Her iftars have included traditional Egyptian foods and sweets, like molokhia, mahshi, kunafa and atayef, in addition to international foods, like Spanish omelets and pasta bolognese.

“I’ve really enjoyed this month because my roommates and I always have dinner together at iftar. Planning the meals, going grocery shopping and visiting the local market in Sayeda Zaynab to see the lanterns has been a lot of fun,” Carere says. “The fresh fruit juice from the street vendors is so good. My favorite is the coconut drink, sobia.” 

Living in downtown Cairo has immersed Carere in the Ramadan spirit. “The first night we walked around downtown until suhoor. Everyone seemed so happy and energetic,” Carere recalls. “We spent the night playing dominoes at an awha (local coffee shop) and drinking tea. It’s been a great chance to practice my Arabic.”

Ramadan has also highlighted some amusing cultural differences between the Netherlands and Egypt, particularly with regard to watching musalsalat. “In the Netherlands, we usually watch a show in silence and discuss it after,” Carere explains. “Watching the shows here with my Egyptian friends involves a lot more commenting and asking questions. I like it; it's more engaging. My favorite shows so far are Al Maddah and Al Soffara.”

At other times, the month feels bittersweet for Carere. “Seeing everyone breaking fast with their families and spending so much time together does make me a little homesick,” Carere says. “Thankfully, my dad is coming to visit next month, and I am so excited to show him how special Egypt is during Ramadan.”

Lights, camera, action! The Visions Film Festival, which took place at AUC’s Tahrir Cultural Center earlier this month, featured a number of projects by AUCians, including two student-directed films. 

Among the festival’s 32 feature films and documentaries were Way Home, which was directed by film and integrated marketing communication student Mark Ayman, and Okay, directed by Seif Abdel Raouf ‘19 and featuring a number of student and alumni actors.

Ayman submitted his film to the festival through an editing course he took at AUC. “Way Home tackles themes of loss and home and takes place in the streets of Cairo,” he explained. “My favorite part of the experience was when one of the audience members approached me after the screening to tell me how she was touched by the film and related to it. Her words made all the effort put into the film valuable.”

“Everyone involved in the film could not be prouder of the success of Okay,” said Abdel Raouf. “We submitted it to many organizations, and it has been showcased in multiple international film festivals and honored with prestigious awards. Experiencing the success of such a significant project to us is probably our favorite part of the whole process.”

Abdel Raouf’s film follows a young man who is visited by a mysterious entity when his parents send him to renovate their new house. Abdel Raouf’s project involved film student Mohamed El-Khatib and alumni Youssef Taha ‘21, Mostafa Khatter ‘19, Abdel Rahman Farid ‘20, Doha Youssef ‘21, Abdullah Shaker ‘21 and Sherif Dewidar ‘20. “I would like to give a special thank you to all of them for making this project a reality,” Abdel Raouf said, “Their passion was inspirational and their hard work played an essential role in elevating the film. Without them, this project would not have been possible.”

Participating in these projects gave team members the opportunity to explore new roles and further develop their technical skills. “Okay was the first film I had worked as a main actor on,” said El-Khatib. “I was also a technical coordinator and had the chance to learn more about the technicalities of screening and sound systems in theater halls.”

“Having the film shown on a big screen with a room of strangers is an unforgettable moment, and the whole experience has taught me so much,” Ayman concluded.

Campus is coming alive this month with the spirit of Ramadan — from streamers with crescent moons to celebratory arches and lanterns, festive energy can be felt in every corner. Ahead of the holy month, AUC hosted a Ramadan decoration competition, inviting students to submit sustainable, low-cost designs. Five students were selected as winners, and their ideas were integrated into the University’s holiday decorations. 

Rihem Sejil, who studies political science and journalism and is a recipient of the U.S. Department of State funded Tomorrow's Leaders Undergraduate Program, submitted a flag design and dangler idea, which was integrated into the library facade design.

Omnia Antar Aly, who studies history, game design and interactive design, crafted designs for streamers which were hung throughout the trees on campus. 

Nadine Ibrahim, who studies architectural engineering, contributed to the design of the library facade. 

Omar Basyouny, who studies mechanical engineering and psychology and is a recipient of the U.S. Department of State funded Tomorrow's Leaders Gender Scholars Program, submitted a design to make the AUC “C” into a crescent for the library facade. 

Youssef Anwar, who studies management of information and communication technology and is a recipient of the U.S. Department of State funded Tomorrow's Leaders Undergraduate Program, contributed two flag designs and a photo backdrop design. Anwar is studying abroad this semester. 

The Ramadan decoration competition provided an opportunity for students from many academic backgrounds to contribute to the holiday spirit on campus this month. “I was curious how the decorations for Ramadan would look like this year, so when the opportunity was offered for me to be part of the design, I couldn’t miss it,” Sejil explains. “My experience with designing has mostly been for digital uses. This is my first time designing for AUC and having my ideas printed and on public display, so I’m very excited!"

“As the leading University in Egypt, AUC was keen on playing a role in raising awareness of sexual harassment as an important social issue and supporting national and global efforts, in particular as they relate to college campuses,” stated Reem El-Mograby ‘09, director and Title IX coordinator in the Office of Institutional Equity, in her recent speech  at the Arab Forum for Sustainable Development 2023, where she represented the AUCSpeakUp campaign. 

Launched in July 2020 after a nationwide campaign on social media promoted the need to stand up to sexual harrasment, the #AUCSpeakUp initiative aims to reinforce AUC’s legacy of equity, inclusiveness and a safe campus by raising awareness of sexual harassment and offering a safe platform for individuals to share their stories. 

The campaign follows five pillars, S- Stand, P- Prevent, E- Empower, A- Act, K- Know. These pillars aim to create a collective movement against harassment in discrimination that will hold individuals accountable through reporting misconduct by educating the community on their rights and resources. 

El-Mograby was invited to speak at AFSD-2023 due to the campaign’s relation to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #5, which aims to support gender equality internationally. AFSD-2023 provided a forum for Arab representatives to share their work, learn from one another and develop plans to further their progress toward various SDGs. 

#AUCSpeakUp is unique in its multifaceted approach to implementation, as El-Mograby explained: “First, we reviewed our internal university structure, procedure and tools. Second, we introduced an anonymous reporting system to submit complaints. Third, we launched the first mandatory online training for our AUC community and visitors and vendors, and fourth, we created a multi-channel communication plan.”

Beyond campus walls, AUC engaged with the wider Egyptian community through an eight-month long public dialog series that addressed topics related to harassment and discrimination. The University also partnered with other educational institutions and international organizations, in addition to being the first university outside of the United States to join the Action Collaborative on Preventing Sexual Harassment in Higher Education. 

In her speech, El-Mograby shared updates on the University’s progress since the launch. “We have increased awareness on campus and our annual climate surveys show a significant increase in community awareness and general feeling of safety on campus,” she stated. “Several national institutions have reached out to us to help in strengthening their awareness efforts.” 

AUC is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment free from all forms of harassment and discrimination. The University’s strategic pillars aim to protect and serve their large and diverse community while sharing their knowledge at a national and regional level. 

“On a personal level, I would like to add that AUC is not only my workplace but also my alma mater, and I am proud to contribute to these efforts that have a broader impact on our Arab community. It is a right for everyone to be safe and to learn how to exercise this right,” El-Mograby concluded

Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to re-establish diplomatic ties earlier this month in a negotiation mediated by China. The two countries suspended diplomatic relations in 2016 after demonstrators in Tehran stormed the Saudi embassy  in response to a Shia cleric being executed in Riyadh. Ambassador Karim Haggag '92, professor of practice and director of Middle East studies in AUC’s Department of Public Policy and Administration, explains what this development means for the region and for global powers like the U.S. and China. 

What is the original source of conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran?

The conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran is historic and relates primarily to the status of these two countries as rival regional powers, going back even before the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979. Part of this rivalry is geopolitical and part of it is ideological. 

What is the geopolitical aspect?

It relates to security, specifically to the reliance of Saudi Arabia on American military protection, which is a clear security threat to Iran. Over the past 10 or 15 years, this rivalry has extended to other areas in the region, including Syria, Yemen, Bahrain, Lebanon and Iraq. Each country’s internal conflicts were influenced by Saudi Arabia and Iran’s interests in checking each other’s power. 

What is the ideological aspect? 

The ideological conflict is seen in instances of Shia agitation in Saudi Arabia that seem to be fomented by Iran. Saudi Arabia executed a Shia cleric in 2016 which led to demonstrations in Iran at the Saudi embassy. Hopefully, the limited agreement reached last week will defuse the immediate source of tension between the two countries.

Why do you say that the agreement is only “limited”?

The agreement brokered in Beijing was not comprehensive. While it did open channels of political communication between the two countries, which should de-escalate some of the rhetorical animosity on either side, it has not broadly changed their relationship as rivals in the region. 

Since the agreement is not comprehensive, do you think it will be successful in stopping bloodshed in the high-conflict areas these two countries are involved in?

It remains to be seen. The immediate litmus test of whether this arrangement is making real change will be Yemen, as Yemen is the conflict closest to home for Saudi Arabia and presents the most immediate security threat to the monarchy. After Yemen, we will also have to look to Lebanon and Syria to see if there are real shifts in the way Iran and Saudi Arabia are engaging with each other in these proxy states. 

Can you expand on what it means for Saudi Arabia and Iran to use proxies?

Sure, it means that they are leveraging their relationship with certain groups within other countries to exert their influence against the other power. We see this in Yemen with the Houthis, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Shia militias in Iraq and Syria.

How will we know if deescalation is actually happening on the ground?

Let’s look at Yemen as an example. There has been a tenuous ceasefire in Yemen since April 2022 between the Houthis and Yemeni government. If this arrangement between Saudi Arabia and Iran opens the door for a consolidated settlement to the Yemen conflict, then this will be a definite indication of the two rivals changing their approach with their proxies.

In our last discussion on geopolitics in the Middle East, we discussed China’s rising influence in the region. Why was China selected to broker these negotiations instead of the U.S.? 

The U.S. could not have mediated this discussion because it is not a neutral party; it has a major security role in Saudi Arabia and no official diplomatic relationship with Iran. China, however, has diplomatic relations with both countries and was able to frame its involvement with the conflict in almost purely economic and commercial terms, rather than in overt political or security terms. 

Why is China’s role significant?

Up to this point, China’s influence in the region has been rising steadily but has remained in the economic sphere. For China to involve itself in these regional political conflicts is a significant departure from its previous approach, but it's too early to tell if this will turn into a broader and consistently politically involved role for China.

Why is China suddenly the Middle East’s peacekeeper?

Well, let’s be clear on what happened and what didn’t happen. China stepped in to play a mediating role and achieved a narrow, transactional agreement between the two countries to open up communication. China did not fulfill any sort of broad peacemaking role and still has no involvement in regional security.

Who handles regional security?

The U.S. is still the dominant player regarding security and military presence in the region. China does not seem interested in contesting that role, even though it has been filling the diplomacy vacuum that the U.S. has left.

Do you think China’s involvement will bring U.S. focus back into the region? 

At this point, the U.S. has no interest in mediating conflicts in the region and has refocused its interests elsewhere internationally. The U.S. may be concerned with China’s expanding influence in the MENA region and that may be an incentive to pay more attention to the Middle East, but that is less about regional politics and more about countering China.

During a campus conversation last week, President Ahmad Dallal spoke about the University's four core strategic pillars — student-centered culture, academic excellence, future of work: extended ed and civic engagement — and explained initiatives and projects under each. In addition to continuing to focus on the current challenges posed by the devaluation, the University must work in parallel on realizing its future ambitions, explained Dallal. Here are the key takeaways from the conversation:

• Despite current challenges, the University must continue to work in parallel on realizing its future ambitions. The Strategic Priorities Roadmap reflects many projects and initiatives under discussion for years.
• The four core pillars are student-centered culture, academic excellence, future of work: extended ed and civic engagement. Supporting these pillars are main initiatives like programs of the future and campus building projects. 
• When asked about academic quality, Dallal said that AUC remains committed to creating new projects in addition to refining pre-existing structures. For instance, the University is currently working to create a PhD program for Middle East studies to further boost AUC’s voice in the realm of MENA political and academic thought. 
• Dallal also responded to questions about the timeline associated with these priorities, emphasizing that the University is in a transitional stage with regards to budget and financial support and is dedicated to ensuring talented students can study at AUC regardless of financial ability. The president also said that many projects will be started in the near future depending on donor relations and grants. 

Three graduate students from the Kamal Adham Center for Television and Digital Journalism were recently recognized internationally for their documentary films by the Broadcast Education Association. 

Mirna Abo El Seoud won first place for her documentary film “Golden Fingers,” which explores the struggles of women in Fayoum who specialize in making wicker crafts. 

Gehad Essam AbdelRazek was honored with an Award of Excellence for her documentary film “Quorsaya People,” which follows the lives of the farmers and fishermen living on the Quorsaya island in the Nile. 

Fatma Ahmed ElKhatib was honored with an Award of Excellence for her documentary film “Nile Inhabitants,” which explores the experiences of families who live in small boats on the Nile and make their living through fishing. 

Learn more about the center and its work.

The recent earthquake that struck Suez in February was moderate and caused no reported injuries or damages. However, it did awaken the memory of the disastrous 1992 Cairo earthquake that collapsed 350 buildings and irreparably damaged 9,000 more, resulting in more than 500 casualties and thousands of injuries,. 

News@AUC spoke with Ezzeldin Yazeed Sayed-Ahmed, professor and chair of the Department of Construction Engineering, to discuss the implications of the Suez earthquake and the ways in which Egypt can improve safety measures to brace for the next impact, today. 

Let’s start with the biggest question. How concerned should Egyptians be about the Suez earthquake? 

Any earthquake, regardless of its magnitude, has the potential to cause damage to infrastructure and endanger people's lives. Therefore, it is important to take any earthquake seriously and assess the potential risks and impacts.

While this earthquake was felt in some areas of Egypt, there were no immediate reports of significant damage or injuries. However, this is an important reminder to start preparing for future possible earthquakes in advance.

How should Egypt prepare? 

The government should develop an emergency plan that outlines how different parties may react in the event of an earthquake. An official emergency alert system must also be established in addition to an aftershock preparation plan. Additionally, Egypt’s infrastructure needs to be immediately addressed, which we also learned from the 1992 Cairo earthquake. 

What did the 1992 Cairo earthquake teach us?

Before 1992, Egypt at-large was not typically considered a seismically active region, and large earthquakes are rare occurrences. When the 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck in 1992, it highlighted the need for Egypt to improve its infrastructure and prepare for potential earthquakes. Design codes of practice were modified to include clauses addressing seismic requirements for design and construction of infrastructure and accurate seismic maps were established to complement these design requirements.

What needs to be done for Egypt’s infrastructure?

After 1992, Egypt introduced new regulations that required buildings to be designed and constructed to withstand seismic activity through appropriate structural systems and seismic-resistance materials. However, the effectiveness of these measures is ultimately dependent on the quality of implementation and enforcement, which, of course, vary widely in Egypt. Another earthquake of the same magnitude as 1992 could be catastrophic for Cairo due to unsafe infrastructure. 

What makes a building more susceptible to damage from seismic activity? 

There are many factors. One is age; seismic loads were not considered in the design of old infrastructure. Another is location: Infrastructure in areas with high seismic activity are more likely to experience strong ground motion that can cause more damage. The next is soil type, as soft soils, like loose sand or clay, can amplify ground vibration, whereas hard soils, like bedrock, are more stable during earthquakes. Additionally, tall buildings or those with horizontal or vertical design irregularities are more susceptible. Another variable is construction material. Much of Egypt’s old infrastructure was built using more brittle materials rather than reinforced steel or concrete, which hold up better to vibration. 

It’s been more than 30 years since the Cairo earthquake, what still needs to be done?

The country needs to immediately perform seismic retrofitting of old infrastructure, particularly those adopted for residence and public services. Inspection of new buildings should also be carried out and if needed, seismic retrofitting must also be applied to these buildings.

What is seismic retrofitting?

It’s the process of making pre-existing structures more resilient to seismic activity. This can be done by adding new elements or components that help improve a structure’s stability. 

How can new buildings be made more resilient from the beginning?

The design and construction of new infrastructure should consider seismic resilience from the start. Some special design requirements may be needed for foundations, columns and connections between horizontal and vertical structural elements. Moreover, lateral load-resisting systems must be placed in buildings as per design requirements. For special high-rise or severely irregular buildings, more requirements must also be implemented.