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Ole Abroad (Dan): A Black Eye and Arab Dance Moves

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Daniel Sacerio Student Contributor, St. Olaf College
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Bri Wilson Student Contributor, St. Olaf College
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at St Olaf chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

Marhaba!
 
I’m now just beginning my fifth week of classes and I can say wholeheartedly that Egypt hasn’t lost its magic. I had a full week of classes, but that didn’t deter me in continuing my adventures in Egypt. In my first entry, I forget to mention the classes I am taking. I am taking five classes: Non-Muslim Communities in the Muslim World, State, Capital and Rural Lives, Protest and Dissent Movements in the Middle East, Colloquial Arabic, and Modern Standard Arabic.

I have to say I like all of my classes. Especially in my classes that directly relate to the the Middle East, as I learn about events/issues that may be sometimes ignored in the U.S., many times through other students’ input. My professors are also all amazing!

 
The highlight of this week had to be the trip to Ain Sukhna, a beach resort area in the Suez Governorate. It was a free trip arranged by the International Students Office, as a kind of belated welcome to all of the international students. As I imagined, it was pretty fantastic!

We spent the first hour attending two half-hour lectures about some issues that effect International Students, such as the harrassment that is faced in certain parts of Cairo and Egypt. After the lectures it was right to lunch and then the beach. Since I am Cuban I’m used to sandier beaches and Ain Sukhna was quite rocky, but was probably one of the funniest experiences I have had since being in Egypt, especially as I am trying to traverse sea urchins and rocks that were REALLY slippery. I fell and cut myself a couple times, and I even gave myself a black eye, which was hilarious! The night was topped off with music and dancing, and I most definitely brought it on the dance floor with some of the Arab dance moves that I learned in Jordan! The last song that was played was ironically salsa and the people who knew I was Cuban obviously wanted me brake it down even more. It was epic!

 
Ma’asalama

[The sunset at the resort we were staying at for the day.]
 

*Daniel Sacerio ’13 is studying at the American University of Cairo in Cairo, Egypt  for the whole year. He majors in  Sociology/Anthropology and Middle East Studies.
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Daniel Sacerio
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Bri Wilson

St Olaf

Bri attends St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota and is majoring in Psychology with concentrations in Media Studies and Women's Studies. She is most passionate about writing, traveling, cooking, hand-written letters and cheering on the Minnesota Vikings and Wisconsin Badgers. In her free time, she enjoys running, photography, attempting to blog and spending time with her amazing family and friends. She is currently an Arts & Entertainment Editor for the St. Olaf College newspaper with the lovely Lucy Casale and aspires to further explore the field of journalism after graduation.