Mounted on the exhibit wall, three black and white drawings by student artist Maram Alsayed ’25 display mystical scenes of animals with humanistic characteristics while flame-like patterns swirl in the background. 

In the first scene, a man dressed as a medical doctor donning an Ottoman fez is surrounded by animals, including similarly dressed lambs holding hands and two chickens carrying a cane. The next scene depicts a shisha party with only one human attendee; the rest are animals. In the final drawing, a woman decorated with indigenous elements is holding up a doll, surrounded by chicken and Arabic religious text. 

These drawings were already curious upon first glance, but a closer look revealed a QR code in the corner that brought the audience to a camera view on their phones where, suddenly, the drawings jumped to life. Color filled the characters as zar music started emanating from viewers’ phones. The characters from the scenes were alive, each of them telling a story with their audiovisual transformations. 

Beneath the animated scenes was a book featuring the 12 ‘spirits’ from the scenes, with accompanying text in English and transliterated Arabic explaining the characters’ stories. “Zar has always been practiced, sung and felt but never visually imagined in detail,” said Alsayed. “This project gave me the opportunity to design and visualize 12 spirits based only on their songs, symbolic traits and cultural cues.” She is the first designer to visually imagine the spirits of the zar.

“The project contributes to preserving Egypt’s intangible cultural heritage, ensuring that a spiritual practice tied to healing, identity and cultural memory is not lost with time.” 

Beyond bringing the tradition to life, Alsayed’s was a project in cultural heritage, preserving the Egyptian zar ritual through a visual archive. “Giving these spirits a form is a crucial step in protecting and honoring a belief system that is still recognized in Egyptian culture,” said Alsayed. “The project contributes to preserving Egypt’s intangible cultural heritage, ensuring that a spiritual practice tied to healing, identity and cultural memory is not lost with time.” 

Illustration gave Alsayed the freedom to interpret each spirit’s identity, colors and sacrifices in the ritual, while augmented reality allowed her to incorporate sound and motion interactively. She said, “I studied rituals, lyrics and sacrificial practices, tracing the symbolic framework of the zar through a deep-dive into history and translations.”

Alsayed drew her inspiration from an authentic live zar music performance by the Mazaher Band. When speaking with performers, Alsayed was struck by one of their comments: Many of the traditional Egyptian songs have lost their meaning. “That moment became the seed of this project. Behind every chant or lyric was likely a story, a spirit and a history waiting to be uncovered,” she said.

The AUCian traced the origins of these songs and reimagined their lost narratives, structuring her project around the themes of the possessed, the summoned and the sacrificed — “the narrative framework of the zar ritual’s journey,” she said. “The zar has existed for generations but is often overlooked, misunderstood or undocumented.”

Designed by student artist Rola Wael ’25, The Litter Mystery is a children’s book featuring a dialogue between two Egyptian children, Mido and Toti, about the final destination of litter, which Mido believes magically disappears every day. The story’s protagonist is an enthusiastic trash can named Binbin who doubles as a guide and mentor throughout the story, teaching children the true harms of littering by explaining where it ends up.

The idea began with Wael’s interest in using design for social good. She wanted to address an issue relevant to Egypt and make a real difference. 

“I noticed how common littering is and how rarely it’s addressed in early childhood education. That sparked the idea to tackle this issue through storytelling, something children naturally connect with,” said Wael. She chose to target children between 3 and 4 years old, the age where habits begin to form.

When choosing a format for her art, Wael found that storytelling offered structure and emotional connection, while interactive elements encouraged participation and critical thinking. “That’s how The Litter Mystery was born: a playful, mystery-based story that follows kids as they solve where all the trash is coming from with the help of a friendly trash bin character, Binbin.”

“Ultimately, it’s about building a more conscious future generation, starting with small actions.”

Wael experimented with different forms of media, including interactive elements in the book along with a QR link to a short animation showing where litter ends up after it’s been thrown away. “Kids at this age learn best through touch and play, so I incorporated flaps, spinning wheels and page-turn surprises.”

The book was designed to make environmental education accessible to very young children in Egypt by incorporating familiar local settings like schools and neighborhoods. “The story organically introduces sustainable practices without sounding like a lecture,” said Wael.

The AUCian hopes that her book also sparks conversations at home and school, extending the impact to parents and teachers. “Ultimately, it’s about building a more conscious future generation, starting with small actions,” she said.

Wael is currently in talks with bookstores that are interested in publishing The Litter Mystery. “The goal is to get it into schools, bookstores and homes across Egypt,” she said.

Maha Muehlhaeusler: Women and Islamic Arts

From attending international conferences related to social issues such as female genital mutilation to helping in workshops that create business opportunities for families from Luxor, Maha Muehlhaeusler said of her internship at the National Council for Women (NCW) “My role was to try all roles.” 

Muehlhaeusler is a graduating senior double majoring in history and English and comparative literature. Her most notable internships were for the NCW and the Museum of Islamic Arts in Cairo.

“At NCW, I had the honor of working alongside Dr. Maya Morsi’s right-hand team,” shared Muehlhaeusler, who created social media content and raised awareness about laws that protect women in the complaints department.

“Watching women’s faces light up after seeing their crafts displayed in the Grand Egyptian Museum made me aware of what personal success means to individuals.”

At the Museum of Islamic Arts, Muehlhaeusler learned how museums function: “There’s a lot more to it than being a tour guide.” Muehlhaeusler was trained in administrative divisions, marketing, exhibition set-up and organizing workshops for children, women and schools. She was tasked with translating English to Arabic and vice versa, both for giving tours to foreigners and translating artifact labels.

The two internships, Muehlhaeusler said, were life-changing. “Watching women’s faces light up after seeing their crafts displayed in the Grand Egyptian Museum as part of the NCW program made me aware of what personal success means to individuals,” she said. Through her work at the Museum of Islamic Arts, she gained an appreciation for the organization and consideration that goes into every exhibit, allowing visitors to have enriching experiences.

Muehlhaeusler attributes much of her success to her AUC education. “Museums are not just spaces that hold old objects; they tell narratives. In my history courses, we learn how to analyze historical narrative to construct arguments,” she said. “Not only did my major support my internship in this way, but the internship supported my major — I discovered how much I love public history!”

Her creative writing style, which permeates her content creation for social media, comes from her second major in English and comparative literature. “History and comparative literature are both majors that encourage human connection, and that is the purpose of the human experience: to connect rather than differentiate.”

In three words, Muehlhaeusler summarized her experiences as “fulfilling, challenging and full of love.”

Assem AlGhayesh: Cooperation with Asian States

Assem AlGhayesh, also a graduating senior, is majoring in political science with a specialization in international relations. Since Summer 2023, AlGhayesh has been an intern at the Ministry of International Cooperation in the Department of China, Korea, Japan and the New Development Bank. 

AlGhayesh has participated in many high-policy dialogues as part of this role, including the Economic Development Cooperation Forum, where he documented key discussions for senior officials, including Minister. Rania Al-Mashaat and Deputy Foreign Minister Abou Bakr Hefny. He also advised on compliance, “ensuring that major projects like the Monorail and Abou Qir railway adhered to international standards” and proactively identifying and suggesting solutions for potential challenges in partnerships. 

“I learned that doing the right thing sometimes means reaching out to hold another’s hand, empowering them to believe they can do the same.”

Just recently, AlGhayesh participated in the Egypt-Japan High-Policy Dialogue, where the Japanese ambassador to Egypt and important stakeholder organizations were in attendance. AlGhayesh also participated in the Network of Nexus of Water, Food and Energy: A Year of Implementation conference in the New Administrative Capital. With Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and 24 ambassadors in attendance, the event highlighted the National Water and Food Security Initiative’s achievements over the past year. 

“My journey would not have been possible without the support I got from AUC, which offered me the tools for being a successful intern: the right mentorship, networking opportunities to connect with leaders in my field, and a welcoming, inspirational atmosphere that motivated me to pursue this journey for both my country and for myself,” he said.

Likewise, the internship complemented his studies at AUC, together motivating AlGhayesh to be a changemaker, helping those around him. “We all face the choice between what is right and what is easy,” he said. “I learned that doing the right thing sometimes means not only putting one foot forward but also reaching out to hold another’s hand, empowering them to believe they can do the same.”

In December, AlGhayesh participated in a training program organized under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representing AUC among a selective and diverse group of participants.

Marcia Ponzlet

Marcia Ponzlet is from Leverkusen, Germany and completed her undergraduate degree in political science and sociology, with a minor in public law. She joined CMEPS to learn about the Middle East while fully emerging herself into Egyptian culture and language. 

“In my first semester as an undergrad, I took a class on feminist movements in the MENA region, and I really enjoyed it. I ended up taking a class about the Middle East every semester and quickly found my passion for all issues related to the region,” said Ponzlet. Next semester, she will split her time between Cairo and Tübingen while continuing to study Arabic and writing her thesis: “I would like to write my thesis on the effect of semi-autonomous governance on access to gender and reproductive healthcare,” she said.

Ponzlet particularly enjoyed her time at AUC, where she was surrounded by “kind and smart students and professors.” Between the pool and the running track, Ponzlet made the most of the sports facilities. She also enjoyed the quiet spots on campus where she could study. 

“I can recommend the CMEPS program to any student passionate about Middle Eastern politics,” said Ponzlet, who hopes to stay in academia and complete a PhD, eventually working with a research institute or NGO focused on issues of state, security and gender.

Frederik Klär

Frederik Klär has a bachelor’s degree in social sciences from the University of Cologne, located in his German hometown. Klär chose to join CMEPS because it was the “best in Germany” for Middle East politics due to the intensive language component and immersive semester at AUC.

Though Cairo is a long jump from Germany in its culture, “the city is everything I had expected and more. It’s an absolutely amazing experience. Outside of the University, there are so many interesting sites to visit, from the Siwa Oasis and Fayoum to Alexandria — I’m seeing pretty much everything the country has to offer.” Climbing Mount Musa in Sinai was Klär’s favorite memory in Egypt due to the mountain’s beautiful nature and sunrise.

For his final semester, Klär will complete an internship in Jordan at a German think tank, after which he will work on his thesis tackling religious nationalism with relation to conflict.

Klär was pleased by the course offerings and community at AUC. To prospective students, Klär says, “Check out the CMEPS website and social media, reach out to the people in the program, inform yourself, and just give it a try — it’s an amazing program.”

Cornelius Klodt

Cornelius Klodt is from Frankfurt, Germany, where he completed his bachelor’s in economics and political science. Klodt chose the CMEPS program because it has everything he was looking for in a master’s program.

“Courses at AUC are very high quality, and the University offers wonderful practice-oriented courses in which we discuss policy solutions and write policy briefs,” said Klodt. “I would definitely advise prospective students to enjoy the multiplicity of courses offered.” 

As a political science student, Klodt highlighted the study-abroad benefit of understanding other perspectives. “Egyptians and Arabs in general have very different opinions on problems in the region and even on the role of the United States and Europe in the region,” said Klodt, who has learned a lot from his peers. 

“Another great thing about CMEPS is that people take care of you; the faculty really care about their students and want us to have a great experience,” he said, “This is what makes or breaks CMEPS. The small cohort size really facilitates that too.”

In Cairo, Klodt enjoyed the culture more than anything. “My favorite memory might have been my visit to the Citadel, looking at the city and entering the beautiful mosques,” he said, additionally praising the food, people and historical sites. 

In his final semester, Klodt will write his thesis and hopes to become politically active in his home country again. His thesis will probably cover the gamification (motivating through video games) of Islamist extremism and right-wing extremism in social movements.

Isaac Lanan

Isaac Lanan hails from the United States, where he has a bachelor’s in linguistics and Arabic language and literature from the University of Minnesota. 

During and after his undergraduate studies, Lanan worked in political and community organizing in Minneapolis. When he heard about CMEPS, he immediately recognized it as an opportunity to bring together his Arabic studies and political experience. “I knew a semester in Cairo would be an impossible-to-overstate opportunity to improve my Arabic,” he said.

For Lanan, “Campus life is fun, students are friendly and professors are extremely knowledgeable. I love AUC!” To students considering the program, he advises to embrace the international aspect: “It is a huge learning opportunity.”

Like the rest of his cohort, Lanan also fell in love with Cairo. “I love big, energetic cities, and this is one of the greatest in the world. I have been impressed by Cairo’s vibrant local arts scene. The food here is incredible, and the coffee is even better,” he said.

Next semester, Lanan will write his thesis on the state response to extraterritorial dam construction on transnational waterways in a comparative study of the Egyptian response to Ethiopian construction and the Iraqi response to a Turkish project. “Outside of my studies, I want to complete an internship and visit my grandma in Argentina,” he added.

After graduating, Lanan hopes to work at a think tank, consultancy or international organization doing humanitarian or development work. He also dreams of returning to Egypt soon.

Angelos Chatzigiannis

Born and raised in Greece, Angelos Chatzigiannis completed a political science degree at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. According to Chatzigiannis, the CMEPS program stood out as the “perfect choice for my academic aspirations” due to the opportunity to specialize in Middle Eastern politics — a goal he had set during his third year of undergraduate studies.

“AUC offers a unique environment that combines academic excellence with diverse extracurricular opportunities, such as the sports facilities, which allow me to practice my basketball hobby,” said Chatzigianni. 

“Academically, the courses at AUC equip students with analytical tools to formulate complex arguments and understand the nuanced dynamics of the region,” he added.

Beyond the University campus, Chatzigiannis enjoyed Cairo’s “vibrant energy and bustling streets,” which he said “make it a must-visit for anyone interested in Middle Eastern studies.” Chatzigiannis uncovered hidden literary treasures at the city’s small vendor bookstores and made memorable trips to Alexandria as well as the Black and White Desert outside of Cairo.

Next semester, Chatzigiannis will return to Germany to work on his master’s thesis, which will focus on a comparative analysis of elite strategies in Lebanon and Iraq. “I hope to continue conducting research in the region after completing my master’s degree. I am excited for what lies ahead!”

Benedikt Holzschuh

Originally from Germany, Benedikt Holzschuh completed his bachelor’s in Islamic studies and political science at University of Bamberg. Holzschuh joined CMEPS because the program “struck the perfect balance between political science, the MENA region and Arabic-language education.” 

Like his peers, Holzschuh was particularly attracted by the experience abroad. He enjoyed the facilities at AUC, running and swimming at the sports center, and took some of his best seminars at the University.

“Cairo is often crazy and tumultuous, but I love that,” said Holzschuh, who toured cultural sites and hung out with his friends in Maadi or downtown in his free time. He particularly enjoyed visiting Saqqara and the various museums in Cairo; “Of course, the pyramids are a highlight.”

Next semester, Holzschuh will complete one final paper in Tübingen and write his thesis. “For my topic, I will focus on the causes of de-radicalization of Islamist militias in the Middle East,” he said.
 

Finn Seiffert

Finn Seiffert is from Bavaria, Germany. He studied world politics at Leiden University College in the Hague and graduated with a master’s in international relations before joining CMEPS.

Due to his Iranian heritage and previous coursework in Middle East politics, Seiffert developed an interest in the region. “I made the wrong choice with my first MA by not studying the Middle East,” he said. AUC’s joint program gave Seiffert the opportunity to reclaim this path. 

“CMEPS provided me with all the things I thought were missing from my studies so far: Arabic language education, an exchange semester in the Middle East and a compulsory internship. CMEPS offers all these experiences you can usually only find in a bachelor’s program, so it is perfect for people who realize a bit late what they want to do,” said Seiffert.

Seiffert loved exploring Cairo’s historical sites, eating at local koshary places and practicing kickboxing on campus through the AUC classes. “The people there are very welcoming and inclusive, so it was not difficult at all to participate,” he said.

Seiffert’s favorite Egypt memory is from a weekend trip to Luxor, where his driver ended up being extremely hospitable and fun. “Without his energy, our trip would not have been nearly as memorable,” Seiffert said, “Egyptians are really hospitable people, that’s what I will always remember about them.”

Next semester, Seiffert will write his thesis on pro-government militias and why they are created or used.

ENGL 0211 English for the Liberal Arts (SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities)

AUC Professor:
Yasmine Salah El-Din
AUC’s Department of English Language Instruction

Connected with: 
Dawn Chisebe, Ohio Wesleyan University

In this five-week collaboration, students analyzed the concepts of leadership, (in)equalities and human rights through an intersectional framework of race, gender and class. They developed a campaign raising people’s awareness of a social movement in countries other than Egypt and the United States.

"The students demonstrated remarkable adaptability, learning from each other and finding innovative ways to work collectively.”

“Leadership in the Era of Black Lives Matter, the course I teach at Ohio Wesleyan University, is an upper-level, writing-intensive class,” said Chisebe. “This partnership has really encouraged our students to engage with one another’s perspectives and collaborate on group projects despite challenges like differing time zones. The students demonstrated remarkable adaptability, learning from each other and finding innovative ways to work collectively.”

For construction engineering freshman Emmy Nasr, the course was an eye-opener. “The program was a great opportunity to work with foreign students, and it helped me discover what teamwork is like between people with different backgrounds. I enjoyed how it allowed me to see [the way] others view Egypt and gave me the chance to clear some misconceptions about our culture.” 

"I enjoyed how it allowed me to see [the way] others view Egypt and gave me the chance to clear some misconceptions about our culture.” 

Her classmate, freshman Hana El Sherbiny, saw the course as "a path that linked diverse minds, cultures and ideas, fostering collaboration and mutual learning. The English liberal arts course opened my mind to diverse perspectives, enabling me to tackle different critical issues and stigmas through the 17 Sustainable Development Goals we addressed.”

CORE 1099 Entrepreneurship and Critical Global Issues

Taught by:
Nellie El Enany
AUC’s Heikal Department of Management 

Connected with:
Emmanuel Skoulas, The American College of Greece

Students and their peers examined the role of international NGOs, the issues they are tackling and the challenges they face. The connection provided an opportunity for students to explore the way NGOs operate as well as their functions and efforts to communicate important issues to the public sphere, thus legitimizing their cause.

“The experience with AUC has been a great one, and students were very enthusiastic about the connection and interaction with students [in Egypt]."

“The global course connections initiative reinforces its commitment to liberal arts education, bringing together faculty from across the world to forge new ideas, inspire one another to develop innovative [initiatives] and foster internationalization in teaching and learning,” said El Enany. 

Her Greek counterpart Skoulas said, “The experience with AUC has been a great one, and students were very enthusiastic about the connection and interaction with students [in Egypt]. The teams of students from ACG and AUC have been working together toward a common assignment of finding an international NGO and identifying its mission, vision, key values and matching them with the sustainability goals set by the United Nations.”

AUC student Khadija Baheieldin noted, “Although we faced challenges in communication with the students in Greece at the start, we had developed a deeper understanding of each other and each other’s cultures by the end of the course.”

LING 2220 Language and Society 

Taught by:
Ayah Amin
AUC’s Department of Rhetoric and Composition

Connected with:
María Ordoñez Alvarez, Universidad San Francisco de Quito

This course focused on the overlap between scientific language study and sociolinguistics. The goal was to orient students with inequalities related to language in local and global contexts. Students were exposed to a linguistically diverse classroom with classmates from Ecuador who speak an indigenous language, complementing many of the sociolinguistics topics that were covered in the class.

“Our GCC class experiment with the Ecuadorian students was all about connecting and sharing stories, ideas and cultures in a way that felt authentic and meaningful. It wasn’t just learning but an eye-opener to a whole different world.”

“The workshop in Bulgaria was the epitome of embracing diversity and intercultural dialogue,” said Amin.

Her counterpart Ordoñez said, “The experience has been very rewarding. Students in Ecuador had the unique opportunity to connect with Egyptian students, talk through their different lives and methods of approach to their studies and collaborate together on class-oriented activities.”

AUC economics junior Sandy Moaaz Mohamed commended the experience as a whole. “Our GCC class experiment with the Ecuadorian students was all about connecting and sharing stories, ideas and cultures in a way that felt authentic and meaningful. It wasn’t just learning but an eye-opener to a whole different world.”

“WUF12 was an excellent opportunity to showcase and share AUC’s innovation as well as its regional and global leadership in questions of urbanity and cities." 

Goubran led the AUC-hosted Voices from the City session with collaborators from England, Northern Ireland, Mexico and the United States. The event fused the lessons learned from AUC’s Zero-Carbon Future Heritage project with the work of community practitioners utilizing participatory processes for shaping public space, a practice known as placemaking, in the United States, Mexico and globally. 

“We were able to highlight the successful future-thinking methodology of our zero-carbon transnational project, which we worked on with Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Salford, and which was showcased at the Venice Biennale,” Goubran said. 

For Sara Amin, an architecture senior, the session was a springboard for her graduation project. “This was an incredibly inspiring experience that directly resonated with my dissertation on rethinking Egypt’s street environments to better serve community needs and foster sustainability,” she said. “The forum as a whole demonstrated how academic work, like my own, can translate into practical, impactful solutions on a global scale. It was a fantastic opportunity to witness firsthand how critical design thinking can shape urban spaces to meet the needs of future generations.”

Tamer El Gabaly ’21, a multidisciplinary designer and teaching assistant at AUC, also reflected on how “fascinating” the panel was. “The event was incredibly beneficial, as it provided an opportunity to share our work, engage in meaningful  discussions with global experts and reinforce the University’s role in shaping sustainable and inclusive urban futures.”

For El Gabaly, one of his key takeaways is that community participation should go beyond the consultation phase. “The community should be able to have bigger decision-making power when it comes to shaping its built environment,” he affirmed. “This way, cities can grow in ways that truly reflect what the community needs and values.”

Students also showcased their work at the forum. Yara Yousry, an architecture graduating senior and co-founder of the award-winning Bahtinet Project, presented her work in a number of panels. “I was honored to participate [in the event, which] provided an excellent platform for me as a student to discuss how AUC’s education has helped me make a meaningful, real-world impact,” Yousry said. “I shared how the foundation provided by AUC has allowed me to extend SDG concepts beyond campus projects and into global, on-the-ground action, particularly in collaboration with international organizations.”

“The event was incredibly beneficial, as it provided an opportunity to share our work, engage in meaningful  discussions with global experts and reinforce the University’s role in shaping sustainable and inclusive urban futures.”

Architecture senior Amina Khairy found the experience to be “transformative.” “I listened to inspiring presentations from leading voices in the field and contributed to a thought-provoking roundtable discussion with professionals and students from diverse backgrounds, all united in exploring how design can reshape urban spaces to foster community and resilience,” she said. “Discussing placemaking, in particular, resonated deeply with me as it highlighted how intentional design can bridge gaps and address shared urban challenges.”

Kanzy Nabil ’24, an architecture alumna who took part in several panels and the Habitat UNI Booth, shared similar sentiments: “[Through our work at AUC], we are contributing to the development and implementation of effective urban policies and strategies that promote sustainable development.”

Multidisciplinary Engagement 

Beyond architecture, the forum featured faculty and students from other disciplines, including business and graphic design.  

Ahmed Elsayed, associate professor in the School of Business and executive director of the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab Middle East and North Africa housed at AUC, discussed innovative development models. “Urban settings are complex in nature, and understanding what works best is pivotal to addressing the multidimensional challenges of cities, where issues like poverty and social services are interconnected and require precise data-driven solutions,” said Elsayed. “This is what we specialize in at J-PAL.” 

Bahia Shehab (MA ’09), professor of practice in graphic design, presented a talk at the panel titled, A Space for All, which examined the role of digital and physical public spaces as hubs for cultural expression, highlighting how art and culture can foster community connections.

Highlighting AUC student and alumni participation in the World Urban Forum, Goubran noted, "I was incredibly proud to see our students and alumni take the stage at WUF, the world's largest event of its kind. They are truly well-equipped to make a meaningful impact."