From the classroom to the streets of Cairo, students studying Arabic at Georgetown University in Qatar immersed themselves in Egypt’s language, culture and society during a visit to AUC last week. The experience combined Arabic-language learning and engagement with AUC faculty alongside opportunities to explore the country’s political, economic, historical and cultural landscape.

The program, coordinated by AUC’s International Programs and Services Office, focused on engaging students with academics at AUC by attending classes, connecting with faculty, participating in on-campus events to experience student life firsthand, and exploring Cairo through tours and excursions around the city.

“It’s a total immersion into Egyptian culture from all sorts of perspectives,” said GU-Q student Jannat Almazbel. “We’re talking about history and academia through AUC, street life — even interactions at cafés and restaurants. We are able to see Egypt – Misr – from all sides,” she said. 

“It’s a packed schedule, but that’s what makes it fun. In the same day, you can experience both the newer and the older: explore the Nile and then go into the desert,” said GU-Q student Dinassyl Smadil. 

For students, experiencing AUC was a significant highlight of their trip. 

“On our first day here, we had a tour around the campus,” said Faris McDowall-Rose, a GU-Q international history student. “I thought it was amazing … to see all this greenery. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a campus this nice.” 

Georgetown-Qatar student Mamie McCreary was fascinated by the blend of Egyptian and American systems present at AUC. “I wanted to see how an American curriculum but with a majority of Arab or Egyptian students worked,” McCreary said.

The students met with President Ahmad Dallal, went on a Nile cruise and toured Saqqara, the Giza Plateau, the Grand Egyptian Museum, and Coptic and Islamic Cairo. They attended several courses by AUC faculty, tailored to their visit, including topics of Egyptian history, journalism and political economy. 

With the conclusion of their visit, the Georgetown-Qatar students reflected on their experiences throughout the week, citing the many exciting opportunities they underwent.

“I found the lecture we had on Egyptian history to be really interesting. Egypt is so much more than just ancient Egypt. It’s Greek and Roman Egypt, Persian Egypt, Islamic Egypt, Coptic Egypt – I found that to be really interesting. Growing up in the British curriculum, Egypt is kind of just shown through the Pharaonic lens. So that breadth of learning was really interesting to me,” said Macdowell-Rose. 

Echoing the same sentiment, Almazbel said, “It’s a beautiful and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I’m incredibly grateful for. I learned a lot about Egypt and the rich history of Egypt. I know that I don’t know enough, and I want to keep learning.” 

AUC hosted From Tomb to Text: Talks on Coptic History, a one-day international conference on Coptic archaeology that brought together leading scholars from Egypt, Europe and the United States to showcase the latest research in Coptic art history, heritage, textiles, settlement archaeology and archaeobotany. The conference was supported by the Gratus Foundation by Mary and Bishoy Azmy, founded by AUC Trustee Bishoy Emad Azmy ’02 and Mary Habib ’05.

“Coptic studies is an essential part of Egypt’s rich history and part of the tapestry that shapes the country’s great civilization,” said AUC President Ahmad Dallal. “Since its founding, AUC has served as an important entry point for people from outside the region to study and research Egypt’s history. In addition to our world-renowned Egyptology program, Coptic studies captures a rich layer of Egyptian cultural heritage. This conference creates the space for both academic and public audiences to preserve and advance the study of Coptic heritage. We are especially grateful to Trustee Bishoy Azmy and Mrs. Mary Habib, and their Gratus Foundation, whose support reflects a shared commitment to preserving and advancing the study of Coptic heritage.”

“Coptic studies is an essential part of Egypt’s rich history and part of the tapestry that shapes the country’s great civilization."

For Habib,the gift reflects a broader commitment to supporting Coptic studies at AUC. “Our vision is for AUC to remain a leading hub for Coptic studies, a place where scholars from around the world can conduct research in the field,” Habib noted. “As Egyptians, we bring a deep insight into this era, its culture and its place within Egypt’s broader timeline. That is why we want AUC to lead this effort, serving as a global center for researchers seeking to explore our rich heritage.”

Organized by AUC’s Department of Sociology, Egyptology and Anthropology on the historic Tahrir Square Campus, the conference included a distinguished lineup of international experts, including AUC Professor Emerita Fayza Haikal and Coptic Studies Chair Mennat-Allah El Dorry '05, alongside international scholars Cäcilia Fluck of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Ina Eichner of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Agnieszka E. Szymańska of the University of Richmond, Robert Mahler of the University of Warsaw, Ahmed Nakshara of Ain Shams University, and Dina Bakhoum of the Institut Français d'Archéologie Orientale. They addressed a wide range of critical topics in Coptic history, including visual culture, textiles, food and language evolution, funerary archaeology, heritage conservation, daily life, and recent archaeological discoveries in Late Antique Egypt. 

“Our vision is for AUC to remain a leading hub for Coptic studies, a place where scholars from around the world can conduct research in the field,”

“Coptic studies is an integral part of the fabric of Egyptian history, and AUC already reflects this through its Coptic studies minor, Coptology master’s track and Core Curriculum courses,” said El Dorry, assistant professor in the Department of Sociology, Egyptology and Anthropology and chair of Coptic Studies at AUC. “This conference brings together local and international experts to explore Coptic research through art history and archaeology, while raising awareness of AUC’s work and opening new opportunities for collaboration and future research.”

Coptic studies at AUC extends well beyond the conference. The University offers a minor in Coptic studies and a Master of Arts in Egyptology and Coptology, with an interdisciplinary curriculum that examines the Coptic period through history, political science, religion, literature and art history. Studying in Egypt also gives students direct access to the monuments, archaeological sites and artifacts that are central to the study of the Coptic period.

“This conference brings together local and international experts to explore Coptic research through art history and archaeology, while raising awareness of AUC’s work and opening new opportunities for collaboration and future research.”

In addition, AUC Libraries, particularly the Rare Books and Special Collections Library, provide essential academic backing for Coptic studies at the University. The library's key Coptic holdings include the Ramses Wissa Wassef digital collection, which highlights Coptic art, and the landmark Iryan Moftah and Ragheb Moftah collections, which document Coptic language, music and liturgical traditions. 

Photo caption: Maurice A. Pomerantz, professor and dean of the School of Humaniites and Social Sciences, and Mennat-Allah El Dorry '05, assistant professor of Egyptology and chair of Coptic studies, with the panelists