KFC and Old Rocks

Sitting at a Kentucky Fried Chicken, a few hundred yards from the last remaining ancient wonder of the world really makes you think. Where am i? Why is there a KFC next to the last remaining wonder of the world? In any event, KFC’s chicken is delicious, the restaurant is takeefed (air conditioned), and it’s got a fantastic window view.
Okay, from the beginning. To give a bit of an introduction, my name’s Dave Dowd – I’m milking my Stetson undergraduate experience for one more year (that makes five, for those who are counting) to study in a land of immense history, stifling heat, and choking pollution. Welcome to Egypt! Thanks to a generous check from Uncle Sam and a little support from Charlie Crist, I’m able to pursue serious study of the Arabic language – but more on that later.
So, studying in Egypt for a year…it’s hot, crowded, the works, but I love it. Living in Cairo definitely has its drawbacks: the lack of western amenities (Mi Mexico) and rife pollution (leaded fuel, anyone?), but these drawbacks are greatly outweighed by the positive aspects of life in the city. Egyptians are incredibly friendly, the city is extremely safe, and everything is really cheap. Dirt cheap. Really dirt cheap. There is nothing like paying $110 a month for a sweet, downtown apartment that makes you appreciate how far the greenback goes over here. Too bad women can’t spend the night, but…$110!
Back to the Giza pyramids. Standing at over sixty stories, these ancient rocks (ancient!) are solid testament to Egypt’s fantastic history. Panning the Giza complex one finds three massive and three much smaller (the Pharaoh’s wives) pyramids that have survivied nearly 5,000 years of oppressive heat, mummy attacks, and films by Brendan Fraser.
Gazing upon these ancient structures one cannot help but notice the cloudy haze across the horizon – Cairo. Modern Egypt stops at the foot of the Sphinx, the city’s ever-expanding urban sprawl creeping towards the crown jewel of ancient history. Twenty million Egyptians, perhaps 1.5 million Sudanese, and, more recently, a quarter of a million Iraqis, call Cairo home, stretching this city’s aging services to the breaking point. Given all this, Cairo still retains its title as the heart and cultural center of the Arab world. I feel privileged to study here and invite and of y’all (for true DeLandites) to come out and visit.
Studying abroad is a fantastic experience, be it in France, Cambodia, Egypt, wherever. Stetson’s stellar Center for International Education is always happy to help sort out study abroad, advising students on country choice and when to best pursue etudes etrangieres. The Gilman Scholarship, a federal scholarship to the tune of $5K (US!), is a major incentive to study abroad. Writing a good essay, getting great recommendations, and committing to a follow-on service project might just squeeze a big award check out of Uncle Sam. As a recipient of the Gilman Scholarship, I receive the privilege (read: service requirement) of writing a weekly article to my academic peers. I look forward to enlightening the Stetson community about the Egyptian experience and for those who have read this far, thanks an more to come!