BootsnAll Travel Community

So...I'm almost 24 now, and basically starting college over as a freshman because of credits not transferring, changing majors, screwing around/travelling...you get the picture. I really need to chill out for a minute and get a f-ing education before I'm 30. I don't want to be that chick cleaning the deep fryer at taco bell twelve years from now. Not cute. But I digress. Right now, Egypt is my current obsession, and I found out about the American University in Cairo, which actually sounds like a good school. So before I get out of here and commit (once and for all) to school, I've been doing lots of research- but personal accounts are good too, soooooo, if any of you guys have had any experiences in with studting in Cairo, or even visiting Cairo/Egypt in general, please tell!

I haven't studied in Cairo, but I have been there.

Cairo is a noisy, dirty, and generally rude city where its easier to take a cab than cross a street on the way to the National Museum.

I suppose others found it more welcoming, but I would look for a school outside of Cairo, in Egypt, if you are Egypt bound. Unless of course you want to study egyptology. The the National Musuem is quite a draw.

Hmmm. Thanks for the comment, Tortugatraveller.
The one thing that pretty much everyone agrees on about Cairo is the pollution and massive amounts of people.

yeah cairo is fun, dirty sure but what do you expect for the capital of the worlds most densely populated country in the middle of a big dirty desert to boot. cairo is an experience for sure. i would not decide to settle there without first checking out alexandria. That i feel is egypts great city. beautiful waterfront, worlds second largest library, laid back people, etc. i am not sure about the university situation there. good luck

The AUC is a great university on a lovely campus. You could do much worse. Is Cairo polluted & crowded? - yup, but it's vibrant & full of history. I love it.

thanks for the feedback, guys
I'm excited

If it makes any difference, my favorite teacher in high school went to the AUC. I've always been intrigued by schools along those lines, where they take a bunch of outsiders and create a little pocket in another country. If you do go, let us know all about it!

I have a friend studying at AUC this summer. i also have many friends (girls included) who have studied at a study abroad school in Cairo. Everyone says it is a life-changing experience, so I'm glad you're considering going. That said, if possible, you might want to take a trip over there to scope it out beforehand. I'd also consider the fact that you'd be there for four years (I'm sure you have, though). Have you considered school in the States, with studying abroad for a year or so? I've studied abroad four times, all of which I've loved. That said, I don't know if I would have liked doing all four years of my studies abroad, especially in such a foreign environment as Egypt.

But if you do, congrats! studying abroad is lifechanging, rather for six weeks or four years.

I was around the campus. I met the father of someone from San Fran studying Arabic at AUC. It looks like a great place: but you have to be a crowd person, cause it's jam packed there.

thanks for the comments, people! I sent in my application the other day, so I'll keep you posted!