This time next year, the SMU-in-Cairo program will finish its debut semester. In the fall of 2008, SMU will launch its study abroad program at the American University in Cairo, Egypt.
Dr. Karl Kilinski, an art history professor at SMU, is the director of the new program and is excited to offer a “more global study abroad program.” The American University in Cairo hosts 4,000 undergraduate students, 20 percent of which are from over 100 American universities. Whether a student is a theater or economics major, SMU-in-Cairo will offer a variety of classes that fulfill SMU requirements and also provide electives not offered at home.
“I’ve always wanted to study abroad but getting credit towards my major has always been a big concern,” junior marketing major Sam Stravinski said. “SMU-in-Cairo sounds like a really unique way to study abroad and get the credits I need.”
The cultural experience Cairo offers ranges from eating traditional North African cuisine to daily high tea at 5 p.m., left behind from the days of British imperialism. Dr. Kilinksi describes the largest city in Africa as “an ideal place culturally, socially and geographically.” Culturally, Cairo offers an opportunity to learn about different traditions in a social environment that welcomes international students and embraces a variety of ethnic backgrounds. Geographically speaking, Cairo is a central place where students can take advantage of travel opportunities. Many study-abroad students enjoy using their temporary homes as springboards for weekend trips, and SMU-in-Cairo will be no different. With Athens only a two-hour plane ride away and Frankfurt three hours away, Cairo can serve as a great home base for a variety of vacations. In addition to European travels, students can easily explore neighboring countries such as Morocco or Tunisia.
Students don’t have to be fluent in Arabic to take advantage of this new program since most of the Cairo inhabitants speak English and all of the classes will be taught in English. Many of the faculty members will be visiting professors from different American universities. While Cairo might seem far away, Dr. Kilinski points out many similarities between SMU and The American University in Cairo. Both are private universities founded around the same time “with the same goal to provide a balanced liberal arts education.”
For the same price as a semester at SMU students can gain more than just credit hours. While the dollar drops daily, Cairo, known as a rest-and relaxation getaway for wealthy middle easterners, offers a comparatively low cost of living in magnificent surroundings. As far as housing is concerned, just as it is at SMU, students will have the opportunity to choose to live on campus in one of the state-of-the-art dorms to be completed this summer or at an off-campus apartment. SMU will offer both merit and need-based scholarships for this program.
For further information on SMU-in-Cairo, there will be an information session Nov. 15 at 4 p.m., room B 600 in the Owen Fine Arts Center. Contact the program director via e-mail at [email protected].
