DukeEngage | Duke Center for Civic Engagement

I am no longer a teacher. I do not mean this figuratively. My students have not transformed in to my friends, they began as such. My students are not like my children either; I consider them my equal as they are my age. I mean this literally. After six weeks of teaching English at St. Andrew’s Refugee Center and conducting a two day workshop focusing on computer skills in addition to celebrating their accomplishments.

Can you measure success? I suppose each teacher is attempting this in their minds. By focusing on the improvements in their students the feeling of accomplishment swells. I might as well participate; my students dramatically improved their critical reading skills as well as their writing abilities. Well I guess that was the purpose of the trip.

Obviously, I came to Egypt for so many more reasons than this, and my interactions with my students accomplished much more than a simple sentence, pardon me, complex sentence can convey. While another purpose of Duke Engage is for me, the American college student, to learn, I think we should not change are focus from my students so quickly. This trip will not be both the beginning and end of my relationship with my students. During this month and a half, I have invested much into my students beyond time. I have taken an interest in their lives, and this interest will not cease after I leave Egypt. It will continue as we correspond through e-mail. Who knows? Perhaps one of my students will even be able to make it to America some day and I will be able to once again physically help. Regardless, while I understand that this experience is intended to be a learning experience (and this goal has definitely been met!), firstly, I believe it should be about the people we serve. It has been this for me.
 

I am only able to tell my story.  To hear some of the stories from the other members of Duke Engage Cairo, please visit dukeengagecairo.blogspot.com

Music enabled a level of bonding with my student Abdullah which to that day had not been reached by any other communication. This eventual connection began one day during a break in teaching; I asked my student what music he enjoyed. He was listed a number of American artists including Tupac, but his musical taste was much more diverse. In addition to the American artists that have an international following, he still enjoyed music from his home country. I asked him if I could listen to his music, and he eagerly agreed to bring in a flash drive to class the next day. Since the music exchange was to occur the next day, I set out selecting some essential American songs from my past to share. When the designated time was reached the next day, I was able to listen to a symphony of African music while I treated my students to the listening pleasure of Snow by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The General by Dispatch, as well as with a few other classics. Such a simple exercise as listening to the music of another culture is significant. Even in the United States, approving of someone’s iPod selection is a deep compliment, while insulting their favorite artists is a deep cut. By enjoying Abdullah’s musical heritage, I was able to connect with a portion of his identity and approve of portion of him. Similarly, by listening to and enjoying my music, he endorsed a part of me. This simple exercise enabled a level of connection previously not reached.

I am only able to tell of my experiences in Cairo.  To read about the experiences of others on the trip, visit dukeengagecairo.blogspot.com

“Why do you want to learn English?” I asked my Somali student on the first day of class. The answer seemed almost too simple. He wants to learn the language spoken around the world. This explanation is similar to my own reason for studying Arabic. A common desire to communicate unites us in our language studies. In fact, many similarities exist between me and Abdullah including a similar age, a common interest in soccer, and unfamiliarity with Cairo.

Had circumstances been different, we may have been lifelong friends, running cross country with our friends or, conversely, leaving our country without our families. Fate, chance, God, or any other reason could have caused our roles at Saint Andrew’s to be reversed. The book could have been flipped around in order that I could struggle to read English and Abdullah could attempt to teach English. But instead, I stand as the privileged American college student attempting to engage the world by teaching colors and prepositions in a small classroom filled with students.

Our summer program involving teaching English to unaccompanied minors in Cairo is only a fraction of the ministries of St. Andrew’s United Church in Cairo. Throughout the small complex, both children and adult refugees attempt to rebuild their lives through education in all areas. Most dream of moving to the United States or some other western country, but for now they continue to live in Cairo. I can only begin to wonder why I was so blessed with the opportunities I have been given. But perhaps this question is useless. Instead of focusing the reason behind the disparities in Cairo and around the world, I should focus on what I will do about it.
 

I am one of eleven students experiencing Duke Engage in Egypt.  To hear some of their stories, visit dukeengagecairo.blogspot.com/

Less than twelve hours have elapsed since my passport was irreverently stamped and I sauntered onward towards the heat of the desert. I immediately became aware of the foreignness of my new environment. The bus ride to the apartment initiated the culture shock as we experienced the mayhem of Cairo traffic. The two lane road routinely fit three cars across amid a symphony of horn blasts. Even purchasing some groceries for a morning breakfast initiated more trouble than anticipated. My Arabic ability is limited; hopefully this will change in order to allow smoother exchanges.
The first day culture shock was exhilarating, expected, and at times a tad frustrating. Prior to our departure the team participated in a training experience which in part attempted to help us interact with a new culture. But after actually experiencing the first day, I do not think any piece of advice could have prepared us for the experience. I think the issue is that we attempted to “prepare”; we set out to make a list of ideas and precautions in order to help the transition. Much of the information was useful, maybe even essential, but perhaps we could have set out with simply a positive attitude and a taste for adventure.

This is the entire Duke Engage Cairo Team outside one of our sites.

I can only tell of my own experiences.  To read the blogs of other members of Duke Engage Cairo, visit dukeengagecairo.blogspot.com/