I have been thinking about starting a blog now for a while and when I have finally sat down to write it seems really hard. I don't think its hard because I have nothing to write about, there are just an endless number of stories and because I have not really kept a record of them up to date its difficult to recall everything.

I guess I could start with my earliest memory of Egypt, which was the first night I arrived in Alexandria. After a 15 hour journey without sleep, the only thought on my mind was sleep. However, my plans were quickly changed as soon as I set foot inside of my dorm where I was suddenly swarmed without about 50 Egyptian female college students all loudly welcoming me and grabbing at me in a language foreign to me. I remember thinking that my roommate seemed really sweet but I did not understand what she was saying and honestly all I wanted to do was cry and ask myself why I agreed to move across the world for two months. That night I really thought I had a mistake by coming to Egypt because I did not understand anything anyone was saying. It was probably one of the most overwhelming experiences for me here so far.

Naturally, my comfort level here in Egypt has progressed quickly throughout the past two weeks. Obviously the biggest challenge for me has been the language and it takes an incredible amount of patience, confidence, and drive in order to even be able to hold a decent conversation with someone. The biggest frustration for me since I arrived has been that I only studied a type of Arabic known as Fusha in the US which is the Modern Standard Form used in news and media only across the Middle East. Every educated Arab understands Fusha in order to speak with Arabs of other countries. However, each Arabic speaking country has their own special dialect. Despite being aware of this fact before I left, I did not expect the Arabic I studied in the US to be so different from the colloquial dialect. Little did I know its almost like learning a completely different language and so far I have only mastered basic sentences. Thus, it can be a really discouraging experience at times because the Arabic I diligently studied for two years is not even applicable to rudimentary conversations in the street.

Despite my experiences with the language the transition into the Egyptian culture has been fairly easy. I definitely feel that some of my American peers are frustrated and suffering from this adjustment but I think it has been easier for me because in some ways since Egypt is like Pakistan. In my opinion, the conditions for foreigners and quality of life in Egypt is much better than Pakistan (no offense cousins, I still love to visit you). Because of this, I feel that I am used to the catcalling in the street, staring, or Muslim practices here that might seem strange or disturbing to my peers. Its weird because sometimes I feel almost to the point where it creeps me out how comfortable and close I feel to a foreign culture.

Of course, I have still had to adjust to dressing more conservatively than what I would traditionally wear in America, the food, and habits. One thing I read over and over again before traveling to Egypt was that the people spend a lot more time together and consider alone time sad. Now that I am here I am definitely a witness to the magnitude of time people spend together and care about each other. The girls in my dorm spend every moment they are awake together chatting, staying up all night, and having fun together. And they seem to be so involved in each others lives and care about each other so much. It never seems like they are in a bad mood (or maybe just because I don't understand everything they are saying) because everyday every person I pass in the building or on the street asks me how I am, how my stay is, or if I need anything. Even my roommate Enas is just so sweet, she never seems to get frustrated that I am very slow at communication or need help with my homework all the time. People always make time for each other here whether they have a loaded schedule or not. I think that Americans could learn a lot from this practice where we usually focus on ourselves first.

Of course, I don't think I would be as comfortable as I am without knowing that in every room next to me there is an American girl to confide in. There are three girls that I am really close. One is from U-M (Farhana) and the other to are from Michigan State (Fatima and Raven). I think we are going to get really close this summer and I am glad that they are here with me because we all seem to connect really well. However, at the same time, there is a downside to living with Americans because I have a habit of speaking English with them which is not good for my learning. I am hoping that in the next few days I am really going to break this bad habit.

Anyways, tomorrow the program is traveling to Cairo to see the Pyramids and I am so excited. After I return I am going to hopefully starting writing more specifically on my experiences with the Egyptian people and culture. Also I need to start hustling with my Arabic studies so I can begin speaking more. Hopefully pictures also. Thanks for reading :)