One of the beauties of the University experience is the connection with students. The harmony of creating another family, and therefore, another home, makes the experience in Cairo that more comfortable. It is as if you have been brought together to unite with fellow Spirits, who are also on a mission. A mission to understand this thing called life. Only, the difference is in an academic scenario.
And so begins the life of a graduate student at the American University in Cairo. Well, that is if you are involved, or a member, of the Graduate Student Association. What a elaborate and diverse group of individuals that you may encounter! One of the precious beauties of being in Cairo, is that this familial experience can occur on one of the most mystical waters in the world–the Nile! Just ask how many students will be able to say they studied on the Nile?
On November 13, 2015, during the time where knowledge is obvious (6:00pm), the magic of study came to life. One of the beauties concerning this array was the diversity of Spirits, who were able to show their highlights and contributions to the organization. On the Al Saraya boat, the music of modern Egypt danced on the waters, creating a euphoric ecstasy on the French side of the arena. Many things come through, concerning the atmosphere for that night.
Introductions broke the stillness of silence, as the current President of the Graduate Student Association (AUC), Nourhan Khaled acknowledged her team. Then directing the limelight to Ghada Alaa El-Din Mustafa–a real treasure of decor for the space! Having won an international prize in microbiology in China, her words spoke truth and re-claimed power. Persistent in getting the audience to understand the hidden energies and auras of success in Egypt. While articulating that “there is a big, big stereotype that you cannot make it in Egypt,” she presented herself as a living, breathing, and walking testimony of doing what is said to be undo-able. Her words of “succeeding in Egypt, first,” rang loudly throughout the energies of that time. It was evident that a stigma had been broken.
Other conversations of empowerment happened between graduate students, both Egyptian and international, who shared their experiences and journey for coming to study in a mythical land. Expressions of frustrations, turmoils, and hope, happened between an Egyptian and a student from Atlanta, Georgia. The latter relayed her story of triumph, and how she overcame, what was meant to kill her. Proclaiming that peace does exist in Egypt. It is simply a matter of cultivating it. And it was such conversations as these, which would continue to highlight the night.
Music, hearing the oud, and the vocals of Arab chords brought laughter, and enlightened the essence of the feminine Spirit. As women of the Graduate Student Association danced in the way of those ancient Kemetic women, their spirits jokingly peeked through, to see what had attracted them.
And so that first event of the Graduate Student Association would live up to be a memorable one, a magical one. . .a mystical one. A connection between young and old; the past, the present, and those symbolizing what was yet to come!
