Walk like an Egyptian

Don't mind if I do!!!

I am bound for Egypt. Even though I leave on the 26th of April, I am still as excited as if it were tomorrow. I was selected from 14 other applicants from the Charlotte Metro area and beyond to be 1 of 4 that will participate in Rotary Distrct 7680's Group Study Exchange Tour. The district wanted to visit a Muslim country due to the pressing need for understanding and knowledge of the Muslim culture. We will visit all types of professional settings and meet fellow Rotarians in Cairo.

I really want to see the campus life of a university during my trip. When I studied in Mexico I noticed a big difference in classroom behavior. It was far more formal and students showed a lot more respect to their teachers than they do here. I'm not saying that my students are deliquents, but there is a noticable effort to say "usted" (the polite, formal way to address someone in Spanish) on behalf of the Mexican students. I am very curious to see what it is like in everday Egyptian campus life. I also want to see exactly what is said about America. I know what is said here in our media and among the population about the Arab world- I want to see if the same is being said about us.

My goals are to see my job being done abroad and to learn something from their methods. As always, a goal of mine is to break stereotypes. I'm not quite sure what types of people I will meet, but I hope to meet folks from many different lifestyles. Hopefully, this is the beginning of something new for me. I have always been mesmerized by Latin American culture; maybe now I will start a new cultural endeavor in North Africa and the Middle East.

Don't be surprised when you see my pictures. Be prepared for anything.