Elie Martin is a study-abroad student from Sciences Po in Reims, France studying politics and government with a minor in African studies. He is completing his third and final year of undergraduate studies at AUC, with one semester in its Arabic Language Intensive Program (ALIN). With courses in Modern Standard Arabic and Egyptian Colloquial Arabic, Martin feels he is making great progress in Arabic and becoming attached to the language and culture of Egypt.
To me, language is an essential dimension of a culture and society. This is why the ALIN program was my first choice: an intensive learning of Arabic that appreciates the link between language and society. What could be better? I have made a lot of progress because the courses complement each other well. I am taking Modern Standard Arabic, Egyptian Colloquial Arabic, media, reading and writing classes. I had never taken an Egyptian Colloquial Arabic course before coming here, and that's where I've made the most progress.
The ALIN program at AUC is stronger than any other Arabic course I have taken. First, the program is mainly oriented toward oral and written mastery of Arabic, allowing for maximal use of the language in writing and speaking. At the same time, grammar is introduced gradually to allow students to progress without having to wrap their minds around a multitude of rules. Secondly, the program encourages us to practice outside of class, and immersion is the real secret to successful language acquisition.
Being located in the heart of Cairo allows me to be immersed in Arabic all day long. I joined the Egyptian handball club at the Nadi Markaz Shabab (Youth Club) in Zamalek, where we train three times a week, and it was the best decision for my linguistic progress -- I can improve my Arabic while having fun and staying motivated. When I'm there, people stop assuming I'm a tourist. It's very simple, but it feels good to connect with Egyptians. I also go to ahwas (cafes) to play tawla (backgammon) or simply chat, and on the weekends, I have more time to do cultural visits. So far, I have visited the city's main mosques, all the museums and other tourist areas.
My philosophy is that tourism is not about discovering new places but understanding the social logic of the places I visit. I want to see how people live, not just landscapes. I try to achieve this by traveling like Egyptians do: taking public transportation and eating in popular restaurants so I can meet more locals and practice Arabic. So far, I've been to Alexandria, the Black and White Desert, Fayoum, Siwa and the Red Sea. And the most memorable experiences are those where my encounters with locals have shaped my trip, like when someone offers to take us to a lesser-known place.
As I go to New Cairo next semester to take classes that will complete my degree, I feel a mix of disappointment and excitement. I am very attached to downtown Cairo; however, I look forward to taking new classes (especially those on Middle Eastern issues), and getting to know my teachers and classmates. I will continue to live downtown, and practice with the handball team. Though my daily life will certainly change, I am sure that I will continue speaking Arabic as much as possible!
Banner photo: Elie Martin at AUC Tahrir Square, photo by Ahmad El-Nemr