UC Berkeley Student Journal - Diving into Arabic language and culture in Cairo http://www.berkeley.edu/news/students/2005/ Description of the project Bonnie Powell - bpowell@berkeley.edu en-US About the project http://www.berkeley.edu/news/students/2005/cairo/cairo_about.shtml A year at the Center for Arabic Study Abroad in Cairo, Egypt. About the writer http://www.berkeley.edu/news/students/2005/cairo/cairo_bio.shtml Biography of Pamila Pengra, a May '05 UC Berkeley graduate with a B.A. in linguistics. 1. Packing two suitcases to last a whole year, and getting a mini-taste of Egypt http://www.berkeley.edu/news/students/2005/cairo/cairo1.shtml Just days before leaving San Francisco, Pamila gets her visa and decides whether to bring sunscreen or shoes. 2. Anarchy at the airport, tofu chunks, and a pleasant surprise at our apartment http://www.berkeley.edu/news/students/2005/cairo/cairo2.shtml Pamila makes it through the terrorist screening and only momentarily loses her cool. 3. Getting used to Cairo's heat, crowds of men, and cheap, yummy food http://www.berkeley.edu/news/students/2005/cairo/cairo3.shtml Musing over her culture shock, Pamila describes what life in the city as a Western girl is going to be like. 4. Pyramids aren't all they're cracked up to be http://www.berkeley.edu/news/students/2005/cairo/cairo4.shtml A field trip to the desert: a nice bus, panic in the pyramid, and a really, really big lake 5. Every day is a new experience, even if it's just riding the metro and watching a movie http://www.berkeley.edu/news/students/2005/cairo/cairo5.shtml Being grateful for the women-only car en route to an Egyptian home. 6. A trip to Alexandria with Roman ruins, Chinese food, and some challenging chats http://www.berkeley.edu/news/students/2005/cairo/cairo6.shtml Sampling all the delights that this ancient city has to offer 7. A visit to Mama's house turns into an adventure in non-vegan eating http://www.berkeley.edu/news/students/2005/cairo/cairo7.shtml A much appreciated taste of home, but sampling dairy after all these years has dire consequences. 8. Some thoughts on Islam, Christianity, and stereotyping http://www.berkeley.edu/news/students/2005/cairo/cairo8.shtml Once you get used to them, the trappings of religion are no more omnipresent in Egypt than they are in America. 9. Life goes on after the bombing http://www.berkeley.edu/news/students/2005/cairo/cairo9.shtml Responses to the last dispatch, and an update on learning the language. 10. Shopping - and getting a haircut - demystified http://www.berkeley.edu/news/students/2005/cairo/cairo10.shtml Daily life in Cairo gets a little easier. 11. Egypt takes a small step toward democracy http://www.berkeley.edu/news/students/2005/cairo/cairo11.shtml In May, Egyptians voted for a referendum that would allow multiple candidates to compete for the highest role in the government. 12. After a long, hot summer, finally feeling at home in Cairo http://www.berkeley.edu/news/students/2005/cairo/cairo12.shtml In May, Egyptians voted for a referendum that would allow multiple candidates to compete for the highest role in the government.