Is this program right for you?

This program is designed for students seeking a structured study abroad program where U.S. university students focus on one academic theme - Middle East/North African Studies, and can include an internship. 

The program is offered in partnership with AMIDEAST (America-Mideast Educational and Training Services, Inc), a U.S. private, non-profit organization that has been offering quality educational programs in Egypt since 1967. Staff management at AMIDEAST Cairo will provide a full range of academic and other support services. Classes are held at AMIDEAST's facilities in Dokki on the west bank of the Nile and students are housed in shared apartments in Dokki and neighboring districts of the Egyptian capital.  Many specific questions you might have about this program can be answered here.

Academics

Area Studies Courses

The Area Studies Courses will delve into the contemporary history, politics, culture and development of Cairo and Egypt as well as how Egypt relates to the larger region and the world. The wide variety of courses for three credits each available to students may include:

*The Development of Islamic Architecture in the City of Cairo
*Development in the Middle East and North Africa
*Introduction to Ancient Egypt*Ancient Egyptian Art and Hieroglyphs
*Pharaonic, Coptic, & Modern Egypt: Culture and Religion from Ancient to Modern Times
*Islam and the West
*Contemporary Issues in Egypt and the Arab World
*Community-Based Learning in the MENA Region
*Islam & Politics
*The Arab Spring:  Revolution and Reform in the Arab World
*International Relations in the Middle East and North Africa: Hard and Soft Threats
*Contemporary Arab Thought
*Comparative Politics in the Middle East
*Contemporary Egyptian Politics
*Islam and Modernity

Student Life

Housing and Meals

Students will be responsible for preparing their own meals in their apartments or may search out tasty and affordable meals, which can be found all over Cairo.
 

Excursions and Cross-Cultural Learning

AMIDEAST students participate in program-organized excursions both in and outside of Cairo to visit major attractions and historical sites in Egypt. The excursions are coordinated by AMIDEAST/Egypt in conjunction with the program's academic staff and are led by a member of the faculty.  Organized activities are combined with free time, allowing students to explore independently within a safe and structured framework. Excursions will include visits to:

    * Pyramids, Egyptian Museum, Citadel, Old Cairo and other major sites in and around Cairo
    * Alexandria
    * Upper Egypt

In addition, other optional excursions (at additional cost) will be organized based upon student interest and demand.

Activities

In addition to the academic program, the AMIDEAST Education Abroad Program in Cairo offers a variety of additional learning opportunities to enhance participants' study abroad experience.

* Civil Society: Students will encounter a variety of Egyptian civil society organizations ranging from local NGOs in a variety of fields to women's organizations to sports clubs. AMIDEAST/Cairo will organize special activities to facilitate student connections to these organizations.

* Service-learning: AMIDEAST/Cairo coordinates organized service-learning projects either for individual students or for larger groups. With many connections to a wide range of organizations in Egypt, AMIDEAST can adapt projects to individual student interests to ensure a unique and satisfying service-learning experience.

* Cross-cultural learning: AMIDEAST/Cairo and Arab Academy organize a variety of cross-cultural learning opportunities. Ranging from meet-and-greets to formal presentations, these events give participants the chance to interact with Egyptian students, to learn more about Egypt, and to introduce others to American culture.

Visa Information

U.S., Canadian and E.U. citizens may enter Egypt without a visa and stay as tourists or students for up to three months at a time. Those needing to stay beyond three months may apply for a one-time extension to stay for up to an additional two months. AMIDEAST will coordinate the visa extension process for students at the appropriate time during the semester. Students who are citizens of other countries are responsible for contacting the Egyptian Embassy or Consulate to ascertain if and how they should acquire the appropriate visa.