Exploring Egypt: Penn State students immerse themselves in culture and history

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Over spring break, a group of Penn State students traveled to Cairo, Egypt, through the “ARAB 099/499 Youth Life in Egypt” embedded program — one of three embedded programs offered by the College of the Liberal Arts during spring break.

Led by Associate Teaching Professor of Arabic Reham Aly and accompanied by graduate student Mariam Sherif Safyeldeen, the program in the Department of Comparative Literature offered students the chance to immerse themselves in Egyptian culture while bringing their classroom learning to life.

Over the course of eight days, the group explored Egypt’s vibrant history, culture and society — from ancient landmarks to modern-day life — examining how the past continues to shape the country today.

“There are so many departments and colleges that support experiences like this, and they’re really worth pursuing because they can really help expand your worldview,” said Sé Morrisson, a fourth-year student quadruple majoring in African studies, anthropology, classics and ancient Mediterranean studies and history. “If you’re studying these topics in class or through research or an internship, it’s so valuable to actually visit the places you’re learning about and engage with them firsthand.”

Morrisson, a State College, Pennsylvania, native, is familiar with the College of the Liberal Arts’ education abroad programs having spent a semester in Greece during their second year and participating in faculty-led programs during the summer. This specific embedded program gave them the unique opportunity to explore the focus for their studies in ancient Mediterranean history and archaeology.

In addition to their majors, Morrisson is pursuing a museum studies certificate, which added another layer of meaning to their visits to some of Egypt’s most renowned museums, including the Grand Egyptian Museum, the Egyptian Museum and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.

In addition to exploring Egypt’s rich history through guided tours in Cairo — the country’s multicultural capital — the group experienced a wide range of cultural activities. Their itinerary included camel rides near the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx of Giza, a group cooking class, visits to historic churches and temples and even a kayaking trip along the Nile.

Aly said it was a rewarding experience to see the students apply their classroom learning in everyday situations — especially when it came to bargaining in Egyptian dialect at Cairo’s famous Khan el-Khalili market.

“Leading the embedded program to Egypt over spring break was an incredible experience for both the students and myself,” Aly said. “Although it was a one-week trip, the students gained valuable insights into Egyptian culture, history and youth life through daily interactions with native speakers. From exploring historical sites and museums to participating in hands-on activities like cooking classes, kayaking on the Nile and enjoying the Tanoura dance show, they had an immersive experience that deepened their understanding of modern-day Egypt and its vibrant culture.”

For Lauren Fetterhoff, a second-year student from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, majoring in international politics with double minors in Arabic language and security and risk analysis, the cooking class stood out as the most meaningful part of the entire program.

Held in a community kitchen in a small village located about 15 kilometers south of Cairo, the class offered students a hands-on look at local life. While there, the group learned how residents grow crops and care for animals, and they were taught how to prepare mahshi, a traditional Egyptian dish made with stuffed vegetables.

“The locals spoke little to no English, which actually made the experience even more special,” Fetterhoff said. “We relied on body language and gestures to communicate, and even when we didn't know the Arabic words, they still understood us. We built a connection rooted in shared humanity and mutual respect.”

These hands-on activities gave students the chance to apply what they had learned at Penn State in an immersive environment, deepening their understanding of Egyptian history, culture and everyday life. Many students were already familiar with the Egyptian dialect, as the Arabic language minor program in the College of the Liberal Arts emphasizes it for speaking and comprehension, while writing instruction focuses on Modern Standard Arabic.

“Cairo is like the New York City of Egypt, so we saw people from all different cultures, especially in the touristy areas,” said Salma Morales, a fourth-year student majoring in political science with a minor in Arabic language. “It was cool to see the interaction between different cultures in Egypt, as well as how the local people go about their daily lives.”

Even within the student group, there was a wide range of backgrounds, including majors, academic interests, religious beliefs and cultures — adding another layer of richness to the experience.

Financial support played a key role in making the program accessible for many participants. Resources like enrichment funding through the Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network, support from Penn State Global and other financial aid opportunities helped ease the cost of attending.

While navigating funding options can feel overwhelming, students emphasized the importance of exploring every avenue and the reassurance that comes from knowing the College of the Liberal Arts offers strong support.

“I always tell people to look into every possible thing you can apply for,” said Aleeza Shabbir, a third-year student majoring in international politics with a minor in Arabic language. “That includes funding from Penn State’s colleges, Arabic-specific awards and other financial service programs.”

Fetterhoff echoed that sentiment, crediting the college’s resources for helping her make the most of her time at Penn State.

“Coming to the College of the Liberal Arts has really helped ease the stress of paying for college because no one wants that to be their main worry while they're here,” she said. “I’ve been able to take advantage of so many more opportunities thanks to Liberal Arts enrichment funding and academic scholarships.”

A shared message among students in the program was clear: if you’re considering an education abroad experience, go for it. The value of applying classroom knowledge in a real-world setting and gaining new cultural perspectives is something the students said can’t be matched.

“I think studying abroad is such a valuable experience, especially for language classes,” Shabbir said. “It really pushes you to use your skills and immerse yourself in the culture. Outside of my 50-minute Arabic class, I don’t often have the chance to speak the language, so spending a whole week surrounded by it — listening, speaking and engaging —has helped me grow so much.”

Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network

The Career Enrichment Network empowers Liberal Arts students to explore, engage and define their career journey through diverse career development opportunities. Students can meet with a career coach to explore careers, internships, education abroad, research, the Liberal Arts Alumni Mentor Program and more. Through donor support, the Career Enrichment Network provides Liberal Arts students the opportunity to apply for funding to help support participation in many of these experiences.