I still remember landing in Egypt and meeting my taxi driver, who was incredibly kind while breaking every American driving law imaginable. That first ride really set the tone.
One of the best and worst decisions of my life was coming to Cairo. The unknowns and obstacles that come with travel are some of the most exhilarating experiences I've ever had. Egypt is such a vibrant country with a rich culture that even after eight or nine months, it still has more to offer. But it has also challenged me in ways I didn't expect, forcing me
to re-evaluate some of my beliefs. Could someone recover from two weeks straight of koshary? Jokes aside, why do I say worst? Well, I've caught the travel bug -- since then I've been to more than 20 countries.
Breaking the Bubble
At AUC, I focused on accounting and political science. The University's diverse curriculum allowed me to explore subjects beyond my studies at the University of Central Florida (UCF). I was particularly drawn to Arabic and Islamic studies courses, which challenged my preconceptions and moved me past the surface-level understanding many Westerners have -- like imagining Egypt through a constant yellow filter with heat waves rising in the background.
My time in Egypt wasn't just about lectures and textbooks. I have fond memories of hiking Mount Sinai before sunrise with my French friend Stan, tearing through sand on an ATV [all-terrain vehicle] in Hurghada and spending countless hours talking with my UCF peers, occasionally over burgers or BBQ wings. As an American, it is easy to get stuck in a U.S.-centric mindset, but AUC constantly pushed me to look outside that bubble.
One memorable challenge was trying to negotiate with an Egyptian taxi driver at the pyramids. It was a mixture of hand signals, broken Arabic and -- thankfully -- my friend Josh coming to the rescue with his language skills. While initially frustrating, I quickly realized that these moments are part of the adventure and what make the Egypt experience unique.
The Real Lessons
Studying abroad once is a lot -- doing it twice took some stubbornness, creativity and more than a few raised eyebrows from my academic advisers. Most of them just told me to graduate. I felt re-energized after my first exchange but still lost. Without any internships lined up, all I was sure about was a vague, persistent dream. But sometimes, that's enough.
So I doubled down and found a second exchange program to AUC, this time through a different major -- perhaps the most American thing I have done in my life. It was a longshot, but it gave me clarity. I left after that semester feeling like I had a game plan and goal to pursue.
"Things in life aren't beautiful because they last; they're beautiful because they end."
Today, I'm preparing to pursue a master's in data/business analytics in three possible countries (China, Italy and the United States), thanks in no small part to the support of the amazing staff at AUC's International Programs and Services Office, who were pivotal in helping me find my next steps.
Traveling became possible through careful planning, budgeting and a high risk tolerance. For me, staying at hostels and chatting with locals was a great way to save money and get to know a place. I also used to worry a lot during my trips, but I find it happening less after trying extreme activities like skydiving. Obviously, not everyone wants to jump out of a plane at 15,000 feet, but we can all make an active intention to go out of our comfort zone.
My greatest piece of advice? Things in life aren't beautiful because they last; they're beautiful because they end. Life is too short to contemplate what could have been. As I graduate this spring, I carry with me memories of basketball games, late-night conversations, many small dramas and a deep appreciation for the Arabic language -- even if my favorite phrase is still khalas (no more).