Category: Learning Curve

Yup – it is true. The Faculty Services Committee has planned a bus tour of greater Cairo and the “New Campus” of AUC. It is an optional trip, and I’m not a HUGE fan of lots of people crammed on a bus, looking OUT of the fishbowl, yet I would like a better idea of… Continue reading Goin’ on a Bus Tour

Well, I’ve now taught a FULL WEEK of classes. Where do I begin? First – I take a taxi to and from school every day. The ride takes from 10 to 25 minutes, depending on the time of day (and the route that the driver decides to take). I “learned” early that there is a… Continue reading Another week & still overwhelmed.

I have class at 3pm. I have 3 handouts to give the class. One is one page – I got that copied and ready – No problem. One is 2 pages – I’d like that back-to-back. Saves paper. The photocopier is in the secretary’s very cramped office. She “works at her own pace” and noone… Continue reading Patience and Laughter (a.k.a. OMG I’m gonna lose my mind)

We were “warned” by a former faculty member that To Do lists were different in Cairo. One makes the list, just the same as in the States, however, in Cairo, one designates a time to stop for the day, does as much of the list as possible up to that time, and then stops. The… Continue reading The ToDo List

Sabaah il-kheer! (Good morning) We arrived last Tuesday, and have been in accelerated settling in mode ever since. The AUC orientation began on Sunday (Yes, Sunday is the start of the work week in the Muslim world). We have been inundated with information for the last 4 days. My tote bag weighs about 15 pounds,… Continue reading WHEW – One week!

As we were sitting in our brand new apartment, drinking scotch and physically and mentally collapsing, our doorbell rang. It was Matt. He is faculty at AUC and a volunteer mentor/friend for those just arriving. He lives in our neighborhood and knew we were scheduled to arrive Tuesday evening, so he stopped by to say… Continue reading Matt – our friendly “settling in” helper