Classes start tomorrow - Northeastern's first-ever Fluid Mechanics/Mechanical Engineering course to be taught in Cairo -- shukran/thank you Dr. Mo (Professor Mohamed Taslim). Also, our Arabic language classes -- the biggest NU group of Arabic language students to study in Cairo: 24 students; 9 in intermediate Egyptian Arabic + 14 in introductory Egyptian + 1 Egyptian-American NU student who will serve as tutor, teacher's assistant, and "drill instructor" for the other 23 students.
I just left a group of our young women - my daughter and 8 others - at one of their favorite dinner hangouts, "No Big Deal." All seemed happy, tired, and ready for tomorrow. As am I. Tomorrow, I will get Dr. Mo to his classroom at AUC; meet the 2 introductory Arabic instructors and get them settled into their classrooms; then run back to Zamalek to meet Ms. Nermeen, our intermediate Arabic instructor (and our lead-teacher from last year and this year). Cynthia and I then will meet to finalize (?!) the ever-shifting calendar ... then back to AUC's downtown campus (soon to be shut-down, and moved to the middle of Allah-knows-where!) for an orientation on Service Learning in Egypt and an introduction to our service site, "Stable Anter" (pronounced something like stah-bull on-ter).
6 comments:
Thanks for the continued updates. You should try to get a pulse on the group around the split of hotels and the unexpected cost of meals.
We were under the impression that the cost of tuition covered "room & board as well as tuition. We're now finding out that it only covers room and breakfast. Not budgeted.
The split of students into 2 hotels added a reshuffle of roommates. Not ideal
"not ideal" ... indeed! dealing with "less than ideal" situations is part of the experience living in the 3rd world . . . and every student has shown great fortitude and maturity in dealing with "less than ideal" situations, and are still having an amazing experience, as best we can tell so far (only 12 days into it).
Cynthia and I have been surprised at the lack of complaints! so, if you're hearing concerns from your child, please have him/her approach me (or Cynthia) ... we want to continue to do all we can to make their transition to Egypt as smooth and as enjoyable as possible.
as for the reshuffle of roommates, we worked with everyone who was affected to make sure all had a say in who their new roommate would be ...
the students have known for months that their tuition dollars are used for all expenses for the program, including tuition. This is the best deal NU students can get -- the "leveraging"/use of their tuition dollars to cover airfare, hotels, touring/travel expenses in Egypt, program costs in Cairo, and all breakfasts plus several other "group meals." They have been told from the start (and repeatedly) to budget for extra meals - i.e., nearly all lunches and dinners - plus additional expenses (gifts, coffees, other things students buy ...). We do NOT charge students the "room and board" that they would have to pay (to NU or for apartments or whatever) if they were staying in Boston for these 2 courses in summer 1. so, again, the "best deal going" at NU as far as I can tell.
p.s. I said "tuition dollars are used for all expenses ..." I meant to say nearly all (with the exception of 2 meals/day). the rest of my comment spells this out.
I didn't hear complaints. On the contrary, I'm also seeing great fortitude and maturity in dealing with "less than ideal".
I'm reading between the lines (or listening between the words a bit).
The NEU deal for tuition dollars is a wonderful one. You're absolutely right that their tuition dollars are really working hard for them.
I'm just noting that based on what my student understood (or maybe chose to hear) was that the amount they budgeted to bring in cash should have been plenty for the trip. I'm sensing that the cost of food/water was higher than they expected.
PS. Your comments and your tone led me to think that perhaps it was *I* who misunderstood the NEU dollars at work in this wonderful program.
The email to the engineering students from Jeff Doughty on Dec 9,2007 said "This involves study abroad with Northeastern University instructors, and, best of all, YOUR PARTICIPATION IS INCLUDED IN YOUR TUITION! And, this year's destination country is EGYPT! That's correct, airfare, room and board to Egypt are included as a part of your full-time tuition for the Summer 1 term. Details of the program can be found at the Dialog of Civilizations site: http://www.iaf.neu.edu/dialogue_of_civilizations/summer_i/egypt/ "
Jeff noted airfare, room & board included as part of tuition.
I reviewed the Dialogues website and see there was no mention of meals included.
I'm glad that I asked, and I'm glad you've clarified. We can now plan ahead accordingly to make sure that our student's experience continues to be a great one(as it has been so far).
Best Regards,
Donna
No real complaints other than frustration with the project at hand that they are to undertake which I understand from my daughter that you too are feeling that frustration.
This is the second best experience of my child's life, the first being her going to Australia at the age of 12 with People to People and I know she grew from that into the young woman she is now and she is growing even more with this. Just wanted to share and say thank you.
Jo-Ann Peshniak
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