While public displays of affection between genders are usually discouraged in the Middle East, it's perfectly okay for two male friends to be openly affectionate. Huh? Such apparent moral contrasts may take time to accept, but the wait is worth it. Embracing local customs is the only way to gain the trust necessary to talk with most Egyptians, an important step in building friendships and better understanding. Along the way, you discover that some things you value are more a matter of habit than virtue or reflection.

 

Life in the Middle East
Western students used to convenience and abundance must be prepared to face the difficulties and challenges encountered daily by the peoples of the Middle East. While MESP participants live in apartments that are comfortable and safe, there are many contrasts to Western life. This makes Egypt an exciting and challenging location for adventuresome students who seek a first-hand cross-cultural study experience.

 

First Things for Prospective Students
Some study-abroad programs often are seen by students as a chance to get away from it all, especially the rules and restrictions of the home campus or even the hometown. While MESP is an opportunity to enter into a different culture and learning experience, all applicants should know that the MESP community lives according to a covenant requiring students to observe a number of rules related to behavior, dress, and spiritual life. The covenant rules arise from two program goals:

• To build respect among MESP students necessary for processing mutual learning, experiences, and spiritual insights. Participants always represent a spectrum of religious and political views, and mutual respect is essential to sustain the quality of relationships and the regularly scheduled group worship.
  
• To show respect for the people and culture of Islamic Cairo and other areas of the Middle East as we seek to interact with Muslim peoples and institutions who are very concerned with issues of character and behavior.
  "No dating" rules, for example, support both of these needs. They help prevent exclusive relationships or "cliques" that inhibit mutual learning and respect within the cohort group, on the one hand; and, on the other hand, they respect Islamic behavioral expectations which frown upon Western-style dating and exclusive male/female interaction.

All students considering the program should read the materials related to the MESP covenant rules and be willing to abide by them, keeping in mind that these rules are intended to expand rather than restrict the student experience.

 

Spiritual Life
A range of activities is designed to meet the spiritual needs of students during the semester, including morning devotionals led by staff and students. While church is encouraged and the options are available, weekend and other travel components make student initiated fellowship and devotionals a primary means of worship. While the director and student intern share responsibility for morning worship, students are asked to take ownership of devotional time, whether sharing a lesson, a song, a word of encouragement, or other forms of expression.

 

Student Housing
During their time in Cairo students live in furnished apartments close to the MESP center in an area called Agouza just minutes from downtown Cairo and within easy walking distance of local shopping centers. Apartment buildings have caretakers monitoring traffic in and out of buildings. Among other things, apartments include kitchens, A/C, bedding and linens, and laundry service is available at a modest price.

 

MESP Center
The MESP Center is just minutes from the apartments. It consists of a reception area, language classrooms, a library, administrative offices, a kitchen, a lecture hall/discussion room, and a Yemeni "Mafrash" (lounge) for devotionals and watching videos.

 

Interaction with Egyptians
An integral aspect of any cross-cultural educational experience is time to interact with citizens of the host country. The MESP includes excellent opportunities for interaction with Egyptian students, guest speakers and service project personnel. Because of these and other events like home stays that last for one week, students are able to experience Egyptian life, language, and hospitality.

 

Safety
Approximately three million tourists visit Egypt annually and thousands of Americans and other Westerners live in Cairo. Though crowded, it is a user-friendly city with good, safe transportation and little violent crime. As part of orientation, students are taught the do's and don'ts of life in the city, considerably reducing risks.

NOTE: Due to constantly changing security situations in the Middle East, all travel plans for MESP are subject to change based on safety factors. The safety of MESP students and staff is primary. The director uses all available sources--locals, experienced expatriates, CCCU contacts, U.S. Diplomats--in order to assess safety conditions in Egypt or anywhere MESP travels. If travel to a certain region is cancelled, efforts will be made to create other opportunities that are safer yet equally valuable in terms of learning about the region.

 

Medical Services
Although medical care in much of Egypt is poor by Western standards, adequate health care and emergency services are available in Cairo. Please note: PARTICIPANTS ARE EXPECTED TO COVER ANY MEDICAL EXPENSES WHICH MIGHT BE INCURRED AND SO MUST BE COVERED BY A FAMILY OR INSTITUTIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE POLICY. All students must obtain an International Student Identification Card which provides supplemental health insurance to cover certain needs unique to international situations.

 

Transportation
Modes of transportation available in Cairo include public buses, taxis, and the metro train. The bus (while often crowded) is the cheapest, although a taxi ride is very inexpensive by American standards. The metro train is a wonderful transportation service and is inexpensive as well, though it runs north and south only. Walking is still the easiest mode, so bring good walking shoes.

For travel between cities, transportation via train is most widely used. For a day trip to Alexandria or a weekend excursion to Luxor, the Egyptian rail system is a good way to see rural Egypt. During orientation week, the MESP director and staff will orient students to the easiest and safest means of travel.

 

Weather
The weather will be warm during most of the program. The summer months (May - August) can be particularly hot with little precipitation. Towards September it is cooler but still in the high 80s and 90s. October, November, and December bring on cooler weather, with some precipitation in late November, December and January. In the winter months (January - March) it can be very cold - make sure to bring a heavy jacket for travel to locations with winter weather like mountainous Turkey, Lebanon or Israel. Even the desert can get extremely cold during this time.

Above: A student overlooks the Qadisha Valley in northern Lebanon