So I just started this blog this morning, and I find myself having to navigate the site and the blog in Arabic....It is the same for Google.. if I am to go to Google in Egypt it will be in Arabic. Same with this site... Thanks be to God one of the students that helped us out at our study area changed the settings for me! (We have an apartment close to the university that is rented out by Middlebury for the students to use for studying, hanging out, etc.) That is where I am right now.
After a week of orientation and getting to know each other, we are now all on the language pledge. So, that means all Arabic all of the time. The program HIGHLY discourages talking to people on the phone unless it is very close family. They also discourage English music and too much English reading/writing. It is an all Arabic all the time sort of deal. Though they acknowledge blogs as a good way to keep in touch with family and friends.
It has been tough, but I at least have enough of an ability to keep conversation, get around, and not stare. Ha!
Classes just started yesterday, so, time will begin to fly by. Just by looking at the schedule, I am going to be very busy with homework. It is an intensive program, but I am ready for the challenge. I am going to be taking Arabic 3 (out of 4) of Modern Standard Arabic, Egyptian Arabic 1, as well as Islamic Politics and Arab-Israeli conflict for my one-on-one class (one student-one professor).
Today, I am going to be meeting with the head priest at St. Catherine's Church in Alexandria. I believe it is the oldest Catholic church.. but don't quote me on that. I had the opportunity to talk to him a few days ago, and I told him I was interested in doing some service work. He told me to come back, so, we shall see. I also got an email from our Resident Director saying a non-profit energy company needed help installing solar panals at some of the Coptic churches. We shall see.
Random on Alexandria:
I rains here. When it rains, it rains A LOT. It was pouring over a couple days. Some of the streets were flooded. I will try to post a picture. until then!
God Bless.
After a week of orientation and getting to know each other, we are now all on the language pledge. So, that means all Arabic all of the time. The program HIGHLY discourages talking to people on the phone unless it is very close family. They also discourage English music and too much English reading/writing. It is an all Arabic all the time sort of deal. Though they acknowledge blogs as a good way to keep in touch with family and friends.
It has been tough, but I at least have enough of an ability to keep conversation, get around, and not stare. Ha!
Classes just started yesterday, so, time will begin to fly by. Just by looking at the schedule, I am going to be very busy with homework. It is an intensive program, but I am ready for the challenge. I am going to be taking Arabic 3 (out of 4) of Modern Standard Arabic, Egyptian Arabic 1, as well as Islamic Politics and Arab-Israeli conflict for my one-on-one class (one student-one professor).
Today, I am going to be meeting with the head priest at St. Catherine's Church in Alexandria. I believe it is the oldest Catholic church.. but don't quote me on that. I had the opportunity to talk to him a few days ago, and I told him I was interested in doing some service work. He told me to come back, so, we shall see. I also got an email from our Resident Director saying a non-profit energy company needed help installing solar panals at some of the Coptic churches. We shall see.
Random on Alexandria:
I rains here. When it rains, it rains A LOT. It was pouring over a couple days. Some of the streets were flooded. I will try to post a picture. until then!
God Bless.
