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STAY CONNECTED FOR THE LATEST UPDATES facebook.com/InsiderAUC insidermasr.com/auc SHERIEN SHATTA: AUC STUDENT, PHOTOGRAPHER, AND ENTREPRENEUR AT 18 THURSDAY, 14 DECEMBER 2017 The Independent American University in Cairo Student Newspaper - Founded by Shaheer Shaheen ISSUE NO 11 Q. How will you create and implement a digital transformation at AUC? Transformation is the key word. Transformation is leveraging and we called it a digital transformation because we leverage in technology. We are using technological advancements to redefine the AUC experience from all aspects, such as providing services to all stakeholders. The stakeholders are students, faculty, administration and visitors that are coming from outside. Another major aspect is providing a new type of engagement in education inside and outside of the classroom, be it online or blended. It’s a total change of experience. Q. How do you think stakeholders will react to such a transformation? I think because the students use these digitals tools as a second nature, they’ll enjoy very much the new upgraded experience. They’ll find it extremely seamless and totally integrated in the consumer services that they use day in and day out. Q. How do you plan on achieving the transformation to a digital education? We have three pillars. The first pillar is called: The Paperless. We want to go paperless in all aspects. Very soon, we are launching an ‘AUC coin’ so you can pay with your ID and eventually upgrade it to be a wallet. Whatever we can do to get rid of paper and make all the engagement seamless, we will do that. The second pillar is: Open Data. There’s a lot of discussion on campus. Sometimes, we disagree on how things are defined and we disagree on how we look at the data. We invested heavily into building repositories of business intelligence and a lot of data. We are thinking of how we can avail that to all the bodies of students, of faculty and of administration. This is so that they can do their job and engage in a better way. The third pillar is beyond the campus which is: Online and Blended Education. There are tons of things happening on campus. It needs to invite engagement from outside of the campus and it needs to invite engagement whenever you can sit and enjoy these events or maybe review the knowledge that was captured in this event. All of these initiatives happen in bits and pieces. We need to consolidate them to create the impact and leverage all the knowledge that exists in the campus to move beyond the campus. PHOTOS COURTESY OF HANAN ABDEL MEGUID “ ” Transformation is leveraging and we call it a digital transformation because we leverage in technology. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 SALMA SHERIF » p4 » p9-10 Vice President for Digital Innovation Hanan Abdel Meguid: “We are launching an ‘AUC coin’ so you can pay with your ID and eventually upgrade it to be a wallet” The Insider Student 2 EDITORIAL Newspaper 14.12.17 The pencil lied on the ceramic floor. It was broken in half with an eraser that was seemingly bitten off. Its edges and sides were all punctured; whether by a high school geometry set or simply by a metal ruler. The pencil stared at me. It tried to tell me a story about how it once had a burning passion to write. That desire had been destroyed. At first glance, one may think that the broken pencil was run over by a truck. This was not the story. Instead, it had been run over by people. It had been pushed so far in thought, that it could no longer think. Writing was once its only outlet to breath, but it had evolved into its killer. The desire to write was one thing. The requirement to please readers was another. Perhaps, the audience that once applauded the pencil’s opinion, led to its destruction. Too much applause can backfire too. “Applause means you did well,” said the pencil. “Too much applause means expectations,” he said. One ‘error’ in what you say is not forgivable. The pencil’s chewed off eraser stayed silent. What was said verbally was relatively fixable, but once anything was written, it could not be taken back. Erasing it was an option that had limits. The eraser’s diplomacy and ability to withstand criticism had a lifespan too. With every comment, it got smaller and weaker, until it was no more. There was no room for fixing what people saw as a mistake. There was one part of the broken pencil that shone. The tip of the pencil; the piece of lead that created words, sparkled on the floor giving off a contrast between the white tiles and grey edges of its own body. “I can come back when I want to. I can live inside another,” said the lead. The power was not in the pencil itself, but in its ability to write words that could change worlds. If the body was dead, its ideology was immortal. Previous words touched others and inspired them to write too. The story of a pencil doesn’t die with the pencil. You can sharpen it and give it a new eraser. You can simply scribble over the words that aren’t satisfying. If all else fails, “live inside another,” repeated the lead. There is no reason to sit by a broken pencil in tears when you can pick up another. Having written this in my RHET: 3150 Poetry Writing class with Dr. Melanie Carter at the very beginning of the semester, I never believed there was a limit to writing and creative thought until finding myself drained. When every assignment and task is just to write in all kind of forms. Creative takes have their limits sometimes. Dania Akkawi From One Pencil to Another Editor-in-Chief TEAM President and Editor-in-Chief: DANIA AKKAWI Vice President and OC Head: MOHAMED ZAKARIA Journalism Committee: FARAH EL-REFAI (MANAGING EDITOR), SHAZA KHALED (JOURNALISM ENGLISH HEAD), MAHY SHOUKRY (JOURNALISM ENGLISH HEAD), MARIAM EL-PRINCE (JOURNALISM ARABIC HEAD), EMAN KHAROSHAH, NOUR ANWAR, FAYROUZ ELSEROGY, MAYSOON ELHUSSEINY,SONDOS OSAMA, MOHAMED BADRAN, FARAH ABDELGHANI, YASMINA YASSER,SAHAR A. FARID, SEIF NAZIR, SALMA SHERIF, AHMED AYMAN, YASMIN RAAFAT, YOMNA MOHAMED, OLA KASSEM, SALMA AFIFI, NADA MEDHAT, MALAK USAMA, MIRNA ALAA, HAYA ZYATY, ZIAD ABDEEN, HANNIA KHATTAB, HABIBA KHALED, MENNA MOHAMMED, MIRAL OMAR, MARAM ZEITOUN, SUZANNA HANAFY, AND LAILA ELBEHERI Multimedia Committee: BEDOUR HAFEZ (HEAD), ABDELSALAM EL TAMAWY (CONTENT MANAGER), ABDULLA SHAKER, AHMED ELSAYED, ALAA MAHMOUD, DAREEN HUSSEIN, FARAH EMAD, FARAH MAHGOUB, HANA MOAMEN, KARIM OMRAN, LEILAH EL HANBALY, MOHAMED HASSAN, MONICA BOSHRA, NOURAN FATHY, RAWAN MOHAMED, SALMA NOMEIR, SOHAILA ANAS, YOUMNA RASHAD, ZIAD ABDEEN Marketing Head: LAILA ELBEHERI Graphic Design Head: JOMANA ABOU EL ELLA HR Director: LEENA ROWAN Logistics Head: MAHMOUD YASSER Financial Coordinator: SARA ASHOUR The Insider neither endorses nor is responsible for the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, piece of advice, or statement made in the Opinion pages. The ideas expressed are solely the opinions of their respective author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of The Insider newspaper or AUC administration. THIS PUBLICATION WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE IF IT WASN’T FOR... BEDOUR HAFEZ JOMANA ABOU EL ELLA SHAHEER SHAHEEN MOHAMED ALAA AHMED KHALIFA MOHAMED YASSER DANIA AKKAWI MOHAMED ZAKARIA FARAH EL-REFAI SHAZA KHALED MAHY SHOUKRY MARIAM EL-PRINCE LAILA ELBEHERI MICHAEL GIBSON The Insider Student Newspaper 14.12.17 INTERVIEW 3 Q. How long would it take for the actual succession and implementation of these goals? It’s a journey. There is no ultimate success, but it’s an ultimate change in philosophy, how we approach new projects, and how we approach new types of engagement. It will take time for the community to feel the total impact of a transformation. Often we can be met with resistance, but if you want to do things differently, there will always be resistance. There is also the infrastructure that needs to be addressed so that we can witness this revolution and the effect of going digital. I have to say that AUC is already at a totally different place compared to other universities. It’s already more advanced than any of its peers. We are just transforming to make it even more leveraging and more redefining for the digital innovation that exists. Q. If such implementation succeeds in AUC, what’s the next goal? Will you expand such transformation in other universities, including public universities? I am very indifferent about this matter. Let me tell you something: one of my core motivators as Hanan in my position is that I totally foresee that if we implement all these initiatives and all these transformations in AUC, the market will follow and people will learn a lot. Even when students get used to such digital experiences on the campus and in their daily life, they will demand it and whenever they are engaged in a new kind of business or they establish their own businesses, it will have a ripple effect on the business community and communities in Egypt. We are fixing a lot of the core things and taking baby steps towards this digital transformation. In every aspect, we are engaging with the students to make it happen and to learn because it’s a learning experience. Nobody can really do such transformations without all the stakeholders. Hence, we are engaging with the students in order to plan the marketing and in order to study what works and what does not work. At any point of time, if there is any feedback, any kind of engagement or any student that would like to be part of this transformation process, we are very open to that. Q. How would you approach stakeholders with ‘baby steps?’ We have several advantages from my standpoint. We are approaching them through the Student Union, through all leaderships, groups of marketing teams that exist or through any active community member that becomes part of the conversation by default. Amongst the very exciting projects is that we will create the “Holistic Student Application”. This is so that we can engage in a direct manner with all kinds of services. I believe that this will increase the engagement of students. In this day and age, I’m sure that engaging in real time chats and conversation will make it much easier for students to engage and much better than emails for the sake of accessibility. We will have all these venues to communicate. Definitely anything that we launch, we launch with the students’ support. Q. Do you think that the “Holistic Student Application” could potentially annoy whomever the students communicated with? Could it break barriers to the extreme if they are always engaging and active? It’s getting the university and all the experiences closer than the regular experience that students have with all the platforms that they use. It’s not extreme. Instead it’s making it closer, normal and more engaged with the millennium and the generation that we are serving. Especially that AUC is always ahead of the curve because they are exposed to and use the latest technology. Definitely they deserve to claim and consume the experience of AUC in all aspects, whether it’s the learning or the student’s life in a digital format. It will take time for the community to feel the total impact of a transformation. Often we can be met with resistance, but if you want to do things differently, there will always be resistance. “ ” AUC is always ahead of the curve because they are exposed to and use the latest technology. “ ” PHOTO BY ALAA MAHMOUD The Insider Student 4 APP Newspaper 14.12.17 Insider App Launch insidermasr.com/app Ever wondered why you always seem to get stuck with the worst professors in the worst courses? You spent hours planning how your registration night with banner would go, only to end up registering one course with a professor you do not even like. Not to mention that this was not even on the list of courses you intended to enroll in. Oh and brace yourself, it’s an 8:30 class too. Registration always does seem like a nightmare. Most students stay awake until midnight high on red bull or coffee with a bunch of potential class schedules and CRN numbers scattered everywhere. God knows whether 21334 is your priority calculus class or the philosophical thinking course you’ve been avoiding for the past three semesters. Well, The Insider’s App got you covered for the incoming semester and for the rest of the red bull-infused college experience. This app is a community-based platform for students to socialize through student-initiated debatable and controversial discussions and follow up with campus news. Since you have the option of being anonymous, feel free to hide behind the unknown nickname your mom uses or even an emoji that represents you. Be free. Rant all you want. Gawasees el professor can’t find you here! There is an entire rating professors section on the app dedicated solely for trying to ensure you register for the right courses, with the right professors, for the right reasons. Hopefully, this might save the GPA that got hit by bus and never seemed to recover. All you have to do is download the app, be it on your iPhone or Samsung, make an account and start searching for the names of your professors. Their ratings will instantly pop up! You can also participate in rating professors you personally took courses with. It’s a given duty to warn those who come after you that certain courses are workload-infused and borderline abusive. (Yes, I am talking to the SSE students crying in a corner over their midterm grades). Instead of crying, download the app and rant. Just vent out all your feelings in an anonymous post about how the department screwed you over and how you were unfairly graded. The next step is to rate that professor so future students do not end up in the same state that you are currently in. But don’t forget to start gathering names to petition against that professor because odds are, you are not the only one who is crying under a blanket thinking that you will never make it to graduate school. We wish you a happy registration and hope you end up in bearable classes! DANIA AKKAWI The Insider Student Newspaper 14.12.17 INTERVIEW 5 According to the Animal Rights Association, AUC’s administration is planning on banning cats from campus, which would deprive animal enthusiasts of essential daily cat-petting- and-feeding-sessions. Anxious to learn more about how and why this ban could happen, The Insider AUC spoke to Salma Seyam, head of the ‘Cats on Campus project’ in the ARA right here at our very own campus. Seyam explained that the ‘Cats on Campus project’ was one of four carried out by the ARA, “aiming to establish a healthy, sustainable and safe environment for both the cats and the student body by making sure that the basic needs of each cat are met. These include vaccinations, being fed daily, and weekly checkups on their health.” Seyam adds that, “we immediately react to all reasonable concerns of both the student body and staff, and have drafted a policy to manage, regulate and control the population of campus cats, their health and safety through veterinary care, feeding, neutering, fostering and adoption.” One thing that was surprising to hear was that AUC’S New Cairo campus isn’t the first to have taken in these cats, as the Tahrir campus did too. The question is: why kick them out after all these years? Seyam replied “it has been an ongoing discussion that stemmed from various complaints that the university has received concerning both security and health. The previous workers used to feed these cats and had a special bond with them. However, the new staff have not been given the task of putting out food for the cats. The university stopped feeding the cats in hopes that they would leave campus. However, this isn’t in the nature of these cats anymore, as they’ve become entirely dependent on humans.” It’s evident that this influx of change and predicament has increased problems, resulting in even more issues than what the campus was initially dealing with. When asked if there would be further severe consequences and implications that both cats and the students would face because of the potential ban, Seyam shared heartbreaking realities. “The amount of kittens we have been finding on campus has increased greatly and two of them have already died. We have been noticing an increase in injuries in cats due to them fighting over food and territory. It is normal that during the summer, the cat population on campus shifts and new cats enter and make AUC their home. When this happens, these cats should be vaccinated immediately. However, since they are not being vaccinated anymore, this not only harms other cats on campus but also harms students who gets bitten by unvaccinated cats.” Realizing that the issue has evolved and is concerned with a larger audience and the safety of students, the ARA set a plan to tackle this problem. Seyam suggested, “a strict policy that puts health and safety as a priority,” as the club’s starting point. Among the many positive things ARA has done to help the situation is that “we have taken all the kittens instantly to the vet and put them all up for adoption. We have managed to find homes for most of these kittens. We have also reached out to other campuses such as The American University in Beirut (who have a website for cats on campus and an established policy for their 300+ cats) and Cairo American College, who have food stations and constant care for their cats.” Seyam further explains that through this, the ARA has drafted a policy consisting of guidelines regarding the interaction between the students on campus and the cats (in terms of not feeding them near the food court, recognizing vaccinated cats from those who aren’t, etc). ARA is trying to come up with solutions to reduce, mitigate or even eliminate the severe consequences this could have on the cute fur balls. It’s possible for each and every student to make a difference. Seyam explained how the AUC community can help and that is by reporting any case of an injured cat so that the Cats on Campus committee can provide immediate care. “Another way they can help us is through finding forever homes for the kittens and by fostering any injured cat until they are healthy enough to be released back on campus. Cats also stay in places where they are provided with food so students can simply always make sure to close food court doors behind them and feed them away from the food court.” Of course, it gets a little frustrating sometimes when a cat hops onto the table while we’re enjoying some food but deep down, we secretly love them. Isn’t it crazy that some of us can tell them apart too? From the ones that hang by Catering to the ones by the bus gate. It tells you a great deal about the relationship and bond we’ve quickly created with them. Our full AUC experience cannot be complete without these cats that have always been there in the background. So, let’s put the effort in keeping them here. Keeping Up With The Cats On Campus: YOMNA MARZOUK “The previous workers used to feed these cats and had a special bond with them. However, the new staff have not been given the task of putting out food for the cats,” said Salma Seyam, Head of ARA’s Cats on Campus project.” PHOTO COURTESY OF SALMA SEYAM PHOTO BY ABDELSALAM TAMAWY The Insider Student 6 INTERVIEW Newspaper 14.12.17 As students, our GPA is our main priority, followed by the quality of our education. These two things are largely dependent on who teaches us. A good professor and a hard course can mean a respectable grade, and vice versa. Most of our pre-registration time involves frantically posting on Rate AUC Professors trying to find out if we should take the risk with a new professor because it has the time slot you want, or if we should beg the department the next day to let you into the section in the negatives. Despite the reputation of new professors being too risky, many of them end up being some of the best professors you will ever have. This semester, a new professor surfaced in the Philosophy department. Marina Marren was nowhere to be found on the group pre-registration and stunk of participation and acting during add and drop week. However, the vast majority of her students are now completely enamoured with her fun and uplifting teaching style, witty and humorous comments, and forgiving nature (important for an 8:30 class). The first thing you notice about Professor Marren is her accent that is neither American nor British. When we asked about her background, Marren explained that she was born in Estonia to a Russian family and grew up trilingual, doing her studies in English. After achieving her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Chicago, she enrolled in the PhD program in Boston College, Massachusetts. Marren explains her love of teaching as a career by pointing towards her strongest relationships in life all being with teachers, and how it seemed a natural path for her. A groundbreaking moment in her career was during her first year as a professor in Boston. “At Boston College during my first semester teaching, everything was stifled. Students were afraid, I was afraid. There was this crazy situation where no one knew what to do. I decided to bring in these active learning assignments where students would act things out. We went from a stiff and rigid classroom to an exciting learning experience and I thought, ‘oh gosh, if I can do that, if I can bring things together in this way, it would be a lifetime of adventure!’” Marren exclaimed. When asked what differences she noticed having taught AUC students and Boston College Coffee Talks: Old and New Professors LAILA ELBEHERI & HABIBA HAMDY PHOTO BY MR. ANDREAS AYRE Most of our pre-registration time involves frantically posting on Rate AUC Professors “ ” PHOTO COURTSEY OF MARINA MARREN The Insider Student Newspaper 14.12.17 INTERVIEW 7 students, she said that students here had a tenacity to, “hold onto the material and not let go until it is very clear what it is that we’re doing. This is beautiful for all intents and purposes in Philosophical thinking.” Marren also noticed a distinct richness of experience brought to the analysis of philosophical texts. Marren complimented AUC students’ honesty and openness. She explained that there was frankness. Instead of covering things up and putting them aside, they are dealt with head on. One example of this was the way students were honest if they hadn’t done the readings. “I don’t have to guess who read or who hasn’t read. People just say well, no, not today, and that opens the door for me to speak with that student and think about how the course is going for them. On the other hand, this bravado or sometimes defensive attitude I may take as a sign that maybe a person needs help, maybe something’s going on there that we need to sit and talk through.” However, Marren highlighted a big issue in our next question when we asked her what she didn’t appreciate about AUC students. “So Egyptian time is actually a real thing?”, she laughed. “I thought everyone was joking!” Marren explained that because her class is mostly student run, students coming in late can be daunting. “When there are students coming in 10, 15, even 20 minutes late, and there’s nothing I can do, it’s frustrating. They’re missing out on important things that happen in the first 20 minutes. On the other hand, I kind of have to walk this fairly sensitive line where I don’t come across as a hardass.” Fikry Boutros, known for generations as the best and most sought after professor for Rhet 1020 (the universally disliked mandatory research course) is probably the most loved professor on campus. You will often find students going to great lengths to deduce which section he will be teaching prior to registration. Professor Boutros was born into a half-Egyptian, half- Italian family and speaks five languages English, Arabic, Italian, French, and Spanish. He completed his Masters in Teaching English as a Second Language in AUC. Upon completion, he started his own business in training and language consultancy. In 2011, three years after applying, he was called and hired on the spot with the Rhetoric and Composition Department to teach writing. Today, he teaches Critical Writing, Argument Writing and Research Writing, as well as everyone’s favorite, Public Speaking. “Public Speaking is an Upper Division course, where I put all my efforts to enhance the course and make it both relevant and popular to our students. I was happy to see it catching fire and becoming a course that AUC students line up to enroll in,” Boutros explained. When asked what brought him to AUC, Boutros claimed it was his “passion for languages and passion for teaching which brought (him) to the field. Coming to AUC was pure coincidence.” Teaching at AUC was his first time teaching younger students. “From my first semester, I quickly connected with my students. I knew what it took. They have got to respect you. They have got to be convinced that you are on their side, and not against them, in their journey of academic exploration.” Boutros is known campus-wide for his stress-free take on research writing, focusing on the skills and techniques necessary instead of tight word counts and invasive deadlines. When asked about his unique and well-liked teaching style, Boutros replied, “I believe that what influences my teaching the most is my love for my students and my passion for the subjects I choose to teach. When you pour your heart into what you do, it pays off!” Boutros believes that his educational background has helped him connect with his students more effectively. Having initially been a Science major as an undergrad in Cairo University, “what I think I manage to do is teach the skills required for research for academic writing in a more ‘to the point’ approach. This helps me connect with a lot of students from different [academic] backgrounds.” When asked what Boutros likes about AUC students, he celebrated their diversity and aptitude. “There’s no doubt that the foundation they receive through their diverse curricular tracks, as well as non-curricular activities, such as clubs and associations, turns them into well-rounded, critical thinkers that can make a change in the future of the country.” Boutros’ final comment was to offer advice to AUC students. “As a student body, you need to realize that despite what you may think now, you’re living the best portion of your lives. You need to take this chance of a safe environment with all the benefits it has to offer to enjoy the experience.” Above all, don’t waste your years after a GPA! Take it from someone who’s been there. There’s much more to life than grades.” Finally, to the students who wish to pursue a career in teaching as he did, Boutros advised that the most important thing is to, “have passion for what you do and to love your students.” PHOTO BY RAWAN MOHAMED So Egyptian time is actually a real thing? “ ” You need to realize that despite what you may think now, you’re living the best portion of your lives. “ ” The Insider Student 8 FEATURE Newspaper 14.12.17 As talk arises amongst the students at The American University in Cairo (AUC) regarding the quality, variety and pricing of the food services on campus, The Insider AUC interviewed students and Ms. Noel Knille, the Associate Vice President for Campus Services, which includes food services on campus. A survey presented to AUC students on the ‘Rate AUC Professors’ FaceBook page indicates that The Bakery Shop (TBS) is the most favored by students amongst other food outlets. Malak Fawzy, a freshman intending to major in Architecture, said that TBS is her favorite food outlet on campus because of its, “tasty flavor and reasonable prices.” Regardless of its relatively expensive price tag, Butcher’s Burger is the second most favored food outlet on campus. Mariam Al Wardany, a freshman intending to major in Business, says that she favors Butcher’s Burger because of its wide variety and appropriate portions. In deciding what food vendors are brought on campus, the food service committee takes charge. This committee consists of students, faculty and staff.Aware of the proposals received, they’re invited to visit the sites from the different proposals, and they construct recommendations based on their experience. Most of us could argue that Shawarma Garage is not performing as well as other vendors in terms of sales and popularity. Ms. Knille explains that the reason behind this is that, “they are on a yearlong contract and are still in non-full service mode.” As for the food vendors that are no longer operating on campus such as McDonald’s and Auntie Anne’s, Ms. Knille explains the complications behind that by saying, “it is generally a hygiene issue because of repeated hygiene violations. In other instances, they choose to end their contract because their sales are insufficient. Other times, the issue is also contractual if they don’t live up to their contracted requirements.” Alongside the interview held with Ms. Knille, Mahmoud Yasser, a sophomore majoring in Business explains that he is dissatisfied with the food services on campus because of the lack of variety and unexciting taste. When asked about the quality of the food brought on campus, Ms. Knille explains that, “the original quality is assessed when we do the request for proposals to companies when a venue is available.” Once proposals are submitted, “there is a very detailed investigation that our food service staff, as well as people from the food services committee do. They go visit the kitchen, they go visit the chef, they talk to the companies to make sure that the hygiene levels meet the requirements at the kitchens and that all the workers are certified with health and food service certifications.” To ensure that the quality of food and services remain at their level once they are brought on campus, food service staff check deliveries that come in everyday. They make sure they are delivered in the correct containers, that they are sealed and at the right temperature. “It is generally a hygiene issue because of repeated hygiene violations,” said Ms. Noel Knile, the AVP for Campus Services when asked why certain food vendors shut. Food Services at AUC: There is a very detailed investigation that our food service staff, as well as people from the food services committee do. “ ” HABIBA SALLAM PHOTO BY ABDELSALAM EL TAMAWY The Insider Student Newspaper 14.12.17 INTERVIEW 9 In today’s world, we have a handful of inspiring teenagers doing things such as running their own business, winning world tournaments and running after their dreams until they catch onto the first strands of success. Sherien Shatta is the CEO of her own company, called “Sherry’s,” which was inspired by her love for photography. She has reached many extraordinary milestones at such a young age. Which include going on live TV, with one of Egypt’s most famous TV hosts. The Insider AUC interviewed Shatta to get an insight on her packed, busy life and understand how she became the superwoman/boss she is today! Q. Where did the idea of starting up your own business come from? My dad inspired me because he started his own company when he was in his second year of university. I wanted to do the same thing and follow in his steps because we are so close. I always aspired to be like him. He always tells me “work now, so you can rest in the future.” I don’t want to be in my late 20s or 30s still trying to balance having a family and just beginning to start up my career life. Q. Were you concerned with the amount of workload that you would have from university and being the CEO of your own company? Honestly sometimes I’m at work and the amount of things I don’t know and still need to learn overwhelms me. I sometimes used to feel so intimidated by the people at work that I would go to the office and cry. I wouldn’t show them this, yet I’d talk to my dad about it and he always reassured me. I was the youngest one in the company! He always told me to stay strong and optimistic. Q. How do you manage time? For the first semester, the 8:30 classes saved my life! I was able to finish university and head to work early so I could have sufficient time at my work. Basically I would finish my classes, then work, then I would manage my social life and friends. I didn’t want my life to solely be from university to work and from work to university. I still wanted to enjoy going out with my friends. Now I’m even balancing between these three things and my fitness life. Q. What is your take about being your own boss and would you have rather started out as just an employee like everyone else? It has its pros and cons. One of the things that could be both a pro and a con is the fact that I work whenever I want. It could be an obvious advantage; however, some people view me as being spoiled. For people with me in the company who have been working from 8:30 am and they see me walk in at 2pm, sometimes I worry that they perceive me in that, “spoiled girl” way. However, a big pro is that I gained endless respect from people all around me. They look up to me even though I’m the youngest one. Due to their respect for what I do, they’re always coming up to me to teach me new things because they know this is something I feel very passionate about. All in all, I like being my own boss! Q. Were your parents fully on board with this idea of starting up your own business or where they concerned with how you would balance everything out? No one forced me into this. I chose this route. They supported me because they see no one my age stepping up like this. Sherien Shatta: AUC Student, Photographer & Entrepreneur at 18 HAYA EL ZAYAT PHOTOS COURTSEY OF SHERIEN SHATTA I don’t want to be in my late 20s or 30s still trying to balance having a family and just starting up my career. “ ” The Insider Student 10 INTERVIEW Newspaper 14.12.17 They take pride that their own daughter is doing this. Education wise, they were never really concerned. They never ask about my grades, or exams. I do everything on my own; I wake up, study and finish all my work. They know and understand that. They are sure that I take care of my own grades and education. Q. You went on an interview, with one of Egypt’s most famous TV figures, Sherif Madkour, on live TV. Can you tell me about this experience? As ironic as it sounds, a lot of people told me that I was very confident in the interview. Little did they know that I was crying one whole week before it. I was literally crying non-stop and I didn’t want to do it because I didn’t know what to talk about and I didn’t want to say the wrong thing or embarrass him or myself on air. It turned out really well because he made me feel like it was a friendly conversation. Everyone told me about the introduction he gave about me and how great it was (which I didn’t get to hear live because I was stuck in traffic). When I found out he did this, I was sure he would look out for me during the interview. Hence, I felt proud of myself and successful as I was going in which made everything much better. It was a great feeling! Q. Was photography the main drive for starting up your business? Firstly, my business sprang from two things: Photography and my Dad’s company. I wanted to be a daughter company to my dad’s major company. We utilize my dad’s factory, and I use it to produce finished products that I sell. My dad doesn’t produce finished products. He furnishes people’s apartments. Hence, people go and buy his fabrics in bulk. We didn’t have the chance to sell ready-finished products and this was my exact aim. At the beginning, I started with just two products which had digital prints on them. At first, I saw them printing very poor quality pictures that weren’t aesthetically pleasing at all. This really upset me. I mean, they could use any of my own photos and even if they wanted external sources they could’ve picked much better ones. So, I joined the business and I developed this area thoroughly with the image use of my own photography. It began with me printing some of my photos on simple things and giving it to my friends as gifts. All my friends loved them. I thought why not make “Sherry’s” a gift shop? But then I thought that a gift shop is very limited from the development lens. So, I decided to join my dad’s company. I became one of his distributors, and I distribute my own finished products (anything that could be printed on fabric); but under my own brand. So in conclusion I’m using my dad’s company and my talent in photography to create finished products. Q. Would you like to tell us where we could find all these amazing products to purchase? I am available in all my dad’s branches, officially two shops in Mohandesen and Obour City Mall. The Facebook page will have all the products and the numbers anyone will need! After finishing up the interview with Sherien, I felt rather inspired by her work ethic and motivation to do this. As she mentioned to me, she wasn’t forced into this and most people viewed it as something unnecessary or extra of her. However, she still gave it her all and treated it as if it was a priority. Sherien Shatta and others like her need to be supported for stepping outside of their comfort zone and the “spoilt-lazy” teenage stereotype. It began with me printing some of my photos on simple things and giving it to my friends. “ ” The Insider Student Newspaper 14.12.17 OPINION 11 As per Dr. Noha El Nahas, Senior Counselor in the Adjunct faculty of the Psychology department, women and men express their emotions differently. Naturally, since men and women are different in many aspects, they deal and adapt differently to their problems. Girls and women, regardless of the individual differences, “tend to internalize their problems,” said El Nahas. They tend to keep their emotions, especially when it involves weakness or vulnerability, to themselves. As per Dr. Noha, girls resort to crying when subjected to most life problems. As Dr. Noha El Nahas said, the stress heals considerably as the problem is washed away through crying it out; “they could even open up and talk with close people (friends, family members) they trust for help in any kind, whether offering a solution or merely seeking advice,” shared El Nahas. The complete opposite is the case for men because, “men externalize their problems by being aggressive in general, or direct their anger to the specific action of fighting with the ones that caused them the trouble. They could even resort to doing activities in order to vent their stress out, such as playing sports,” stated El Nahas. It was implied from the interview, that it is a rare occasion to have sight of a man or even a male teenager crying openly. It is an undeniable fact that culture plays a massively significant role in shaping everyone’s behavior. In this case, the Egyptian culture puts men under so much pressure to avoid expressing their emotions. Societal values embedded in families teach their boys to toughen up. By this, family and society reinforce the belief or the custom that men shouldn’t cry. Hence, most males develop the cognitive mental schema that crying or the show of and free-open emotional expression is a weakness, and that such emotional vulnerability is a side of their personality that no one should be allowed to see. Societal pressure normalized them to wear an unbreakable mask in public so as to not reflect what they really feel. What if they decide to break this mask and reflect themselves and their emotions as they are? They are often ridiculed by others, as it is socially unacceptable for a man to cry in public. As previously emphasized, the gender differences in emotional expression are deeply rooted and engraved in the society. The controversial debate is whether there is possibly a real solution that ensures, or at least empowers, honest emotional expression or is it a failed case, no matter how much awareness is raised. “Trying to change an entire culture, with its embedded and intensively/widely acknowledged cognitive schema and traditions going on for years and years, is extremely problematic and unrealistic,” said El Nahas. As per Dr. Noha El Nahas, “there is no such thing as an intensive or comprehensive awareness campaign for the entire culture to cause change overnight. However, there is still some light and hope, as gradual change could be eventually possible if it starts from each family’s own choice. Within one’s immediate family, the decision to raise children with the ability to express their emotions and reinforce them to acquire this emotional intelligence ability will allow for a more psychologically healthy society.” Gender Differences in Emotional Expression SAHAR A. FARID PHOTO VIA SHUTTERSTOCK “Culture plays a massively significant role. “ “Societal pressure. “ The Insider Student 12 STUDENT LIFE Newspaper 14.12.17 Ever wondered what makes you get up every morning excited to start working? Okay, maybe not every morning, but don’t we all have these days where we feel motivated to ‘better ourselves?’ What makes us have days of excitement and productiveness while other days seem to drag on? Making ART? “Personally, it’s art or anything I love in general. It always makes me want to experiment and challenge myself and gives me genuine joy when I accomplish something. I think that applies to everything people are passionate about in general- be it music or sports.” said Nada Mohamed, a sophomore at AUC. As you let your feelings out on paper, either by drawing, or writing, you rid yourself of all the toxins and negativity. This is how you feel ready and motivated to work and challenge yourself. Getting Rewarded? Merna Khalid, a Political Science sophomore said, “If I am going to get rewarded by something, such as money, I feel motivated to work more. After I am done, I will use this money to buy myself something that makes me happy or to do something that excites me.” Of course, getting something in return as a token of appreciation for your hard work and dedication is always something to cherish. On a side note, who doesn’t want to make money so they can pay for the things they always wanted to do? Maybe use it to travel? To buy that new X-box, or that Ellie Saab dress? Looking up to someone Having someone as an idol is very inducing. The feeling creates a guided route of action to our desired goal; a route that is somewhat guaranteed because someone has tried ahead of us and proved it to be worthwhile. Parents are the first human beings we idolize. Their actions, attitude and approach towards life are a fascination to us and we tend to inherit these qualities as we grow up. Thus, becoming like them often becomes an objective. For instance, Raghda Usama, a 27 year old CEO and owner of LimeBlend Branding Hub, said that she had always dreamt of owning her own business because she watched her mother become a successful businesswoman as she was growing up. She was fascinated by the idea of being independent, able to balance work and take care of her household. Thus, when Raghda became a mother, she decided to take up the challenge starting her own business. She is now very content about her career and personal life. Even though parents play a big role in shaping our personalities and our life choices, instructors can also be a source of inspiration. Professors, teachers, guidance counselors play a big role in carving our character. Mariam Montasser, a junior, at AUC was influenced by her English professor’s ability to help her students with passion because she was doing something she loves. As a result, Montasser became a high achieving student in most of her courses, developed the same approach to life and is working hard on achieving her dreams as well. Academic achievements Sometimes, cautionary tales make the best motivators. Nourhan Tarek, a freshman intending to major in Business, achieved getting an A in all of her courses in High School. She has witnessed the unfortunate event of her friend failing her classes in her last year of high school. Nourhan was determined not to go through the same experience and to put all her efforts into studying. This resulted in her biggest achievement yet. This achievement inspired her to continue this success streak during her college years especially right now to declare Business (we all know how much of a challenge that is nowadays!) Wanting to make Your parents and loved ones proud? You can’t deny that the feeling of wanting to make your family and loved ones proud of you is one of the biggest sources of inspiration. “They always encourage me to be the best and to believe that whenever I feel stuck in life and disappointed, there will be an open door to a better future no matter how hard the situation is right now,” said Mariam Montasser. Salma Hegazi, a third year medical student, says that having her family support her decisions and talk her through her ‘down moments’ always motivates her to look forward to the future with a brighter perspective. Trying New Things? We all have this desire to try new things. Esraa Sabry always wanted to workout regularly and live a healthy lifestyle. What inspired her was watching YouTube videos of people getting their whole lives transformed by working out and living a healthier lifestyle.Working out led to making new friends and to living a lifestyle she’s happier with. “I inspire myself. I believe that the motivation to become a better person comes from within” says Maram Adel, a freshmen intending to major in Psychology. There are a countless number of things that inspire us to become better people. Yet, at the end of the day, you have to be your own source of inspiration. Keep looking for that one thing that makes you feel inspired. What Inspires You To Be Better? MALAK USAMA SONDOS ALLAM --------- “They always encourage me to be the best. “ “I believe that the motivation to become a better person comes from within. “ PHOTO BY ABDELSALAM EL TAMAWY The Insider Student Newspaper 14.12.17 STUDENT LIFE 13 Engineering is known worldwide for its prestige, difficulty, and need for intelligence. In Egypt, Engineering is known for being the only acceptable career choice (other than Medicine or Dentistry, of course). There are lots of reasons why engineering is so popular, namely the status associated with it, the hefty paycheck that comes along every month, and for a few of them, the fact that you’re contributing to society in a pretty awesome sense - you’re building it. Literally. Engineering at AUC is arguably one of the toughest things to major in. A lot of people drop out, give up, starve, or fall asleep in a dark corner of the SSE building to be found by the security guard at 4 in the morning because they’ve been asleep for 18 hours and they were thought to be dead (only slightly exaggerated). Engineering students can most often be found either panicking in the library while trying to copy assignments, finishing submissions or sitting on the steps in front of the SSE building laughing hysterically five minutes before their midterm (which they have long since given up on). We interviewed some Engineering seniors to give you the most seasoned, tried and tested tips on how to survive, as well as the truth about what it’s like to spend five years studying engineering at AUC. Our seniors were first asked how they dealt with the stress. Shahd Sherif, a Computer Engineering Senior, says a good tip is to start everything before it starts getting crazy. “Don’t leave everything until the last minute. Nothing happens at the beginning of the semester, so get everything you can out of the way.” Omar Abdelsattar, also a Computer Engineering Senior, recommends avoiding cramming. “Start things early. Start a week ahead or else you’ll get zero sleep and screw everything up in the exam because you started memorizing 8 hours earlier.” Time management is one of the most important things for any major, but even more so for engineering. When you’re taking a particularly heavy semester, it’s totally possible for you to have three projects and two assignments due on the same day, as well as three midterms the day after. Having that amount of stress put on you raises the question of how Engineering majors deal with it. Abdelsattar finds that staying at university for long hours to try and finish projects is considered a must at some point. “Accept the inevitability that you’ll stay on campus beyond midnight sometimes. You might as well make the most of it and order food from cool places in Tagamoa to soothe you.” Projects are either an engineering student’s worst nightmare or easiest “A” grade. Who you pick for a group can either pass you or fail you. Sherif insists, “find a good group. Find a good group. This is the most important thing I can say. See who asks smart questions, find people who are serious, seek compatibility. Don’t be shy. These are your grades on the line.” One of the only things more stressful than the workload is the threat of graduating late. Because the majority of engineering courses have prerequisites, if you drop or retake a course or fail to register on time, you could fall behind. Also, the idea of staying at university for five years isn’t exactly appealing. This is what drives some engineering majors to overload. Samuel Ishak, a Senior Mechanical Engineering student, is taking 21 credits this semester. Our interview time was limited to the 15 minutes he could offer between when his 11:15 class ended and assembly. When asked about whether the stress was worth it, Ishak agreed easily. “Engineering has one of the highest workloads in the university. We do projects, submissions, midterms, finals, quizzes, and presentations. It’s worth it because you learn how to deal with stress and work under pressure. You get really good at problem solving. You learn how to work the system. You know how to deal with people and how to work your way around things”. The Complete Engineering Survival Guide LAILA ELBEHERI PHOTO VIA THE INTERNET The Insider Student 14 STUDENT LIFE Newspaper 14.12.17 One thing that can be noted is how the engineering students were skewed based on gender. Unsurprisingly, all the interviewees agreed that there were extremely few female engineering majors. Ishak claimed that there weren’t any at all in his mechanical engineering graduating year. I asked Sherif what it was like being a female engineering major .She opened up about how she felt her experience as a woman was different to others. “As a woman in engineering, it does depend on how you carry yourself to an extent, but be prepared for people to keep asking ‘howa enty fahma?’ and ‘mot2akeda en enty fahma?’ you will often be met with disbelief when you get the best grades in your class. Ishak also noticed many differences between men and women studying engineering, especially in the workforce. “There aren’t many women at all doing engineering. We usually only have a couple in every class, and sometimes companies prefer men especially when it comes to working in factories or doing field work. In some offices, there are only two women in the entire company. Some professors love the girls and prefer them, but because they’re so few, they usually suffer when it comes to projects and getting notes for exams. It depends on the doctor, one professor won’t let girls into his office. Some professors go much easier on them.” The engineering majors were asked to provide one piece of advice to newly declared engineering students or freshmen facing engineering for the first time. Ishak wisely reminded them to focus on their grades. “Study hard for your introductory courses, you’ll find that it’ll help you later on. It’ll be really hard the first year, but it gets easier if you’re focused in your classes. You’ll be fine. Take notes.” Shahd reminded people not to stress over graduation and on overloading by saying “don’t overload too often. If you really need to, try to put all your easy courses together and overload them. I did that and it was such an easy semester. If you’re good at something, like calculus and physics, put them together in one semester. Whatever you do, don’t overload an entire semester of engineering courses together.” Finally, Shahd reminded everyone not to stress over graduating late. “Why the hell does it matter if we graduate late? Take your time. It doesn’t matter. Work will be there whether you’re 22 or 23.” Why the hell does it matter if we graduate late? Take your time. It doesn’t matter. Work will be there whether you’re 22 or 23. “ ” PHOTO BY FARAH EMAD PHOTO BY DAREEN HUSSEIN The Insider Student Newspaper 14.12.17 INTERVIEW 15 Cairo was declared one of the most dangerous cities for women. We hear of different harassment cases around us everyday. Each case suffered in a different way. Women in Egypt fight a different battle everyday. Imagine not being able to leave your house at night out of fear of being harassed or being unsafe around other men. Imagine walking down the street and feeling terrified when you hear footsteps behind you. They might think that they don’t hurt us with their words and stares, but they often leave invisible scars. Yet, society taught us to shut up and to let our harasser go. They tell us that if you want to get married, you can’t cause a scandal like this. Two girls decided to show the world the ugly truth that was hidden for years. Nadine El Hadidy and Laila Attallah captured the struggles of women in a video and they are here to talk about it. Q. Tell me more about yourselves Nadine: I’m Nadine el Hadidy and we are sophomores. I am a double major in design and film. We really love arts! Laila: I’m Laila and I am a CMA major and film minor. I’ve always been into editing. Q. How did the video’s idea come up? Nadine: We found the MeToo campaign and we wanted to contribute to the campaign because we really care about women’s rights. We decided to contribute by making a film because that is what we do best. Laila: It is not just what we do, it is what we love doing.We used it to talk about something that matters. Q. What was your experience shooting the video? Laila: I want to clarify that the experience was much worse than what is showed on tape because it is very hard to capture everything that happens on the street, such as the catcalling. Nadine: The video didn’t have any sound except mine, but while we were filming we got catcalled a lot. Laila: It is kind of terrifying that you walk down the street in a very crowded area and you feel unsafe. Nadine: For Laila, it was the first time for her to focus on what is happening around her. I told her that this happens all the time. We were very scared that anyone might notice us filming. Hence, we used our phones, because if we hold cameras, guys would focus on the camera and they would be interested in why we are taking pictures. We wanted all the looks to be genuine harassment, not curiosity. Laila: Before we started shooting the video, I used to block everything. I used to not notice, to not get terrified. When I actually focused, I thought ‘oh my God’. What I have been blocking out is unbelievable and that was just catcalling. #METOO: “They are all victims. They all suffer in a different way.” SHAZA KHALED PHOTOS TAKEN FROM THE OFFICIAL VIDEO MADE BY NADINE ELHADIDY & LAILA ATTALLAH The Insider Student 16 INTERVIEW Newspaper 14.12.17 Q. Did you learn anything new or did you face anything that might change your lives forever? Nadine: I feel that we are more exposed. To an extent, we’re not like the rest of the population. We don’t go out everyday or ride a metro. We go to university and go back home. We are very sheltered. It was an eye opening experience. Laila: Because we actually worked on the problem, it is on the top of our heads now. We noticed that it is happening in our daily lives, in front of university or in front of Point 90. Sexual harassment is not just in urban areas, like downtown. It’s everywhere. It made us pay attention to what is happening everyday. Q. How did you feel when your video became popular? Nadine: We were surprised because we did not expect to reach all those people. We were really happy because our point was to reach out to girls and tell them that you are not alone; to stay strong. We’re glad we reached all those people. Q. What was your biggest fear before shooting the video? Nadine: Mainly, the harassment itself. We are not used to walking in the streets. So, we were scared that someone might see that we’re shooting and that we would end up in trouble. We passed by a lot of places that are full of police and we were scared that they might notice. Laila: You can’t shoot without a permit; one of the harassers may point it out or come and argue with us. Q. Have you passed through any situation that caused you to say #MeToo before the video? Nadine: Of course, any time we go out, we get sexually harassed. We face it all the time. I once got sexually harassed on campus. It is something we feel and live for a really long time no matter what we wear. Laila: We always need to think whether it is appropriate to go out wearing this thing or not. We think twice and ask each other what are we going to dress if we are going somewhere different. We always have to think whether a certain outfit will be ‘too revealing’ or not. Nadine: This shouldn’t be the case. Q. What is your advice for girls who watched your video? Nadine: Our advice is that you are not alone and don’t ever feel like it is your fault, because it is never your fault. Laila: When we posted the video we got a lot of comments. We want people to say what they feel and to think through this video. Make the video, shoot a film and stand up for yourself. Neither of us could imagine that we would reach so many people, and we did. Nadine: If you can do something small that can make a big change, then go for it. The experience was much worse than what is shown on tape. “ ” Sexual harassment is not just in urban areas, it’s everywhere. “ ” The Insider Student Newspaper 14.12.17 OPINION 17 One of the struggles we face today as millennials is the identity crisis. This is known to be one of the most prevailing issues young adults encounter. AUCians face difficulties with identifying their roles outside and inside the university campus. In a sense, AUC is like a ‘bubble’; it is a safe space for experimenting oneself. Whether positive or negative, students at AUC can generally agree that being in AUC gives us a different experience. Most of you have come across some judgemental contexts that evolve around the epitome of what an AUCian’s personality, lifestyle and mindset look like. These judgements include the idea of AUCians being filthy rich, spoiled students, ‘lucky’ Egyptians and even the very belief that most of them are celebrities. An exemplary example of such outrageous claims comprises an uber driver once mentioning that AUCians are, in his perspective, the “spoiled rich party elite kids” of our society, just as portrayed in the movie Saadi fil Gamaa Al Amrikiya. Numerous AUCians have experienced a feeling of shame for attending this university at some point. This is due to the stereotypes associated with being a student at AUC. Nadine Ahmed explains that her current friends did not want to engage with her at first because they assumed she was a “snob” due to her being an AUC student. Norhan Mohammed, a student studying marketing, stated that she, “feels anxious” when telling people she is an AUCian because they start to make “false assumptions” about who you are as a person. On the other hand, being in AUC has proven to be a secure safe space for numerous students to express their ‘unusual’ ideas (in terms of the Egyptian society), ways of being, and even their dressing styles. Being in AUC allows us to tackle many issues deeply ingrained and embedded in our Egyptian culture more freely and openly (as agreed by most students). Controversial topics such as westernization, female oppression, cultural crisis in a globalized world and the labyrinth of social class struggles can be tackled without reservation and distress. Andre Andrawes, an architecture major, believes that, “AUC is always a more open community.” Nadine, on the other hand, disagrees saying that AUC is not necessarily more open to deviant ways of thinking as, “there are a variety of people (with both conservative and contemporary ways of thinking) like in other places.” However, the majority agrees that on campus, they feel more open to discussing their opinions and showing their true colours. “There is always room for peaceful discussions despite having different perspectives, unlike outside, where you may be beaten for saying an opinion that differs from the generally accepted one,” according to Neveen El Mallah, a junior studying finance. AUC does, to an extent, allow the flourishing of contemporary unorthodox ideologies. This university is an entity all on its own, distinct and disconnected from the rest of Egypt. The AUC Bubble OLA KASSEM MALAK USAMA PHOTO BY HANA MOAMEN The Insider Student 18 Newspaper 14.12.17 Shaden Elsheikh, a newly ad-mitted freshman, has imme-diately noticed the difference of being in AUC. She believes that, “the community and atmosphere makes it easier for people to be themselves because, sadly, one of the bad habits most Egyptians have is that we usually tend to criti-cise what is different from our culture.” Elsheikh added on to say that the stereotypes she has encountered as an AUCian are that, “they [AUCians] know nothing. They’re na-ive or they live in a different Egypt.” The constant criti-cism along with the students’ “overall positive” experience at AUC is often what causes some students to feel the con-stant need to westernise and isolate from the rest of the Egyptian culture. This inter-nal struggle of being an AUC student versus being an Egyp-tian can often times results in an identity crisis . There are different opinions and views, but it all comes back to what AUC as an entity stands for. As a liberal arts education school, AUC’s main aim is to develop lead-er- like personalities among its student body. Students are encouraged to pursue most of their interests, whether it’s through their majors, minors, general electives, core cur-riculum and student-run clubs. Elsheikh stated that, “in just the three weeks, I’ve managed to learn different things-from the content of the courses that are related to my major or not related to my major, from the pro-fessors themselves, from their experiences, from their knowledge, from the people I’ve met in or out of clubs, their experiences, and all interactions in gener-al.” This diverse education ex-posure motivates students to unleash and discover their true identity and personality through the four of five years of college. “I like university. I think the professors are more passionate here. I do think people are not friendly and obviously it’s a certain class that comes here,” said Fatima ElDousoky, a junior studying Film and Political Science. While salma, an outsider attending El-Mansoura Uni-versity, stated that she believes that, “in every student body comes the good , the bad , the crazy and the different. This makes it wrong for people to put one educational entity in one specific category just because the fees are expensive for most locals.” The harsh exclusions of reality may also be counter-argued by considering the attempts of AUC, as an entity, to integrate itself within the larger Egyp-tian community. Examples of the such include students volunteering in charity orga-nizations or cross-university competitions in sports and conferences. This shows the rest of the nation that AUC students are not as unap-proachable as they think we are. AUCians are perceived as, the “spoiled rich party elite kids” of our society “ ” PHOTO BY YOUMNA RASHAD The Insider Student Newspaper 14.12.17 FEATURE 19 3alRaseef is a community development organisation that began at AUC in 2012. Its aim is to change the lives of street children by giving them a proper education and the life skills they need. Their main goal is to eliminate illiteracy in street children, as they believe proper education guarantees a prosperous life. We interviewed Hania Gazar, the Public Relations Head of 3alRaseef, to get the facts about what 3alRaseef really is and what they’re accomplishing. According to the PR Head, 3alRaseef ’s shining glory is the sessions they run. “Weekly academic and non-academic sessions are given to kids in Al Zelzal area. Academic sessions include subjects such as English, Arabic, and Math to compensate for school. Non-academic sessions include life skills, such as leadership and teamwork. These sessions are entirely given by students who volunteer for 3alRaseef ’s activities,” shared Gazar. The Sessions Entertainment head, Mai Algheity, gave The Insider AUC a brief description of those who attend the workshops and what happens. “In sessions, we are aware that every detail in the way we teach our curriculum, will leave an impact on the children somehow. Our members are constantly exploring interesting methods in teaching and preparing the right curriculum that will help the children develop intellectually, mentally and on a person level,” explained Algheity. She went on to explain what the sessions themselves entail. “Our subjects are academic, such as English, Arabic, Mathematics and sciences, as well as non-academic subjects like research and debate which are designated to allow the children to think critically and scientifically. We aspire to offer a curriculum that would allow the children to experience several topics that would help them in their personality development, social skills and achievement of future goals.” Farag went on to explain that, “the sessions team believe that our children are the future of tomorrow and we couldn’t be more honored to aid in their education experience.” One of 3alRaseef ’s most successful events this semester was the annual Children’s Day held on the Oct. 22, 2017 in the gardens area. “The theme for this year’s day was, ‘Passion, Exploration, Journey’. The kids were introduced to an array of diverse fields ranging from arts to science so that each child would have tried all the careers by the end of the day. This gives them the sense of real life and effective career planning,” explained Gazar. Although, stay tuned because, “that’s not it, we have a surprise coming up!” she said. Gazar was asked what the most important accomplishment they had made this semester was and what was in store for 3alRaseef. “We are expanding!” said Gazar excitedly. “We now have 3alRaseef in the British University in Egypt (BUE). We’re trying to expand to as many universities as possible all over Egypt. We’re hoping that this will be achieved by about 60 percent this year. Moreover, we now have soft skills sessions. We began trips for the kids this semester, which is another great accomplishment. We used to have a fun day where they just came to play, but they now learn things and participate in purposeful activities. It’s much more systematic and professional,” expressed Gazar. “Our main aim is promote the culture of giving among AUC students by making a difference in children’s lives. We look up to a new generation of educated children who would make Egypt a better place,” said Farah Kandil, 3alRaseef President. 3alRaseef: Drawing Smiles Every detail in the way we teach our curriculum, will leave an impact on the children somehow. “ ” LAILA ELBEHERI PHOTOS COURTESY OF 3ALRASEEF MEDIA TEAM The Insider Student 20 FEATURE Newspaper 14.12.17 In terms of dealing with children and educating them, “It’s not something that’s easy to accomplish. It’s not common to find in Egypt. This is what makes us unique, not just in AUC, but also in Egypt as a whole. We have an amazing purpose, and the consequences of what we do are life changing. We’re building entire generations of kids who are educated and who have sufficient life skills that they need. This makes us special and very effective in Egypt.” The most important thing about a community service club is the bond between the members and the desire to actually make a change in people’s lives. “What makes it a good club is our spirit. We have a very strong and unique spirit; It’s very uncommon to find, such cooperation, how much people love what they do and how they see their work paying off and changing lives,” Gazar claimed. “I think our cause makes people bond together and they feel like they’re really accomplishing something meaningful. Gazar explained that the most important thing is for members to attend more sessions. “We encourage members to go to sessions, but I think if by the end of this year, each member has attended a session at least once or twice, it would improve 3alRaseef greatly. Our aim is to develop our kids but also to develop our members to be future leaders.” The consequences of what we do are life changing. “ ” The Insider Student Newspaper 14.12.17 FEATURE 21 (Disclaimer: this article contains spoilers for the first season of Riverdale, and minor spoilers from the second season, up to the fourth episode: “The Town That Dreaded Sundown”) This article is about a town, or better yet, this article is about the story of a town, once wholesome and innocent, and, well, if you’re reading this, you probably know how this goes. But for those of you who don’t, Riverdale is an American TV series based on Archie comics, which premiered on January 2017. The characters however have certainly undergone a transformation on their trip from the pages of a comic book to the silver screen. Growing up, I remember poring over an issue of Betty and Veronica back when I was barely capable of comprehending English, only managing to read the word “ZAP” in a Sabrina the Teenage Witch story, and getting a Jughead issue for my tenth birthday. Upon hearing that it would be getting the live action treatment, I was both enthused, and amused. How would a series whose main character’s sole role is regularly ricocheting between two girls survive in the cutthroat world of American TV? In an age where people are growing more and more aware of social justice issues such as women’s rights, diversity and representation, they needed to be bold and take a leap of faith, in the hopes of finding the holy grail that would lead them to the precious ratings they covet, and they sure did. In the very first shot of the series, the camera pans to the town’s sign, ironically declaring Riverdale to be “the town with pep,” minutes before flashing to a grotesque sight: A pale and bloody corpse, washed up on the ranks of Sweetwater river, commencing the season-long mystery of the murder of Jason Blossom. Even before the title card rolled in for the very first time, the stark difference between the TV show and the comic books was made abundantly clear. In essence, Riverdale is about the loss of innocence, a fact which executive producer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa stressed on, while the media and the audience were wrapped up with finding the perpetrator of the Blossom murder. The series’ sophomore season, however, which premiered on the eleventh of October 2017, is so far doing a better job expressing that theme. Literally kicking things off with Archie drenched in his father’s blood, who had been shot in the final minutes of the first season’s finale. Up until this point, Archie had stuck out from the rest of the gang. While Jughead was facing homelessness, Betty was struggling with her mental health, and Veronica discovering that the father she once idolized was far from an upstanding citizen, Archie agonized over choosing between music and football; a dilemma that was previously exhausted back when High School Musical first came out. Nothing served to drive the producer’s message home, or steer the audience’s attention away from the whodunit element of the Jason Blossom mystery. Not incest (between first cousins, though), not the rivalry between the northside and the southside, and not even the scandalous act of a parent killing a child. Nothing but the sight of Riverdale’s golden boy, standing in the middle of a growing puddle of blood, his signature letterman jacket stained beyond recognition. As hinted on in the season 1 finale, tensions are growing high between the north side, whose picturesque façade was shattered with the revelations of underlying corruption, and the southside; the town’s less fortunate sector, overrun by gangs. Fanning the flames is none other than Riverdale’s very own serial killer, the Black Hood, whose string of violent attacks serves as the final nail in the coffin of Riverdale’s innocence. It is unclear what exactly made Riverdale strike gold with the audience. Be it the witty one liners, the delightfully over dramatic characters, or Cole Sprouse’s (of Suite Life fame) return to the silver screen as Jughead Jones, a brooding loner with a penchant for true crime. Maybe it was the splash of nostalgia, and the novelty of actions such as prim and proper Veronica Lodge breaking into a trailer searching for evidence. Here’s to hoping Riverdale survives the dreaded second season slump, capable of taking down the best of shows, and if the first four episodes are an indication, Riverdale might just make it out alive, although its citizens might not. Riverdale: On Milkshakes and Murder MARAM ZEITOUN PHOTO VIA PIXABAY The Insider Student 22 COVERAGE Newspaper 14.12.17 MCM Mawlana Screening PHOTOS BY ABDELSALAM TAMAWY The Insider Student Newspaper 14.12.17 COVERAGE 23 SU Packs Fiesta PHOTOS BY ABDELSALAM TAMAWY The Insider Student 24 FEATURE Newspaper 14.12.17 We often have those times when we feel down because we are stressed to the extent that we want to leave everything behind; just drop everything and run away. Midterms every two weeks, assignments every two days and quizzes every day! All these things can make you say “I wish I could drop out!” It’s not even just midterm season that make us go crazy and feel stressed as hell, but there are other reasons for why we lose our focus on the material we are studying or the courses we are taking. From these reasons, we can find “personal problems” interfering within our course of studying. As Mayo Clinic puts it, “depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. College depression isn’t a clinical diagnosis. Instead, college depression is depression that begins during college.” Depression makes us feel lost, tired, incapable of either thinking or even making the right decisions. We start experiencing insomnia, loss of appetite, tiredness, emptiness and hopelessness. We often go through cycles of anger, irritability and frustration over the tiniest and silliest things. Depression deprives us of such a huge amount of energy and instead fuels us with anxiety and restlessness. Having personal problems adds a lot of pressure to the existing ones that are initially invoked by our instructors and by the courses we are taking. Personal issues have such a negative impact on one’s performance, they can make one procrastinate on the job until it’s too late. Some students put off tasks such as doing assignments or studying for a test by doing something else in its place. They make excuses for not working. Delaying work and putting off tasks eventually results in ones’ possible failure. In the courses and, as a result, they feel depressed for their incapability of producing results. Despite the circumstance, one should not ‘give up’, ‘stop’ or ‘give in’ to whatever fight they are confronting. Here is what some students had to say about their own ways of confronting depression in the “study season”: Mohamed Abd-ElAziz, a sophomore Mechanical Engineering student, said, “there are so many techniques to dispose yourself of stress or depression. One of which is that, whenever you feel down, you can have a ten-minute walk down the street. Talking to a close friend of yours can also make things ease up a bit. At least you will feel that you’ve rid yourself of negative feelings or emotions by talking to someone about them, or about a certain problem you’re having. Additionally, you can do some workouts or exercises to loosen up a bit of all the stress you are facing.” Habiba Ali, a sophomore Psychology student, explained that most of the time when she experiences depression, it’s usually because of grades, midterms, and the tons of assignments she gets per week. However, to break away from stress mode, she makes time to hang out with her friends and spend quality time with the ones she loves being around. She adds on to say that managing time is one of the most effective ways to reduce stress. “Having a time schedule is very important and it helps a lot with accomplishing assignments. It even helps with scoring better grades on quizzes and midterms.” We’re all vulnerable to stress and can easily fall victims to depression. However, this is never the end. Depression is a war with many battles to fight. This war is yours. Hence, never give in to whatever struggle you are facing. There are many techniques that you can use in your fight with depression; one of which is to believe in yourself. Believing in oneself is the main key to success! Do not let midterms, quizzes, grades, or even the personal issues you might be having influence who you are and shake the belief in yourself. There is never a need to stress yourself out over the temporary problems of university. Depression during the Study Season at University: “I need a break” CHRISTINE R. MOUNIR PHOTO BY DAREEN HUSSEIN One of which is that, whenever you feel down, you can have a ten-minute walk down the street. “ ” The Insider Student Newspaper 14.12.17 LITERATURE 25 Suzanna Hanafy Book Corner 1984 by George Orwell 1984 is a mind-blowing piece of literature that warns future societies of the sadistic and abusive nature of authoritarian governments. The novel features a futuristic dystopian society set in Oceania 35 years into the future. It is set at an age where advanced technology was controlling people. Orwell exposes the ways in which manipulations of language and history could be mechanisms of control. The reader survives a tough battle against oppression through the protagonist’s journey (Winston Smith). Challenging the totalitarian government, Winston Smith kept a personal diary and pursued a relationship with Julia. The struggles he faces reflect the government’s suppression of individuality, sex, and free thought. 1984 is a must read thrilling novel. A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams A Streetcar Named Desire is a beautifully written play that has continued to have the same staggering effect on its audience as it first had in 1947. Blanche Dubois, the protagonist, comes to live with her sister, Stella, and her animalistic brother-in-law, Stanley Kowalski in their small one-bedroom apartment. Blanche mentions that she took a streetcar named desire and then one named cemetery to come here. Tennessee Williams chooses the title of the play to cunningly make the implication that desire leads to death. This exhilarating play tells the zealous story of the desperate, fragile, and suppressed Blanche Dubois. Conflicts arise between Blanche and Stanley as his raw, over empowering, savage, and sadistic nature becomes more and more discernable. (Spoiler Alert!) Stanley’s inability to control Blanche causes him to brutally and savagely rape her. Stella does not believe the rape story and is convinced that her sister is crazy. They end up forcefully sending her to a mental institution. This ironic and shocking ending is what makes this play such a classic. Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson This novel makes for very interesting commentary on the savage instincts of humanity. Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde is a classic novel that very well discusses the thin line that separates good and evil. Dr.Jekyll, a well presented and respected doctor, experiments with a drug that separates his personality into two, giving him the option to transform into the corrupt Mr.Hyde. Stevenson makes the link between civilization and savagery, as reflected in the characters of Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde. Soon enough, Dr.Jekyll begins to realize how hard it is to return back to being the good doctor he once was. The novel becomes even more thrilling and insightful when Dr.Jekyll recognizes that Mr Hyde might actually break free from his control, posing a threat for the citizens of London. The Insider Student 26 LITERATURE Newspaper 14.12.17 POETRY The Cairo Trilogy by Naguib Mahfouz The Cairo Trilogy written by Naguib Mahfouz is a magnificent and epic trilogy about colonial Egypt. More specifically, it zones in on the enthralling story of a Muslim family in Cairo at the time of the British occupation. The trilogy tracks three different generations of the family lead by the patriarchal al Sayyid Ahmad Abd Al Jawad. It consists of Palace Walk, Palace of Desire, and Sugar Street. Palace Walk introduces the reader to the family-- the patriarchal dictator al Sayyid Abd Al Jawad and his abused and suppressed wife, Amina and their five children. The second book, Palace of Desire, explores the political, social, and economic turmoil that was brought to Egypt at the times of the British occupation. Sugar Street is the most significant and influential, foreshadowing Cairo’s future. The patriarch watches one of his grandsons become a communist, while another becomes the lover of a politician and another becomes a Muslim fundamentalist. Reading the trilogy, one would find that the family’s sufferings and hard times are actually a symbolism of turbulent Cairo at the time. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde The Picture of Dorian Gray is a magnificent, bold and philosophical piece of work that revolves around the beautiful and “innocent” Dorian Gray. The novel starts off with Dorian complaining about his portrait, as it reflects too much of his inner personality. Discovering the power of his outer beauty, Dorian Gray becomes deeply buried into a luxurious life not limited to drugs, alcohol, and debauchery. Throughout the novel his good looks and unaffected age protect him, while the portrait locked in his attic is of a completely different person. لقيتك شايله همي زي ما تكوني أمي سامحيني أنت حبك بيجري يف دمي كانوا عاوزين يفرقوا بينا يا أم الدنيا لكن مستحيل أصدق منهم أي حاجة تانية والعشم كان موجود ملا غنّا لك منير وقالك إزاي تظلمينا وحبك جوانا كبير ياما حاولوا يفرقوا بينا كتير وعمرهم ما توفقوا علشان حبك يف قلبي كبير وترابك أنا بعشقه أنتِ الأمل يف عنيا والخير اللي جاي أنتِ يا مصر يف عنيا ومش هقولك تاني إزاي ويف آخر كلامي ببعت لك التحية وسلامي يابلدي ياللي عشت فيكي ذكرياتي وأيامي وأعدائك يا مصر هم أعدائي وعشانك يكتبوا يف بطاقتي الفدائي مهما وقعوا بينك وبيني مش هتكوني ليهم ضحية شايلك يا مصر دائما يف عيني واتأكدت من حبك ليا وحياة جدودي اللي اتسموا الفراعنة أنا وإنتِ يا مصر اتخدعنا وحياة العلم اللي اترفع يف سماكي عالي قالوا ثمنك أدفع، لكن حبك يف قلبي غالي قالوا إنهم باعوكي وإن أنتِ بيعاني لكن طلعتي زيي مجروحة وبتعاني حاولوا يفرقوا بينا الحرامية اللصوص أعدائك وأعدائي اللي نهبوا الفلوس حاولوا بظلمهم يكرهوني فيكي أنا قلت اتغيرتِ علي ودي حاجة مش فيكي زعلت وقتها منك بس ماكنتش مصدق سامحيني يا بلدي لقيت حبك لي مبدأ قالوا أن أنتِ بيعاني يا مصر يا عمري قالوا أن أنت بيعاني وماهمكيش أمري محمود حلاوة مهما وقعوا بينك وبيني PHOTOS BY YOUMNA RASHAD The Insider Student Newspaper ٦ رأي 14.12.17 نُحاول جمعه حتى نكتمِل؛ لأن قلوبنا أُجهَدَت مِن السيرِ حاملةً فتات؛ فُتات لا يَزِن شيئاً ولكنّه يشغل مساحةَ لا بأس بها داخلنا، لكنه مهما طال الوقت فهو فتات، لا يفعل شيئاً سوى املكوث مكانه. لذا، لا ينبغي أن نتوقع شيئاً مِن الغد؛ لا سعادةً ولا شقاء، لأنه حتماً سيُفاجئُنا. سنُفاجأ بالواقع إن توقعنا غدا مشرقا، لنجده واقع مؤلم يسلب مِنّا أحلامنا ويحطمنا. وسنُفاجأ أيضاً إن توقعناهُ مظلم، لنجده يهدينا ما لم نتوقعه مِن سعادة ويَهِبُنا روحنا التي سلبها اليأس. التوقع قد يكون مؤلم وعواقبه كثيرة، تكاد تكون لا تُتَمَل، تكاد تكون قاتلة. وقد يكون كمصباح النور يف وسطِ طريق مظلم، لينير لنا باقي الطريق ويُهدهِد روحنا. فالاكتفتاء والرضا هما الحلان ملواجهة ما هو قادم؛ الاكتفاء مِن التوقع والتنبؤ، والرضا بِا قسَمهُ اهل لنا أياً كانت عواقبه. كفانا ترقُّباً ورسم خِطط لا تضيف لنا شيء، كل ما تفعله هو سلب روحَنا وراحة بالِنا. كل ما علينا فِعله هو ترك أنفسنا للغد، أياً كان ما يحمله، ونُحاول بكل ما أوتينا مِن قوة مواجهته بشموخ. لَن نجعله يكسرنا ثانيةً، ولن نتوقّع منه جبرَنا.. نحن لا نعلمُ شيئاً، أبسطُ الأشياء التي يُخيّل إلينا أننا على كاملِ الدراية بها، هي يف الغالبِ ليستْ يف صورتها الكاملة، ليست سوى نِصف الحقيقة. نحن نجهلُ حتى خفايا أنفسنا، لا نعلم ما الذي يسعِدُنا حقاً وما الذي يُشقينا حدَّ البكاء. لا نعلمُ ما الأحلام التي ينبغي علينا حتقيقها وما التي لا بد علينا إلقاؤها خلفنا. قد نشعر أن طاقَتَنا على وشكِ النفاد ثُمَّ نُفاجأ بِها تُدّد دون علمنا، وقد نجد قوة حتمُّلنا تكاد تكون غير متواجدة ويُهييء إلينا أننا انتهينا، فنجد أنفُسنا بعد ذلك مازلنا نُحاول ونثابر، وكأنّ طاقَتُنا أيضاً تُشحَن و تُدَد رغماً عنّا. كلما توقعنا شيئاً نجد الواقع يضرِبَهُ عرض الحائط. كُلّما توقعنا أنَّ أمراً ما يسعدُنا، نراهُ يحدث أمامنا لنجد أنفُسنا غير عابئين به، كلما ظننا أن شغفنا مُوجّه نحو حلم ما، وجدناه ينحرف عن طريقهِ ليبحث عن حلم آخر.. نحن لا نعلم ما الذي يَحمِلَهُ الغد القاسي، لا نعلم إن كان سيسعدنا أم يشقينا، لا نعلم إن كُنا سنُمزَّق مرةً أُخرى أم لم يتبق شيء آخر فينا قابل للتمزيق، لم يتبق سوى فتات؛ فُتات نُحاوِلُ كل يومٍ جاهدين جمعه، التوقُع إيمان خَروشة PHOTO VIA PIXABAY The Insider Student رأي ٥ Newspaper 14.12.17 وخير دليل على هذا الأمر هو الأديب الراحل الدكتور طه حسين الذي جذب انتباه العالم بفكره وآرائه الفلسفية التي آثرت اللغة العربية والعقلية البشرية. فكان يجلس لساعات يتأمل يف الكون ويسعى إلى متييز الأصوات وغيرها وينتهي بهِ املطاف عند صورة من خياله يَظهر فيها الإبداع يف صغر سنه. ولا داعى أن يكون هناك حذر يف معاملة الكفيف والاحتياط حتى لا نشعره بالإشفاق والضعف ، فما لا يعرفه املبصر أن الكفيف غالباً يكون أكثر علماً وصاحب بصيرة أكثر من املبصر، كما أنه قد يكون صاحب مواهب مختلفة بل ويتقنها أيضاً، حيث يمكنه توقع أمور ومعرفتها باستخدام مشاعره لأن كل مبصر يعتمد على بصره فى تقييم الأمور واتخاذ القرارات. بينما الكفيف يستند إلى سمعه ومشاعره وعقله، فيبدأ الأمر بالسمع مرورا إلى قلبه وعقله فيدرك الوضع ويتخذ القرار. وهذه آلية واحدة، قد يكون هناك آليات أخرى تساعده، ولكن - كما نرى من وجهة نظرنا- هذا ما ينقص املبصرين؛ أن يضيفوا العقل إلى القلب والقلب إلى العقل حتى يحدث التوازن يف اتخاذ القرارات. إن عاهة العقل أعتى وأكثر ضررا من عاهة الجسد، والخطر كل الخطر أن يتعالى شخص على آخرٍ ملجرد حاسة. فرمبا يبصر أحدهم والعقل مُظلمٌ، يف ضلال. ورمبا تُغمض عينك وعقلك مُضيء فتنجو، وهذا ما يفرق بين مُبصر وكفيف، ومتعلم وجاهل، ولذلك يجب أن نطلق اسم الكفيف على الجاهل املتغطرس. فليس كل مبصر بصير وليس كل كفيف أعمى. هل حاول أحد منا أن يغمض عينيه للحظات دون أن يتحرك من مكانه أو يدخل إلى غرفة مظلمة ليس بها أية مصابيح؟! البعض سيصاب بالدوار، والبعض سيفتح عينه مبجرد إغماضها خوفاً من الاصطدام بشيء. فكونك مبصراً تتمتع بجمال الدنيا صعبٌ عليك أن تتحمل لحظة من اللحظات التي يقاوم فيها الكفيف جيشاً من الظلمات. فبينما املبصر يبصر الحقائق التي يراها دون شكوك، يجب أن يكون على يقين أن الكفيف يرى ويعلم ما لا يعلمه املبصر ويدرك خبايا تخفى على املبصرين. وما زاد على ذلك أن كل خطوة يتخذها الكفيف تبنى على حسابات سابقة وأعداد رقمية تنظم خطواته أكثر من املبصر الذي يمشي يف أغلب الأحيان بعشوائية ورمبا مترفعاً. بالإضافة إلى ذلك فإن الكفيف يمشي يف هدوء وسكينة لأنه إذا صادفته ضوضاء أو أصوات غير منتظمة، رمبا تضرب خطواته أو تشتت أفكاره، وهذا دليل على أن الكفيف يُعمِلُ عقله طوال الوقت ويفسر الكون وما يحيطه من مواقف، وهنا التفكير والتفسير يمثلان له زورق يسبح فيه يف الظلمة حتى يتأمل يف الكون ويرسم صورته الخاصة التي يرى بها الكون من منظوره الخاص دون إجباره على أن يرى منظومة واحدة غير قابلة للتغيير. الكفيف أبصرُنا سيف نظير PHOTO VIA AL AHRAM The Insider Student ٤ صور Newspaper 14.12.17 تصوير: بدور حافظ و نوران فتحي PAL’s لا تطفيء الشمس The Insider Student رأي ٣ Newspaper 14.12.17 يف مدرسة حب النبي محمد علاء يف حب الجماد والحيوان ضرب لنا سيدنا النبي املثل حينما احتضن جذع النخلة ليهدأ حينما تركه النبي ووقف على املنبر الذي صنعه له الصحابة. هذا النبي الذي أخبرنا أن هناك من سيدخل الجنة لأنه سقى كلب وهناك من ستدخل النار لأنها حبست قطة. فما حالك مع مخلوقات اهل؟ وُلد النبي -صلي اهلل عليه وسلم- وجاء إلى هذه الدنيا ومعه الحب. فأشرقت شمس الأنوار ومعها شمس الحب ليكون موعد ميلاد سيدنا محمد الأمين. مدرسة حب النبي مدرسة لم ينته أثرها بل إنها ممتدة مع ورثته -صلى اهلل عليه وسلم- من العلماء. فإنك لا تدرك املعنى الحقيقي لهذه املدرسة إلا يف مجالس العلماء العظام الذين يورثوا لك هذا الحب. مدرسة حب النبي التي تعلمت منها ألا أكره أحد حتى أعدائي. علمتني حب الوطن حتى لو كان قاسيا. علمتني الصبرعلى البلاء وعلمتني الأخلاق وعلمتني العلم. يف مولده الشريف -صلى اهل عليه و سلم- نتعلم معنى الرحمة والحرص "لَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُم بِالُْؤْمِنِيَن رَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ - سورة التوبة، الآية ١٢٨ ". نتعلم الأخلاق "إنما بعثت لأمتم مكارم الأخلاق". فلنمش على دربه؛ بحبه يف قلوبنا وأخلاقه يف معاملتنا. وأما عن الأعداء فلننظر إلى فتح مكة عندما عزل النبي أحد قواده فقط لأنه قال "اليوم يوم امللحمة" بل صحح النبي املفاهيم وقال "اليوم يوم املرحمة" ذلك اليوم الذي عاد فيه النبي منتصرا بعد أن طرد من بلده بل حينما وقف أمامهم وسألهم "ما تظنون أني فاعل بكم؟" فقال النبي كلمته الشهيرة "اذهبوا فأنتم الطلقاء" فعفا عن من قتلوا أصحابه وأقاربه، فما حالك مع من ظلموك عند املقدرة؟ وأما عن البلد، فلا يستطيع التاريخ أن يذكر رجلا أحب بلده مثل النبي. فهو الذي وقف أمام جبال مكة حزينا ليخاطب أحب البلاد إلى قلبه وقال "واهلل لولا أن أهلك قد أخرجوني منك ما خرجت" فكيف حالك مع بلدك اليوم؟ أحتبها وتبكي لفراقها حتى وإن قست عليك أم أنك تفرح لخرابها وخسارتها؟ حتى من اختلف يف العقيدة معه -صلي اهل عليه و سلم- وقف له عند مرور جنازته حتى يضرب لنا املثل أن هناك دائرتان يف الحياة. دائرة العقيدة ودائرة التعايش. فما حالك مع من اختلف معك يف العقيدة؟ ومدرسة حب النبي تبدأ من محطة سابقة ألا وهي محبة اهل لرسوله. يف هذه املحطة نستطيع أن نتعلم معنى الحب الحقيقي. فمن خلال هذا الحب نستطيع أن نتعلم كيف نحب من حولنا بل كيف نعبر عن هذا الحب بشكل صحيح. من مظاهر حب اهل لنبيه أنه قارن بين إحباط أعمال املسلمين مقابل فقط أن يرفعوا أصواتهم فوق صوت النبي محمد "يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَ تَرْفَعُوا أَصْوَاتَكُمْ فَوْقَ صَوْتِ النَّبِيِّ وَلَ تَْهَرُوا لَهُ بِالْقَوْلِ كَجَهْرِ بَعْضِكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ أَن تَْبَطَ أَعْمَالُكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لَ تَشْعُرُونَ - سورة ." الحجرات، الآية ٢ بل إن اهلل عز وجل كان يؤذيه انصراف الناس عن النبي من أجل التجارة فقال "وَإِذَا رَأَوْا تَِارَةً أَوْ لَهْوًا انفَضُّوا إِلَيْهَا وَتَرَكُوكَ قَائِمًا قُلْ مَا عِندَ الَِّل خَيْرٌ مِّنَ اللَّهْوِ وَمِنَ التِّجَارَةِ وَالَّلُ خَيْرُ الرَّازِقِيَن - سورة الجمعة، الآية ١١ ". ولم يقل اهلل "وتركوا الصلاة" لأن النبي ببساطة هو أحب مخلوقات اهل إليه. يتمنى الكثير من الناس أن يعيش معاني الحب يف حياته. وحلم من أحلام الكثير أن يعيش يف قصص حب مختلفة مع كل من حوله من أصدقاء وأقارب وأسرة. ولكن يف حقيقة الأمر كل هذه القصص تفتقد املعنى الحقيقي للحب. فاملعنى الحقيقي للحب لا يظهر إلا من خلال بوابة حب اهل وحب سيدنا النبي صلى اهل عليه وسلم. لقد ضرب النبي لنا املثل يف حب كل شيء مما حولنا. فإذا دققنا يف كل قصص الحب يف الدنيا وعبر التاريخ لم نجد أقوى وأجمل من قصة حب محمد وخديجة عليهما السلام. قصة الحب التي جعلت الزوج الحنون يف فتح مكة حينما سمع صوت صديقة خديجة، جلس ووضع لها عباءته وجلس يتذكر معها أيام خديجة فما حال حبك لزوجتك بعد الزواج؟ PHOTO VIA PIXABAY The Insider Student Newspaper ٢ الأدب 14.12.17 إيمان خروشة Book Corner صولو - نور عبد المجيد "جميع مَن أحببناهُم وأحبّونا إما أن نرحَل يوماً عنهم أو هُم عنّا حتماً يرحلون" أن تقرأ رواية لِتَجِد نفسك قابعاً تُشاهد شخصياتها يَعبرون أمامك واحداً تِلو الآخر، أن جتد نفسك مشدوها بَا يحدث، وكأنك واحد ضمنهم. كعادة نور عبد املجيد جتبرُ القارئ أن يخوض معها رحلة طويلة مليئة بالألم والبكاء والصدق والحكمة، ويا لها مِن رحلة. ألسنا نحيا بسبب مَن نُحِب وقد نعتزِل حياتنا بسببهم! حتكي عن العلاقات الإنسانية يف مُجتمعنا مُبختلف طبقاته، حتكي عن التعلُق والفُقدان وعن سجن أنفُسنا. كلٌ لهُ سِجنه الخاص وهو الذي وضع نفسه بِه. فهُناك مَن يتخلَص مِن سجنَهُ وهناك مَن يتعايش مَعهُ وكأنه جزءاً منه. هي رواية كُتِبَت بقلم مِن نور، مُتفردة مِن نوعها وتأسرك بسحرها ومعانيها. في قلبي أنثى عبرية - خولة حمدي "أخاف إن نَحن ذُقنا حياة الاستقرار والفراغ أن نفقِدُ هدفنا ونصبح أشخاصاً عاديين، أن نستسلم لنمط الحياة السهلة" أجمل ما وجدت هُنا هو تشابك الأحداث وبلاغة اللغة وترابط الشخصيات. هي رواية مِن أرض الواقع. كان من ضِمن الأفكار التي راودتني أثناء القراءة أن بالفعل يف وطننا العربي ومجتمعنا بالأخص، نجد بعض الناس أفعالهم لا متت لدينهم بصلة، مسلمين كانوا أو مسيحيّين، نجد املسلم مسلم بالوراثة واملسيحي مسيحي أيضاً بالوراثة. على عكس ما حدث يف الرواية، أبطال الرواية أسلموا عن اقتناع تام دون ضغط أو ما شابه. لِا لا نشعُر باللذة التي شعرت بها "ندى" مع بداية إسلامها؟ أنحن أيضا مسلمون بالوراثة؟ تركت تلك الرواية يف نفسي أثراً عميقاً تساؤلات لا حصر لها. قواعد العِشق الأربعون - إليف شافاق "لا حتاول أن تقاوم التغييرات التي تعترض سبيلك، بل دع الحياة تعيش فيك. ولا تقلق إذا قلبت حياتك رأساً على عقب. فكيف يُكنك أن تعرف أن الجانب الذي اعتدت عليه أفضل من الجانب الذي سيأتي" تستحق الرواية ما أحدثته مِن صخب خلال الفترة الأخيرة، بل تستحق أكثر مِن ذلك. لَم أقرأ عن الصوفية مِن قبل ولكن هذه الرواية جذبتني إلى ذلك الاجتاه. هي رواية تدور بين فترتين مِن الزمان؛ القرن الثالث عشر امليلادي، حيث توضح لنا شخصية "شمس التبريزي" ونمو علاقته مع "جلال الدين الرومي" يف أسلوب مُتع ورائع. والأخرى خلال عاميّ ٢٠٠٨ و ٢٠٠٩ حيثُ سيدة تُدعى "إيلا" تقرأُ رواية لشخص يُدعى "عزيز" وتدور روايته عن تلك الفترة الزمنية الأولى. تتكون الرواية مِن خمسة فصول؛ الأرض واملاء والريح والنار والعدم. هي رواية لا ينقصُها شيء، سيمِسُّك قلم الكاتبة، سيطال قلبك ويعتصره، ونحن لا نبحث عن أكثر مِن ذلك يف عالَمِ القراءة. سيقرأها كلٌ مَنا مِن منظورهِ الخاص وسيجد كلٌ مِنّا شيئاً مِنه هُنا. في مدرسة حب النبي تابعنا facebook.com/InsiderAUC insidermasr.com/auc الخميس ١٤ ديسمرب ٢٠١٧ جريدة مـسـتـقـلة يصدرها طلاب الجامعة الأمريكية بالقاهرة - أسسها شـاهير شـاهين العدد رقم 11 الكفيف أبصرُنا » p28 » p30 #القدس_عاصمة_فلسطين تصوير: دانيا عكاوي
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Title | The Insider, Issue 11 |
Date | 2017-12-14 |
Coverage | Cairo; Egypt |
Subject | College student newspapers and periodicals; Cairo (Egypt)--Newspapers; American University in Cairo -- Periodicals |
Publisher | American University in Cairo. College of Arts and Sciences |
Language | English; Arabic |
Genre | newspapers |
Format | image/jpg |
Type | Text |
Rights | Copyright 2017, American University in Cairo. All rights reserved. |
Access | To inquire about permissions or reproductions, contact the Rare Books and Special Collections Library, The American University in Cairo at +20.2.2615.3676 or rbscl-ref@aucegypt.edu. |
Transcript | STAY CONNECTED FOR THE LATEST UPDATES facebook.com/InsiderAUC insidermasr.com/auc SHERIEN SHATTA: AUC STUDENT, PHOTOGRAPHER, AND ENTREPRENEUR AT 18 THURSDAY, 14 DECEMBER 2017 The Independent American University in Cairo Student Newspaper - Founded by Shaheer Shaheen ISSUE NO 11 Q. How will you create and implement a digital transformation at AUC? Transformation is the key word. Transformation is leveraging and we called it a digital transformation because we leverage in technology. We are using technological advancements to redefine the AUC experience from all aspects, such as providing services to all stakeholders. The stakeholders are students, faculty, administration and visitors that are coming from outside. Another major aspect is providing a new type of engagement in education inside and outside of the classroom, be it online or blended. It’s a total change of experience. Q. How do you think stakeholders will react to such a transformation? I think because the students use these digitals tools as a second nature, they’ll enjoy very much the new upgraded experience. They’ll find it extremely seamless and totally integrated in the consumer services that they use day in and day out. Q. How do you plan on achieving the transformation to a digital education? We have three pillars. The first pillar is called: The Paperless. We want to go paperless in all aspects. Very soon, we are launching an ‘AUC coin’ so you can pay with your ID and eventually upgrade it to be a wallet. Whatever we can do to get rid of paper and make all the engagement seamless, we will do that. The second pillar is: Open Data. There’s a lot of discussion on campus. Sometimes, we disagree on how things are defined and we disagree on how we look at the data. We invested heavily into building repositories of business intelligence and a lot of data. We are thinking of how we can avail that to all the bodies of students, of faculty and of administration. This is so that they can do their job and engage in a better way. The third pillar is beyond the campus which is: Online and Blended Education. There are tons of things happening on campus. It needs to invite engagement from outside of the campus and it needs to invite engagement whenever you can sit and enjoy these events or maybe review the knowledge that was captured in this event. All of these initiatives happen in bits and pieces. We need to consolidate them to create the impact and leverage all the knowledge that exists in the campus to move beyond the campus. PHOTOS COURTESY OF HANAN ABDEL MEGUID “ ” Transformation is leveraging and we call it a digital transformation because we leverage in technology. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 SALMA SHERIF » p4 » p9-10 Vice President for Digital Innovation Hanan Abdel Meguid: “We are launching an ‘AUC coin’ so you can pay with your ID and eventually upgrade it to be a wallet” The Insider Student 2 EDITORIAL Newspaper 14.12.17 The pencil lied on the ceramic floor. It was broken in half with an eraser that was seemingly bitten off. Its edges and sides were all punctured; whether by a high school geometry set or simply by a metal ruler. The pencil stared at me. It tried to tell me a story about how it once had a burning passion to write. That desire had been destroyed. At first glance, one may think that the broken pencil was run over by a truck. This was not the story. Instead, it had been run over by people. It had been pushed so far in thought, that it could no longer think. Writing was once its only outlet to breath, but it had evolved into its killer. The desire to write was one thing. The requirement to please readers was another. Perhaps, the audience that once applauded the pencil’s opinion, led to its destruction. Too much applause can backfire too. “Applause means you did well,” said the pencil. “Too much applause means expectations,” he said. One ‘error’ in what you say is not forgivable. The pencil’s chewed off eraser stayed silent. What was said verbally was relatively fixable, but once anything was written, it could not be taken back. Erasing it was an option that had limits. The eraser’s diplomacy and ability to withstand criticism had a lifespan too. With every comment, it got smaller and weaker, until it was no more. There was no room for fixing what people saw as a mistake. There was one part of the broken pencil that shone. The tip of the pencil; the piece of lead that created words, sparkled on the floor giving off a contrast between the white tiles and grey edges of its own body. “I can come back when I want to. I can live inside another,” said the lead. The power was not in the pencil itself, but in its ability to write words that could change worlds. If the body was dead, its ideology was immortal. Previous words touched others and inspired them to write too. The story of a pencil doesn’t die with the pencil. You can sharpen it and give it a new eraser. You can simply scribble over the words that aren’t satisfying. If all else fails, “live inside another,” repeated the lead. There is no reason to sit by a broken pencil in tears when you can pick up another. Having written this in my RHET: 3150 Poetry Writing class with Dr. Melanie Carter at the very beginning of the semester, I never believed there was a limit to writing and creative thought until finding myself drained. When every assignment and task is just to write in all kind of forms. Creative takes have their limits sometimes. Dania Akkawi From One Pencil to Another Editor-in-Chief TEAM President and Editor-in-Chief: DANIA AKKAWI Vice President and OC Head: MOHAMED ZAKARIA Journalism Committee: FARAH EL-REFAI (MANAGING EDITOR), SHAZA KHALED (JOURNALISM ENGLISH HEAD), MAHY SHOUKRY (JOURNALISM ENGLISH HEAD), MARIAM EL-PRINCE (JOURNALISM ARABIC HEAD), EMAN KHAROSHAH, NOUR ANWAR, FAYROUZ ELSEROGY, MAYSOON ELHUSSEINY,SONDOS OSAMA, MOHAMED BADRAN, FARAH ABDELGHANI, YASMINA YASSER,SAHAR A. FARID, SEIF NAZIR, SALMA SHERIF, AHMED AYMAN, YASMIN RAAFAT, YOMNA MOHAMED, OLA KASSEM, SALMA AFIFI, NADA MEDHAT, MALAK USAMA, MIRNA ALAA, HAYA ZYATY, ZIAD ABDEEN, HANNIA KHATTAB, HABIBA KHALED, MENNA MOHAMMED, MIRAL OMAR, MARAM ZEITOUN, SUZANNA HANAFY, AND LAILA ELBEHERI Multimedia Committee: BEDOUR HAFEZ (HEAD), ABDELSALAM EL TAMAWY (CONTENT MANAGER), ABDULLA SHAKER, AHMED ELSAYED, ALAA MAHMOUD, DAREEN HUSSEIN, FARAH EMAD, FARAH MAHGOUB, HANA MOAMEN, KARIM OMRAN, LEILAH EL HANBALY, MOHAMED HASSAN, MONICA BOSHRA, NOURAN FATHY, RAWAN MOHAMED, SALMA NOMEIR, SOHAILA ANAS, YOUMNA RASHAD, ZIAD ABDEEN Marketing Head: LAILA ELBEHERI Graphic Design Head: JOMANA ABOU EL ELLA HR Director: LEENA ROWAN Logistics Head: MAHMOUD YASSER Financial Coordinator: SARA ASHOUR The Insider neither endorses nor is responsible for the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, piece of advice, or statement made in the Opinion pages. The ideas expressed are solely the opinions of their respective author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of The Insider newspaper or AUC administration. THIS PUBLICATION WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE IF IT WASN’T FOR... BEDOUR HAFEZ JOMANA ABOU EL ELLA SHAHEER SHAHEEN MOHAMED ALAA AHMED KHALIFA MOHAMED YASSER DANIA AKKAWI MOHAMED ZAKARIA FARAH EL-REFAI SHAZA KHALED MAHY SHOUKRY MARIAM EL-PRINCE LAILA ELBEHERI MICHAEL GIBSON The Insider Student Newspaper 14.12.17 INTERVIEW 3 Q. How long would it take for the actual succession and implementation of these goals? It’s a journey. There is no ultimate success, but it’s an ultimate change in philosophy, how we approach new projects, and how we approach new types of engagement. It will take time for the community to feel the total impact of a transformation. Often we can be met with resistance, but if you want to do things differently, there will always be resistance. There is also the infrastructure that needs to be addressed so that we can witness this revolution and the effect of going digital. I have to say that AUC is already at a totally different place compared to other universities. It’s already more advanced than any of its peers. We are just transforming to make it even more leveraging and more redefining for the digital innovation that exists. Q. If such implementation succeeds in AUC, what’s the next goal? Will you expand such transformation in other universities, including public universities? I am very indifferent about this matter. Let me tell you something: one of my core motivators as Hanan in my position is that I totally foresee that if we implement all these initiatives and all these transformations in AUC, the market will follow and people will learn a lot. Even when students get used to such digital experiences on the campus and in their daily life, they will demand it and whenever they are engaged in a new kind of business or they establish their own businesses, it will have a ripple effect on the business community and communities in Egypt. We are fixing a lot of the core things and taking baby steps towards this digital transformation. In every aspect, we are engaging with the students to make it happen and to learn because it’s a learning experience. Nobody can really do such transformations without all the stakeholders. Hence, we are engaging with the students in order to plan the marketing and in order to study what works and what does not work. At any point of time, if there is any feedback, any kind of engagement or any student that would like to be part of this transformation process, we are very open to that. Q. How would you approach stakeholders with ‘baby steps?’ We have several advantages from my standpoint. We are approaching them through the Student Union, through all leaderships, groups of marketing teams that exist or through any active community member that becomes part of the conversation by default. Amongst the very exciting projects is that we will create the “Holistic Student Application”. This is so that we can engage in a direct manner with all kinds of services. I believe that this will increase the engagement of students. In this day and age, I’m sure that engaging in real time chats and conversation will make it much easier for students to engage and much better than emails for the sake of accessibility. We will have all these venues to communicate. Definitely anything that we launch, we launch with the students’ support. Q. Do you think that the “Holistic Student Application” could potentially annoy whomever the students communicated with? Could it break barriers to the extreme if they are always engaging and active? It’s getting the university and all the experiences closer than the regular experience that students have with all the platforms that they use. It’s not extreme. Instead it’s making it closer, normal and more engaged with the millennium and the generation that we are serving. Especially that AUC is always ahead of the curve because they are exposed to and use the latest technology. Definitely they deserve to claim and consume the experience of AUC in all aspects, whether it’s the learning or the student’s life in a digital format. It will take time for the community to feel the total impact of a transformation. Often we can be met with resistance, but if you want to do things differently, there will always be resistance. “ ” AUC is always ahead of the curve because they are exposed to and use the latest technology. “ ” PHOTO BY ALAA MAHMOUD The Insider Student 4 APP Newspaper 14.12.17 Insider App Launch insidermasr.com/app Ever wondered why you always seem to get stuck with the worst professors in the worst courses? You spent hours planning how your registration night with banner would go, only to end up registering one course with a professor you do not even like. Not to mention that this was not even on the list of courses you intended to enroll in. Oh and brace yourself, it’s an 8:30 class too. Registration always does seem like a nightmare. Most students stay awake until midnight high on red bull or coffee with a bunch of potential class schedules and CRN numbers scattered everywhere. God knows whether 21334 is your priority calculus class or the philosophical thinking course you’ve been avoiding for the past three semesters. Well, The Insider’s App got you covered for the incoming semester and for the rest of the red bull-infused college experience. This app is a community-based platform for students to socialize through student-initiated debatable and controversial discussions and follow up with campus news. Since you have the option of being anonymous, feel free to hide behind the unknown nickname your mom uses or even an emoji that represents you. Be free. Rant all you want. Gawasees el professor can’t find you here! There is an entire rating professors section on the app dedicated solely for trying to ensure you register for the right courses, with the right professors, for the right reasons. Hopefully, this might save the GPA that got hit by bus and never seemed to recover. All you have to do is download the app, be it on your iPhone or Samsung, make an account and start searching for the names of your professors. Their ratings will instantly pop up! You can also participate in rating professors you personally took courses with. It’s a given duty to warn those who come after you that certain courses are workload-infused and borderline abusive. (Yes, I am talking to the SSE students crying in a corner over their midterm grades). Instead of crying, download the app and rant. Just vent out all your feelings in an anonymous post about how the department screwed you over and how you were unfairly graded. The next step is to rate that professor so future students do not end up in the same state that you are currently in. But don’t forget to start gathering names to petition against that professor because odds are, you are not the only one who is crying under a blanket thinking that you will never make it to graduate school. We wish you a happy registration and hope you end up in bearable classes! DANIA AKKAWI The Insider Student Newspaper 14.12.17 INTERVIEW 5 According to the Animal Rights Association, AUC’s administration is planning on banning cats from campus, which would deprive animal enthusiasts of essential daily cat-petting- and-feeding-sessions. Anxious to learn more about how and why this ban could happen, The Insider AUC spoke to Salma Seyam, head of the ‘Cats on Campus project’ in the ARA right here at our very own campus. Seyam explained that the ‘Cats on Campus project’ was one of four carried out by the ARA, “aiming to establish a healthy, sustainable and safe environment for both the cats and the student body by making sure that the basic needs of each cat are met. These include vaccinations, being fed daily, and weekly checkups on their health.” Seyam adds that, “we immediately react to all reasonable concerns of both the student body and staff, and have drafted a policy to manage, regulate and control the population of campus cats, their health and safety through veterinary care, feeding, neutering, fostering and adoption.” One thing that was surprising to hear was that AUC’S New Cairo campus isn’t the first to have taken in these cats, as the Tahrir campus did too. The question is: why kick them out after all these years? Seyam replied “it has been an ongoing discussion that stemmed from various complaints that the university has received concerning both security and health. The previous workers used to feed these cats and had a special bond with them. However, the new staff have not been given the task of putting out food for the cats. The university stopped feeding the cats in hopes that they would leave campus. However, this isn’t in the nature of these cats anymore, as they’ve become entirely dependent on humans.” It’s evident that this influx of change and predicament has increased problems, resulting in even more issues than what the campus was initially dealing with. When asked if there would be further severe consequences and implications that both cats and the students would face because of the potential ban, Seyam shared heartbreaking realities. “The amount of kittens we have been finding on campus has increased greatly and two of them have already died. We have been noticing an increase in injuries in cats due to them fighting over food and territory. It is normal that during the summer, the cat population on campus shifts and new cats enter and make AUC their home. When this happens, these cats should be vaccinated immediately. However, since they are not being vaccinated anymore, this not only harms other cats on campus but also harms students who gets bitten by unvaccinated cats.” Realizing that the issue has evolved and is concerned with a larger audience and the safety of students, the ARA set a plan to tackle this problem. Seyam suggested, “a strict policy that puts health and safety as a priority,” as the club’s starting point. Among the many positive things ARA has done to help the situation is that “we have taken all the kittens instantly to the vet and put them all up for adoption. We have managed to find homes for most of these kittens. We have also reached out to other campuses such as The American University in Beirut (who have a website for cats on campus and an established policy for their 300+ cats) and Cairo American College, who have food stations and constant care for their cats.” Seyam further explains that through this, the ARA has drafted a policy consisting of guidelines regarding the interaction between the students on campus and the cats (in terms of not feeding them near the food court, recognizing vaccinated cats from those who aren’t, etc). ARA is trying to come up with solutions to reduce, mitigate or even eliminate the severe consequences this could have on the cute fur balls. It’s possible for each and every student to make a difference. Seyam explained how the AUC community can help and that is by reporting any case of an injured cat so that the Cats on Campus committee can provide immediate care. “Another way they can help us is through finding forever homes for the kittens and by fostering any injured cat until they are healthy enough to be released back on campus. Cats also stay in places where they are provided with food so students can simply always make sure to close food court doors behind them and feed them away from the food court.” Of course, it gets a little frustrating sometimes when a cat hops onto the table while we’re enjoying some food but deep down, we secretly love them. Isn’t it crazy that some of us can tell them apart too? From the ones that hang by Catering to the ones by the bus gate. It tells you a great deal about the relationship and bond we’ve quickly created with them. Our full AUC experience cannot be complete without these cats that have always been there in the background. So, let’s put the effort in keeping them here. Keeping Up With The Cats On Campus: YOMNA MARZOUK “The previous workers used to feed these cats and had a special bond with them. However, the new staff have not been given the task of putting out food for the cats,” said Salma Seyam, Head of ARA’s Cats on Campus project.” PHOTO COURTESY OF SALMA SEYAM PHOTO BY ABDELSALAM TAMAWY The Insider Student 6 INTERVIEW Newspaper 14.12.17 As students, our GPA is our main priority, followed by the quality of our education. These two things are largely dependent on who teaches us. A good professor and a hard course can mean a respectable grade, and vice versa. Most of our pre-registration time involves frantically posting on Rate AUC Professors trying to find out if we should take the risk with a new professor because it has the time slot you want, or if we should beg the department the next day to let you into the section in the negatives. Despite the reputation of new professors being too risky, many of them end up being some of the best professors you will ever have. This semester, a new professor surfaced in the Philosophy department. Marina Marren was nowhere to be found on the group pre-registration and stunk of participation and acting during add and drop week. However, the vast majority of her students are now completely enamoured with her fun and uplifting teaching style, witty and humorous comments, and forgiving nature (important for an 8:30 class). The first thing you notice about Professor Marren is her accent that is neither American nor British. When we asked about her background, Marren explained that she was born in Estonia to a Russian family and grew up trilingual, doing her studies in English. After achieving her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Chicago, she enrolled in the PhD program in Boston College, Massachusetts. Marren explains her love of teaching as a career by pointing towards her strongest relationships in life all being with teachers, and how it seemed a natural path for her. A groundbreaking moment in her career was during her first year as a professor in Boston. “At Boston College during my first semester teaching, everything was stifled. Students were afraid, I was afraid. There was this crazy situation where no one knew what to do. I decided to bring in these active learning assignments where students would act things out. We went from a stiff and rigid classroom to an exciting learning experience and I thought, ‘oh gosh, if I can do that, if I can bring things together in this way, it would be a lifetime of adventure!’” Marren exclaimed. When asked what differences she noticed having taught AUC students and Boston College Coffee Talks: Old and New Professors LAILA ELBEHERI & HABIBA HAMDY PHOTO BY MR. ANDREAS AYRE Most of our pre-registration time involves frantically posting on Rate AUC Professors “ ” PHOTO COURTSEY OF MARINA MARREN The Insider Student Newspaper 14.12.17 INTERVIEW 7 students, she said that students here had a tenacity to, “hold onto the material and not let go until it is very clear what it is that we’re doing. This is beautiful for all intents and purposes in Philosophical thinking.” Marren also noticed a distinct richness of experience brought to the analysis of philosophical texts. Marren complimented AUC students’ honesty and openness. She explained that there was frankness. Instead of covering things up and putting them aside, they are dealt with head on. One example of this was the way students were honest if they hadn’t done the readings. “I don’t have to guess who read or who hasn’t read. People just say well, no, not today, and that opens the door for me to speak with that student and think about how the course is going for them. On the other hand, this bravado or sometimes defensive attitude I may take as a sign that maybe a person needs help, maybe something’s going on there that we need to sit and talk through.” However, Marren highlighted a big issue in our next question when we asked her what she didn’t appreciate about AUC students. “So Egyptian time is actually a real thing?”, she laughed. “I thought everyone was joking!” Marren explained that because her class is mostly student run, students coming in late can be daunting. “When there are students coming in 10, 15, even 20 minutes late, and there’s nothing I can do, it’s frustrating. They’re missing out on important things that happen in the first 20 minutes. On the other hand, I kind of have to walk this fairly sensitive line where I don’t come across as a hardass.” Fikry Boutros, known for generations as the best and most sought after professor for Rhet 1020 (the universally disliked mandatory research course) is probably the most loved professor on campus. You will often find students going to great lengths to deduce which section he will be teaching prior to registration. Professor Boutros was born into a half-Egyptian, half- Italian family and speaks five languages English, Arabic, Italian, French, and Spanish. He completed his Masters in Teaching English as a Second Language in AUC. Upon completion, he started his own business in training and language consultancy. In 2011, three years after applying, he was called and hired on the spot with the Rhetoric and Composition Department to teach writing. Today, he teaches Critical Writing, Argument Writing and Research Writing, as well as everyone’s favorite, Public Speaking. “Public Speaking is an Upper Division course, where I put all my efforts to enhance the course and make it both relevant and popular to our students. I was happy to see it catching fire and becoming a course that AUC students line up to enroll in,” Boutros explained. When asked what brought him to AUC, Boutros claimed it was his “passion for languages and passion for teaching which brought (him) to the field. Coming to AUC was pure coincidence.” Teaching at AUC was his first time teaching younger students. “From my first semester, I quickly connected with my students. I knew what it took. They have got to respect you. They have got to be convinced that you are on their side, and not against them, in their journey of academic exploration.” Boutros is known campus-wide for his stress-free take on research writing, focusing on the skills and techniques necessary instead of tight word counts and invasive deadlines. When asked about his unique and well-liked teaching style, Boutros replied, “I believe that what influences my teaching the most is my love for my students and my passion for the subjects I choose to teach. When you pour your heart into what you do, it pays off!” Boutros believes that his educational background has helped him connect with his students more effectively. Having initially been a Science major as an undergrad in Cairo University, “what I think I manage to do is teach the skills required for research for academic writing in a more ‘to the point’ approach. This helps me connect with a lot of students from different [academic] backgrounds.” When asked what Boutros likes about AUC students, he celebrated their diversity and aptitude. “There’s no doubt that the foundation they receive through their diverse curricular tracks, as well as non-curricular activities, such as clubs and associations, turns them into well-rounded, critical thinkers that can make a change in the future of the country.” Boutros’ final comment was to offer advice to AUC students. “As a student body, you need to realize that despite what you may think now, you’re living the best portion of your lives. You need to take this chance of a safe environment with all the benefits it has to offer to enjoy the experience.” Above all, don’t waste your years after a GPA! Take it from someone who’s been there. There’s much more to life than grades.” Finally, to the students who wish to pursue a career in teaching as he did, Boutros advised that the most important thing is to, “have passion for what you do and to love your students.” PHOTO BY RAWAN MOHAMED So Egyptian time is actually a real thing? “ ” You need to realize that despite what you may think now, you’re living the best portion of your lives. “ ” The Insider Student 8 FEATURE Newspaper 14.12.17 As talk arises amongst the students at The American University in Cairo (AUC) regarding the quality, variety and pricing of the food services on campus, The Insider AUC interviewed students and Ms. Noel Knille, the Associate Vice President for Campus Services, which includes food services on campus. A survey presented to AUC students on the ‘Rate AUC Professors’ FaceBook page indicates that The Bakery Shop (TBS) is the most favored by students amongst other food outlets. Malak Fawzy, a freshman intending to major in Architecture, said that TBS is her favorite food outlet on campus because of its, “tasty flavor and reasonable prices.” Regardless of its relatively expensive price tag, Butcher’s Burger is the second most favored food outlet on campus. Mariam Al Wardany, a freshman intending to major in Business, says that she favors Butcher’s Burger because of its wide variety and appropriate portions. In deciding what food vendors are brought on campus, the food service committee takes charge. This committee consists of students, faculty and staff.Aware of the proposals received, they’re invited to visit the sites from the different proposals, and they construct recommendations based on their experience. Most of us could argue that Shawarma Garage is not performing as well as other vendors in terms of sales and popularity. Ms. Knille explains that the reason behind this is that, “they are on a yearlong contract and are still in non-full service mode.” As for the food vendors that are no longer operating on campus such as McDonald’s and Auntie Anne’s, Ms. Knille explains the complications behind that by saying, “it is generally a hygiene issue because of repeated hygiene violations. In other instances, they choose to end their contract because their sales are insufficient. Other times, the issue is also contractual if they don’t live up to their contracted requirements.” Alongside the interview held with Ms. Knille, Mahmoud Yasser, a sophomore majoring in Business explains that he is dissatisfied with the food services on campus because of the lack of variety and unexciting taste. When asked about the quality of the food brought on campus, Ms. Knille explains that, “the original quality is assessed when we do the request for proposals to companies when a venue is available.” Once proposals are submitted, “there is a very detailed investigation that our food service staff, as well as people from the food services committee do. They go visit the kitchen, they go visit the chef, they talk to the companies to make sure that the hygiene levels meet the requirements at the kitchens and that all the workers are certified with health and food service certifications.” To ensure that the quality of food and services remain at their level once they are brought on campus, food service staff check deliveries that come in everyday. They make sure they are delivered in the correct containers, that they are sealed and at the right temperature. “It is generally a hygiene issue because of repeated hygiene violations,” said Ms. Noel Knile, the AVP for Campus Services when asked why certain food vendors shut. Food Services at AUC: There is a very detailed investigation that our food service staff, as well as people from the food services committee do. “ ” HABIBA SALLAM PHOTO BY ABDELSALAM EL TAMAWY The Insider Student Newspaper 14.12.17 INTERVIEW 9 In today’s world, we have a handful of inspiring teenagers doing things such as running their own business, winning world tournaments and running after their dreams until they catch onto the first strands of success. Sherien Shatta is the CEO of her own company, called “Sherry’s,” which was inspired by her love for photography. She has reached many extraordinary milestones at such a young age. Which include going on live TV, with one of Egypt’s most famous TV hosts. The Insider AUC interviewed Shatta to get an insight on her packed, busy life and understand how she became the superwoman/boss she is today! Q. Where did the idea of starting up your own business come from? My dad inspired me because he started his own company when he was in his second year of university. I wanted to do the same thing and follow in his steps because we are so close. I always aspired to be like him. He always tells me “work now, so you can rest in the future.” I don’t want to be in my late 20s or 30s still trying to balance having a family and just beginning to start up my career life. Q. Were you concerned with the amount of workload that you would have from university and being the CEO of your own company? Honestly sometimes I’m at work and the amount of things I don’t know and still need to learn overwhelms me. I sometimes used to feel so intimidated by the people at work that I would go to the office and cry. I wouldn’t show them this, yet I’d talk to my dad about it and he always reassured me. I was the youngest one in the company! He always told me to stay strong and optimistic. Q. How do you manage time? For the first semester, the 8:30 classes saved my life! I was able to finish university and head to work early so I could have sufficient time at my work. Basically I would finish my classes, then work, then I would manage my social life and friends. I didn’t want my life to solely be from university to work and from work to university. I still wanted to enjoy going out with my friends. Now I’m even balancing between these three things and my fitness life. Q. What is your take about being your own boss and would you have rather started out as just an employee like everyone else? It has its pros and cons. One of the things that could be both a pro and a con is the fact that I work whenever I want. It could be an obvious advantage; however, some people view me as being spoiled. For people with me in the company who have been working from 8:30 am and they see me walk in at 2pm, sometimes I worry that they perceive me in that, “spoiled girl” way. However, a big pro is that I gained endless respect from people all around me. They look up to me even though I’m the youngest one. Due to their respect for what I do, they’re always coming up to me to teach me new things because they know this is something I feel very passionate about. All in all, I like being my own boss! Q. Were your parents fully on board with this idea of starting up your own business or where they concerned with how you would balance everything out? No one forced me into this. I chose this route. They supported me because they see no one my age stepping up like this. Sherien Shatta: AUC Student, Photographer & Entrepreneur at 18 HAYA EL ZAYAT PHOTOS COURTSEY OF SHERIEN SHATTA I don’t want to be in my late 20s or 30s still trying to balance having a family and just starting up my career. “ ” The Insider Student 10 INTERVIEW Newspaper 14.12.17 They take pride that their own daughter is doing this. Education wise, they were never really concerned. They never ask about my grades, or exams. I do everything on my own; I wake up, study and finish all my work. They know and understand that. They are sure that I take care of my own grades and education. Q. You went on an interview, with one of Egypt’s most famous TV figures, Sherif Madkour, on live TV. Can you tell me about this experience? As ironic as it sounds, a lot of people told me that I was very confident in the interview. Little did they know that I was crying one whole week before it. I was literally crying non-stop and I didn’t want to do it because I didn’t know what to talk about and I didn’t want to say the wrong thing or embarrass him or myself on air. It turned out really well because he made me feel like it was a friendly conversation. Everyone told me about the introduction he gave about me and how great it was (which I didn’t get to hear live because I was stuck in traffic). When I found out he did this, I was sure he would look out for me during the interview. Hence, I felt proud of myself and successful as I was going in which made everything much better. It was a great feeling! Q. Was photography the main drive for starting up your business? Firstly, my business sprang from two things: Photography and my Dad’s company. I wanted to be a daughter company to my dad’s major company. We utilize my dad’s factory, and I use it to produce finished products that I sell. My dad doesn’t produce finished products. He furnishes people’s apartments. Hence, people go and buy his fabrics in bulk. We didn’t have the chance to sell ready-finished products and this was my exact aim. At the beginning, I started with just two products which had digital prints on them. At first, I saw them printing very poor quality pictures that weren’t aesthetically pleasing at all. This really upset me. I mean, they could use any of my own photos and even if they wanted external sources they could’ve picked much better ones. So, I joined the business and I developed this area thoroughly with the image use of my own photography. It began with me printing some of my photos on simple things and giving it to my friends as gifts. All my friends loved them. I thought why not make “Sherry’s” a gift shop? But then I thought that a gift shop is very limited from the development lens. So, I decided to join my dad’s company. I became one of his distributors, and I distribute my own finished products (anything that could be printed on fabric); but under my own brand. So in conclusion I’m using my dad’s company and my talent in photography to create finished products. Q. Would you like to tell us where we could find all these amazing products to purchase? I am available in all my dad’s branches, officially two shops in Mohandesen and Obour City Mall. The Facebook page will have all the products and the numbers anyone will need! After finishing up the interview with Sherien, I felt rather inspired by her work ethic and motivation to do this. As she mentioned to me, she wasn’t forced into this and most people viewed it as something unnecessary or extra of her. However, she still gave it her all and treated it as if it was a priority. Sherien Shatta and others like her need to be supported for stepping outside of their comfort zone and the “spoilt-lazy” teenage stereotype. It began with me printing some of my photos on simple things and giving it to my friends. “ ” The Insider Student Newspaper 14.12.17 OPINION 11 As per Dr. Noha El Nahas, Senior Counselor in the Adjunct faculty of the Psychology department, women and men express their emotions differently. Naturally, since men and women are different in many aspects, they deal and adapt differently to their problems. Girls and women, regardless of the individual differences, “tend to internalize their problems,” said El Nahas. They tend to keep their emotions, especially when it involves weakness or vulnerability, to themselves. As per Dr. Noha, girls resort to crying when subjected to most life problems. As Dr. Noha El Nahas said, the stress heals considerably as the problem is washed away through crying it out; “they could even open up and talk with close people (friends, family members) they trust for help in any kind, whether offering a solution or merely seeking advice,” shared El Nahas. The complete opposite is the case for men because, “men externalize their problems by being aggressive in general, or direct their anger to the specific action of fighting with the ones that caused them the trouble. They could even resort to doing activities in order to vent their stress out, such as playing sports,” stated El Nahas. It was implied from the interview, that it is a rare occasion to have sight of a man or even a male teenager crying openly. It is an undeniable fact that culture plays a massively significant role in shaping everyone’s behavior. In this case, the Egyptian culture puts men under so much pressure to avoid expressing their emotions. Societal values embedded in families teach their boys to toughen up. By this, family and society reinforce the belief or the custom that men shouldn’t cry. Hence, most males develop the cognitive mental schema that crying or the show of and free-open emotional expression is a weakness, and that such emotional vulnerability is a side of their personality that no one should be allowed to see. Societal pressure normalized them to wear an unbreakable mask in public so as to not reflect what they really feel. What if they decide to break this mask and reflect themselves and their emotions as they are? They are often ridiculed by others, as it is socially unacceptable for a man to cry in public. As previously emphasized, the gender differences in emotional expression are deeply rooted and engraved in the society. The controversial debate is whether there is possibly a real solution that ensures, or at least empowers, honest emotional expression or is it a failed case, no matter how much awareness is raised. “Trying to change an entire culture, with its embedded and intensively/widely acknowledged cognitive schema and traditions going on for years and years, is extremely problematic and unrealistic,” said El Nahas. As per Dr. Noha El Nahas, “there is no such thing as an intensive or comprehensive awareness campaign for the entire culture to cause change overnight. However, there is still some light and hope, as gradual change could be eventually possible if it starts from each family’s own choice. Within one’s immediate family, the decision to raise children with the ability to express their emotions and reinforce them to acquire this emotional intelligence ability will allow for a more psychologically healthy society.” Gender Differences in Emotional Expression SAHAR A. FARID PHOTO VIA SHUTTERSTOCK “Culture plays a massively significant role. “ “Societal pressure. “ The Insider Student 12 STUDENT LIFE Newspaper 14.12.17 Ever wondered what makes you get up every morning excited to start working? Okay, maybe not every morning, but don’t we all have these days where we feel motivated to ‘better ourselves?’ What makes us have days of excitement and productiveness while other days seem to drag on? Making ART? “Personally, it’s art or anything I love in general. It always makes me want to experiment and challenge myself and gives me genuine joy when I accomplish something. I think that applies to everything people are passionate about in general- be it music or sports.” said Nada Mohamed, a sophomore at AUC. As you let your feelings out on paper, either by drawing, or writing, you rid yourself of all the toxins and negativity. This is how you feel ready and motivated to work and challenge yourself. Getting Rewarded? Merna Khalid, a Political Science sophomore said, “If I am going to get rewarded by something, such as money, I feel motivated to work more. After I am done, I will use this money to buy myself something that makes me happy or to do something that excites me.” Of course, getting something in return as a token of appreciation for your hard work and dedication is always something to cherish. On a side note, who doesn’t want to make money so they can pay for the things they always wanted to do? Maybe use it to travel? To buy that new X-box, or that Ellie Saab dress? Looking up to someone Having someone as an idol is very inducing. The feeling creates a guided route of action to our desired goal; a route that is somewhat guaranteed because someone has tried ahead of us and proved it to be worthwhile. Parents are the first human beings we idolize. Their actions, attitude and approach towards life are a fascination to us and we tend to inherit these qualities as we grow up. Thus, becoming like them often becomes an objective. For instance, Raghda Usama, a 27 year old CEO and owner of LimeBlend Branding Hub, said that she had always dreamt of owning her own business because she watched her mother become a successful businesswoman as she was growing up. She was fascinated by the idea of being independent, able to balance work and take care of her household. Thus, when Raghda became a mother, she decided to take up the challenge starting her own business. She is now very content about her career and personal life. Even though parents play a big role in shaping our personalities and our life choices, instructors can also be a source of inspiration. Professors, teachers, guidance counselors play a big role in carving our character. Mariam Montasser, a junior, at AUC was influenced by her English professor’s ability to help her students with passion because she was doing something she loves. As a result, Montasser became a high achieving student in most of her courses, developed the same approach to life and is working hard on achieving her dreams as well. Academic achievements Sometimes, cautionary tales make the best motivators. Nourhan Tarek, a freshman intending to major in Business, achieved getting an A in all of her courses in High School. She has witnessed the unfortunate event of her friend failing her classes in her last year of high school. Nourhan was determined not to go through the same experience and to put all her efforts into studying. This resulted in her biggest achievement yet. This achievement inspired her to continue this success streak during her college years especially right now to declare Business (we all know how much of a challenge that is nowadays!) Wanting to make Your parents and loved ones proud? You can’t deny that the feeling of wanting to make your family and loved ones proud of you is one of the biggest sources of inspiration. “They always encourage me to be the best and to believe that whenever I feel stuck in life and disappointed, there will be an open door to a better future no matter how hard the situation is right now,” said Mariam Montasser. Salma Hegazi, a third year medical student, says that having her family support her decisions and talk her through her ‘down moments’ always motivates her to look forward to the future with a brighter perspective. Trying New Things? We all have this desire to try new things. Esraa Sabry always wanted to workout regularly and live a healthy lifestyle. What inspired her was watching YouTube videos of people getting their whole lives transformed by working out and living a healthier lifestyle.Working out led to making new friends and to living a lifestyle she’s happier with. “I inspire myself. I believe that the motivation to become a better person comes from within” says Maram Adel, a freshmen intending to major in Psychology. There are a countless number of things that inspire us to become better people. Yet, at the end of the day, you have to be your own source of inspiration. Keep looking for that one thing that makes you feel inspired. What Inspires You To Be Better? MALAK USAMA SONDOS ALLAM --------- “They always encourage me to be the best. “ “I believe that the motivation to become a better person comes from within. “ PHOTO BY ABDELSALAM EL TAMAWY The Insider Student Newspaper 14.12.17 STUDENT LIFE 13 Engineering is known worldwide for its prestige, difficulty, and need for intelligence. In Egypt, Engineering is known for being the only acceptable career choice (other than Medicine or Dentistry, of course). There are lots of reasons why engineering is so popular, namely the status associated with it, the hefty paycheck that comes along every month, and for a few of them, the fact that you’re contributing to society in a pretty awesome sense - you’re building it. Literally. Engineering at AUC is arguably one of the toughest things to major in. A lot of people drop out, give up, starve, or fall asleep in a dark corner of the SSE building to be found by the security guard at 4 in the morning because they’ve been asleep for 18 hours and they were thought to be dead (only slightly exaggerated). Engineering students can most often be found either panicking in the library while trying to copy assignments, finishing submissions or sitting on the steps in front of the SSE building laughing hysterically five minutes before their midterm (which they have long since given up on). We interviewed some Engineering seniors to give you the most seasoned, tried and tested tips on how to survive, as well as the truth about what it’s like to spend five years studying engineering at AUC. Our seniors were first asked how they dealt with the stress. Shahd Sherif, a Computer Engineering Senior, says a good tip is to start everything before it starts getting crazy. “Don’t leave everything until the last minute. Nothing happens at the beginning of the semester, so get everything you can out of the way.” Omar Abdelsattar, also a Computer Engineering Senior, recommends avoiding cramming. “Start things early. Start a week ahead or else you’ll get zero sleep and screw everything up in the exam because you started memorizing 8 hours earlier.” Time management is one of the most important things for any major, but even more so for engineering. When you’re taking a particularly heavy semester, it’s totally possible for you to have three projects and two assignments due on the same day, as well as three midterms the day after. Having that amount of stress put on you raises the question of how Engineering majors deal with it. Abdelsattar finds that staying at university for long hours to try and finish projects is considered a must at some point. “Accept the inevitability that you’ll stay on campus beyond midnight sometimes. You might as well make the most of it and order food from cool places in Tagamoa to soothe you.” Projects are either an engineering student’s worst nightmare or easiest “A” grade. Who you pick for a group can either pass you or fail you. Sherif insists, “find a good group. Find a good group. This is the most important thing I can say. See who asks smart questions, find people who are serious, seek compatibility. Don’t be shy. These are your grades on the line.” One of the only things more stressful than the workload is the threat of graduating late. Because the majority of engineering courses have prerequisites, if you drop or retake a course or fail to register on time, you could fall behind. Also, the idea of staying at university for five years isn’t exactly appealing. This is what drives some engineering majors to overload. Samuel Ishak, a Senior Mechanical Engineering student, is taking 21 credits this semester. Our interview time was limited to the 15 minutes he could offer between when his 11:15 class ended and assembly. When asked about whether the stress was worth it, Ishak agreed easily. “Engineering has one of the highest workloads in the university. We do projects, submissions, midterms, finals, quizzes, and presentations. It’s worth it because you learn how to deal with stress and work under pressure. You get really good at problem solving. You learn how to work the system. You know how to deal with people and how to work your way around things”. The Complete Engineering Survival Guide LAILA ELBEHERI PHOTO VIA THE INTERNET The Insider Student 14 STUDENT LIFE Newspaper 14.12.17 One thing that can be noted is how the engineering students were skewed based on gender. Unsurprisingly, all the interviewees agreed that there were extremely few female engineering majors. Ishak claimed that there weren’t any at all in his mechanical engineering graduating year. I asked Sherif what it was like being a female engineering major .She opened up about how she felt her experience as a woman was different to others. “As a woman in engineering, it does depend on how you carry yourself to an extent, but be prepared for people to keep asking ‘howa enty fahma?’ and ‘mot2akeda en enty fahma?’ you will often be met with disbelief when you get the best grades in your class. Ishak also noticed many differences between men and women studying engineering, especially in the workforce. “There aren’t many women at all doing engineering. We usually only have a couple in every class, and sometimes companies prefer men especially when it comes to working in factories or doing field work. In some offices, there are only two women in the entire company. Some professors love the girls and prefer them, but because they’re so few, they usually suffer when it comes to projects and getting notes for exams. It depends on the doctor, one professor won’t let girls into his office. Some professors go much easier on them.” The engineering majors were asked to provide one piece of advice to newly declared engineering students or freshmen facing engineering for the first time. Ishak wisely reminded them to focus on their grades. “Study hard for your introductory courses, you’ll find that it’ll help you later on. It’ll be really hard the first year, but it gets easier if you’re focused in your classes. You’ll be fine. Take notes.” Shahd reminded people not to stress over graduation and on overloading by saying “don’t overload too often. If you really need to, try to put all your easy courses together and overload them. I did that and it was such an easy semester. If you’re good at something, like calculus and physics, put them together in one semester. Whatever you do, don’t overload an entire semester of engineering courses together.” Finally, Shahd reminded everyone not to stress over graduating late. “Why the hell does it matter if we graduate late? Take your time. It doesn’t matter. Work will be there whether you’re 22 or 23.” Why the hell does it matter if we graduate late? Take your time. It doesn’t matter. Work will be there whether you’re 22 or 23. “ ” PHOTO BY FARAH EMAD PHOTO BY DAREEN HUSSEIN The Insider Student Newspaper 14.12.17 INTERVIEW 15 Cairo was declared one of the most dangerous cities for women. We hear of different harassment cases around us everyday. Each case suffered in a different way. Women in Egypt fight a different battle everyday. Imagine not being able to leave your house at night out of fear of being harassed or being unsafe around other men. Imagine walking down the street and feeling terrified when you hear footsteps behind you. They might think that they don’t hurt us with their words and stares, but they often leave invisible scars. Yet, society taught us to shut up and to let our harasser go. They tell us that if you want to get married, you can’t cause a scandal like this. Two girls decided to show the world the ugly truth that was hidden for years. Nadine El Hadidy and Laila Attallah captured the struggles of women in a video and they are here to talk about it. Q. Tell me more about yourselves Nadine: I’m Nadine el Hadidy and we are sophomores. I am a double major in design and film. We really love arts! Laila: I’m Laila and I am a CMA major and film minor. I’ve always been into editing. Q. How did the video’s idea come up? Nadine: We found the MeToo campaign and we wanted to contribute to the campaign because we really care about women’s rights. We decided to contribute by making a film because that is what we do best. Laila: It is not just what we do, it is what we love doing.We used it to talk about something that matters. Q. What was your experience shooting the video? Laila: I want to clarify that the experience was much worse than what is showed on tape because it is very hard to capture everything that happens on the street, such as the catcalling. Nadine: The video didn’t have any sound except mine, but while we were filming we got catcalled a lot. Laila: It is kind of terrifying that you walk down the street in a very crowded area and you feel unsafe. Nadine: For Laila, it was the first time for her to focus on what is happening around her. I told her that this happens all the time. We were very scared that anyone might notice us filming. Hence, we used our phones, because if we hold cameras, guys would focus on the camera and they would be interested in why we are taking pictures. We wanted all the looks to be genuine harassment, not curiosity. Laila: Before we started shooting the video, I used to block everything. I used to not notice, to not get terrified. When I actually focused, I thought ‘oh my God’. What I have been blocking out is unbelievable and that was just catcalling. #METOO: “They are all victims. They all suffer in a different way.” SHAZA KHALED PHOTOS TAKEN FROM THE OFFICIAL VIDEO MADE BY NADINE ELHADIDY & LAILA ATTALLAH The Insider Student 16 INTERVIEW Newspaper 14.12.17 Q. Did you learn anything new or did you face anything that might change your lives forever? Nadine: I feel that we are more exposed. To an extent, we’re not like the rest of the population. We don’t go out everyday or ride a metro. We go to university and go back home. We are very sheltered. It was an eye opening experience. Laila: Because we actually worked on the problem, it is on the top of our heads now. We noticed that it is happening in our daily lives, in front of university or in front of Point 90. Sexual harassment is not just in urban areas, like downtown. It’s everywhere. It made us pay attention to what is happening everyday. Q. How did you feel when your video became popular? Nadine: We were surprised because we did not expect to reach all those people. We were really happy because our point was to reach out to girls and tell them that you are not alone; to stay strong. We’re glad we reached all those people. Q. What was your biggest fear before shooting the video? Nadine: Mainly, the harassment itself. We are not used to walking in the streets. So, we were scared that someone might see that we’re shooting and that we would end up in trouble. We passed by a lot of places that are full of police and we were scared that they might notice. Laila: You can’t shoot without a permit; one of the harassers may point it out or come and argue with us. Q. Have you passed through any situation that caused you to say #MeToo before the video? Nadine: Of course, any time we go out, we get sexually harassed. We face it all the time. I once got sexually harassed on campus. It is something we feel and live for a really long time no matter what we wear. Laila: We always need to think whether it is appropriate to go out wearing this thing or not. We think twice and ask each other what are we going to dress if we are going somewhere different. We always have to think whether a certain outfit will be ‘too revealing’ or not. Nadine: This shouldn’t be the case. Q. What is your advice for girls who watched your video? Nadine: Our advice is that you are not alone and don’t ever feel like it is your fault, because it is never your fault. Laila: When we posted the video we got a lot of comments. We want people to say what they feel and to think through this video. Make the video, shoot a film and stand up for yourself. Neither of us could imagine that we would reach so many people, and we did. Nadine: If you can do something small that can make a big change, then go for it. The experience was much worse than what is shown on tape. “ ” Sexual harassment is not just in urban areas, it’s everywhere. “ ” The Insider Student Newspaper 14.12.17 OPINION 17 One of the struggles we face today as millennials is the identity crisis. This is known to be one of the most prevailing issues young adults encounter. AUCians face difficulties with identifying their roles outside and inside the university campus. In a sense, AUC is like a ‘bubble’; it is a safe space for experimenting oneself. Whether positive or negative, students at AUC can generally agree that being in AUC gives us a different experience. Most of you have come across some judgemental contexts that evolve around the epitome of what an AUCian’s personality, lifestyle and mindset look like. These judgements include the idea of AUCians being filthy rich, spoiled students, ‘lucky’ Egyptians and even the very belief that most of them are celebrities. An exemplary example of such outrageous claims comprises an uber driver once mentioning that AUCians are, in his perspective, the “spoiled rich party elite kids” of our society, just as portrayed in the movie Saadi fil Gamaa Al Amrikiya. Numerous AUCians have experienced a feeling of shame for attending this university at some point. This is due to the stereotypes associated with being a student at AUC. Nadine Ahmed explains that her current friends did not want to engage with her at first because they assumed she was a “snob” due to her being an AUC student. Norhan Mohammed, a student studying marketing, stated that she, “feels anxious” when telling people she is an AUCian because they start to make “false assumptions” about who you are as a person. On the other hand, being in AUC has proven to be a secure safe space for numerous students to express their ‘unusual’ ideas (in terms of the Egyptian society), ways of being, and even their dressing styles. Being in AUC allows us to tackle many issues deeply ingrained and embedded in our Egyptian culture more freely and openly (as agreed by most students). Controversial topics such as westernization, female oppression, cultural crisis in a globalized world and the labyrinth of social class struggles can be tackled without reservation and distress. Andre Andrawes, an architecture major, believes that, “AUC is always a more open community.” Nadine, on the other hand, disagrees saying that AUC is not necessarily more open to deviant ways of thinking as, “there are a variety of people (with both conservative and contemporary ways of thinking) like in other places.” However, the majority agrees that on campus, they feel more open to discussing their opinions and showing their true colours. “There is always room for peaceful discussions despite having different perspectives, unlike outside, where you may be beaten for saying an opinion that differs from the generally accepted one,” according to Neveen El Mallah, a junior studying finance. AUC does, to an extent, allow the flourishing of contemporary unorthodox ideologies. This university is an entity all on its own, distinct and disconnected from the rest of Egypt. The AUC Bubble OLA KASSEM MALAK USAMA PHOTO BY HANA MOAMEN The Insider Student 18 Newspaper 14.12.17 Shaden Elsheikh, a newly ad-mitted freshman, has imme-diately noticed the difference of being in AUC. She believes that, “the community and atmosphere makes it easier for people to be themselves because, sadly, one of the bad habits most Egyptians have is that we usually tend to criti-cise what is different from our culture.” Elsheikh added on to say that the stereotypes she has encountered as an AUCian are that, “they [AUCians] know nothing. They’re na-ive or they live in a different Egypt.” The constant criti-cism along with the students’ “overall positive” experience at AUC is often what causes some students to feel the con-stant need to westernise and isolate from the rest of the Egyptian culture. This inter-nal struggle of being an AUC student versus being an Egyp-tian can often times results in an identity crisis . There are different opinions and views, but it all comes back to what AUC as an entity stands for. As a liberal arts education school, AUC’s main aim is to develop lead-er- like personalities among its student body. Students are encouraged to pursue most of their interests, whether it’s through their majors, minors, general electives, core cur-riculum and student-run clubs. Elsheikh stated that, “in just the three weeks, I’ve managed to learn different things-from the content of the courses that are related to my major or not related to my major, from the pro-fessors themselves, from their experiences, from their knowledge, from the people I’ve met in or out of clubs, their experiences, and all interactions in gener-al.” This diverse education ex-posure motivates students to unleash and discover their true identity and personality through the four of five years of college. “I like university. I think the professors are more passionate here. I do think people are not friendly and obviously it’s a certain class that comes here,” said Fatima ElDousoky, a junior studying Film and Political Science. While salma, an outsider attending El-Mansoura Uni-versity, stated that she believes that, “in every student body comes the good , the bad , the crazy and the different. This makes it wrong for people to put one educational entity in one specific category just because the fees are expensive for most locals.” The harsh exclusions of reality may also be counter-argued by considering the attempts of AUC, as an entity, to integrate itself within the larger Egyp-tian community. Examples of the such include students volunteering in charity orga-nizations or cross-university competitions in sports and conferences. This shows the rest of the nation that AUC students are not as unap-proachable as they think we are. AUCians are perceived as, the “spoiled rich party elite kids” of our society “ ” PHOTO BY YOUMNA RASHAD The Insider Student Newspaper 14.12.17 FEATURE 19 3alRaseef is a community development organisation that began at AUC in 2012. Its aim is to change the lives of street children by giving them a proper education and the life skills they need. Their main goal is to eliminate illiteracy in street children, as they believe proper education guarantees a prosperous life. We interviewed Hania Gazar, the Public Relations Head of 3alRaseef, to get the facts about what 3alRaseef really is and what they’re accomplishing. According to the PR Head, 3alRaseef ’s shining glory is the sessions they run. “Weekly academic and non-academic sessions are given to kids in Al Zelzal area. Academic sessions include subjects such as English, Arabic, and Math to compensate for school. Non-academic sessions include life skills, such as leadership and teamwork. These sessions are entirely given by students who volunteer for 3alRaseef ’s activities,” shared Gazar. The Sessions Entertainment head, Mai Algheity, gave The Insider AUC a brief description of those who attend the workshops and what happens. “In sessions, we are aware that every detail in the way we teach our curriculum, will leave an impact on the children somehow. Our members are constantly exploring interesting methods in teaching and preparing the right curriculum that will help the children develop intellectually, mentally and on a person level,” explained Algheity. She went on to explain what the sessions themselves entail. “Our subjects are academic, such as English, Arabic, Mathematics and sciences, as well as non-academic subjects like research and debate which are designated to allow the children to think critically and scientifically. We aspire to offer a curriculum that would allow the children to experience several topics that would help them in their personality development, social skills and achievement of future goals.” Farag went on to explain that, “the sessions team believe that our children are the future of tomorrow and we couldn’t be more honored to aid in their education experience.” One of 3alRaseef ’s most successful events this semester was the annual Children’s Day held on the Oct. 22, 2017 in the gardens area. “The theme for this year’s day was, ‘Passion, Exploration, Journey’. The kids were introduced to an array of diverse fields ranging from arts to science so that each child would have tried all the careers by the end of the day. This gives them the sense of real life and effective career planning,” explained Gazar. Although, stay tuned because, “that’s not it, we have a surprise coming up!” she said. Gazar was asked what the most important accomplishment they had made this semester was and what was in store for 3alRaseef. “We are expanding!” said Gazar excitedly. “We now have 3alRaseef in the British University in Egypt (BUE). We’re trying to expand to as many universities as possible all over Egypt. We’re hoping that this will be achieved by about 60 percent this year. Moreover, we now have soft skills sessions. We began trips for the kids this semester, which is another great accomplishment. We used to have a fun day where they just came to play, but they now learn things and participate in purposeful activities. It’s much more systematic and professional,” expressed Gazar. “Our main aim is promote the culture of giving among AUC students by making a difference in children’s lives. We look up to a new generation of educated children who would make Egypt a better place,” said Farah Kandil, 3alRaseef President. 3alRaseef: Drawing Smiles Every detail in the way we teach our curriculum, will leave an impact on the children somehow. “ ” LAILA ELBEHERI PHOTOS COURTESY OF 3ALRASEEF MEDIA TEAM The Insider Student 20 FEATURE Newspaper 14.12.17 In terms of dealing with children and educating them, “It’s not something that’s easy to accomplish. It’s not common to find in Egypt. This is what makes us unique, not just in AUC, but also in Egypt as a whole. We have an amazing purpose, and the consequences of what we do are life changing. We’re building entire generations of kids who are educated and who have sufficient life skills that they need. This makes us special and very effective in Egypt.” The most important thing about a community service club is the bond between the members and the desire to actually make a change in people’s lives. “What makes it a good club is our spirit. We have a very strong and unique spirit; It’s very uncommon to find, such cooperation, how much people love what they do and how they see their work paying off and changing lives,” Gazar claimed. “I think our cause makes people bond together and they feel like they’re really accomplishing something meaningful. Gazar explained that the most important thing is for members to attend more sessions. “We encourage members to go to sessions, but I think if by the end of this year, each member has attended a session at least once or twice, it would improve 3alRaseef greatly. Our aim is to develop our kids but also to develop our members to be future leaders.” The consequences of what we do are life changing. “ ” The Insider Student Newspaper 14.12.17 FEATURE 21 (Disclaimer: this article contains spoilers for the first season of Riverdale, and minor spoilers from the second season, up to the fourth episode: “The Town That Dreaded Sundown”) This article is about a town, or better yet, this article is about the story of a town, once wholesome and innocent, and, well, if you’re reading this, you probably know how this goes. But for those of you who don’t, Riverdale is an American TV series based on Archie comics, which premiered on January 2017. The characters however have certainly undergone a transformation on their trip from the pages of a comic book to the silver screen. Growing up, I remember poring over an issue of Betty and Veronica back when I was barely capable of comprehending English, only managing to read the word “ZAP” in a Sabrina the Teenage Witch story, and getting a Jughead issue for my tenth birthday. Upon hearing that it would be getting the live action treatment, I was both enthused, and amused. How would a series whose main character’s sole role is regularly ricocheting between two girls survive in the cutthroat world of American TV? In an age where people are growing more and more aware of social justice issues such as women’s rights, diversity and representation, they needed to be bold and take a leap of faith, in the hopes of finding the holy grail that would lead them to the precious ratings they covet, and they sure did. In the very first shot of the series, the camera pans to the town’s sign, ironically declaring Riverdale to be “the town with pep,” minutes before flashing to a grotesque sight: A pale and bloody corpse, washed up on the ranks of Sweetwater river, commencing the season-long mystery of the murder of Jason Blossom. Even before the title card rolled in for the very first time, the stark difference between the TV show and the comic books was made abundantly clear. In essence, Riverdale is about the loss of innocence, a fact which executive producer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa stressed on, while the media and the audience were wrapped up with finding the perpetrator of the Blossom murder. The series’ sophomore season, however, which premiered on the eleventh of October 2017, is so far doing a better job expressing that theme. Literally kicking things off with Archie drenched in his father’s blood, who had been shot in the final minutes of the first season’s finale. Up until this point, Archie had stuck out from the rest of the gang. While Jughead was facing homelessness, Betty was struggling with her mental health, and Veronica discovering that the father she once idolized was far from an upstanding citizen, Archie agonized over choosing between music and football; a dilemma that was previously exhausted back when High School Musical first came out. Nothing served to drive the producer’s message home, or steer the audience’s attention away from the whodunit element of the Jason Blossom mystery. Not incest (between first cousins, though), not the rivalry between the northside and the southside, and not even the scandalous act of a parent killing a child. Nothing but the sight of Riverdale’s golden boy, standing in the middle of a growing puddle of blood, his signature letterman jacket stained beyond recognition. As hinted on in the season 1 finale, tensions are growing high between the north side, whose picturesque façade was shattered with the revelations of underlying corruption, and the southside; the town’s less fortunate sector, overrun by gangs. Fanning the flames is none other than Riverdale’s very own serial killer, the Black Hood, whose string of violent attacks serves as the final nail in the coffin of Riverdale’s innocence. It is unclear what exactly made Riverdale strike gold with the audience. Be it the witty one liners, the delightfully over dramatic characters, or Cole Sprouse’s (of Suite Life fame) return to the silver screen as Jughead Jones, a brooding loner with a penchant for true crime. Maybe it was the splash of nostalgia, and the novelty of actions such as prim and proper Veronica Lodge breaking into a trailer searching for evidence. Here’s to hoping Riverdale survives the dreaded second season slump, capable of taking down the best of shows, and if the first four episodes are an indication, Riverdale might just make it out alive, although its citizens might not. Riverdale: On Milkshakes and Murder MARAM ZEITOUN PHOTO VIA PIXABAY The Insider Student 22 COVERAGE Newspaper 14.12.17 MCM Mawlana Screening PHOTOS BY ABDELSALAM TAMAWY The Insider Student Newspaper 14.12.17 COVERAGE 23 SU Packs Fiesta PHOTOS BY ABDELSALAM TAMAWY The Insider Student 24 FEATURE Newspaper 14.12.17 We often have those times when we feel down because we are stressed to the extent that we want to leave everything behind; just drop everything and run away. Midterms every two weeks, assignments every two days and quizzes every day! All these things can make you say “I wish I could drop out!” It’s not even just midterm season that make us go crazy and feel stressed as hell, but there are other reasons for why we lose our focus on the material we are studying or the courses we are taking. From these reasons, we can find “personal problems” interfering within our course of studying. As Mayo Clinic puts it, “depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. College depression isn’t a clinical diagnosis. Instead, college depression is depression that begins during college.” Depression makes us feel lost, tired, incapable of either thinking or even making the right decisions. We start experiencing insomnia, loss of appetite, tiredness, emptiness and hopelessness. We often go through cycles of anger, irritability and frustration over the tiniest and silliest things. Depression deprives us of such a huge amount of energy and instead fuels us with anxiety and restlessness. Having personal problems adds a lot of pressure to the existing ones that are initially invoked by our instructors and by the courses we are taking. Personal issues have such a negative impact on one’s performance, they can make one procrastinate on the job until it’s too late. Some students put off tasks such as doing assignments or studying for a test by doing something else in its place. They make excuses for not working. Delaying work and putting off tasks eventually results in ones’ possible failure. In the courses and, as a result, they feel depressed for their incapability of producing results. Despite the circumstance, one should not ‘give up’, ‘stop’ or ‘give in’ to whatever fight they are confronting. Here is what some students had to say about their own ways of confronting depression in the “study season”: Mohamed Abd-ElAziz, a sophomore Mechanical Engineering student, said, “there are so many techniques to dispose yourself of stress or depression. One of which is that, whenever you feel down, you can have a ten-minute walk down the street. Talking to a close friend of yours can also make things ease up a bit. At least you will feel that you’ve rid yourself of negative feelings or emotions by talking to someone about them, or about a certain problem you’re having. Additionally, you can do some workouts or exercises to loosen up a bit of all the stress you are facing.” Habiba Ali, a sophomore Psychology student, explained that most of the time when she experiences depression, it’s usually because of grades, midterms, and the tons of assignments she gets per week. However, to break away from stress mode, she makes time to hang out with her friends and spend quality time with the ones she loves being around. She adds on to say that managing time is one of the most effective ways to reduce stress. “Having a time schedule is very important and it helps a lot with accomplishing assignments. It even helps with scoring better grades on quizzes and midterms.” We’re all vulnerable to stress and can easily fall victims to depression. However, this is never the end. Depression is a war with many battles to fight. This war is yours. Hence, never give in to whatever struggle you are facing. There are many techniques that you can use in your fight with depression; one of which is to believe in yourself. Believing in oneself is the main key to success! Do not let midterms, quizzes, grades, or even the personal issues you might be having influence who you are and shake the belief in yourself. There is never a need to stress yourself out over the temporary problems of university. Depression during the Study Season at University: “I need a break” CHRISTINE R. MOUNIR PHOTO BY DAREEN HUSSEIN One of which is that, whenever you feel down, you can have a ten-minute walk down the street. “ ” The Insider Student Newspaper 14.12.17 LITERATURE 25 Suzanna Hanafy Book Corner 1984 by George Orwell 1984 is a mind-blowing piece of literature that warns future societies of the sadistic and abusive nature of authoritarian governments. The novel features a futuristic dystopian society set in Oceania 35 years into the future. It is set at an age where advanced technology was controlling people. Orwell exposes the ways in which manipulations of language and history could be mechanisms of control. The reader survives a tough battle against oppression through the protagonist’s journey (Winston Smith). Challenging the totalitarian government, Winston Smith kept a personal diary and pursued a relationship with Julia. The struggles he faces reflect the government’s suppression of individuality, sex, and free thought. 1984 is a must read thrilling novel. A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams A Streetcar Named Desire is a beautifully written play that has continued to have the same staggering effect on its audience as it first had in 1947. Blanche Dubois, the protagonist, comes to live with her sister, Stella, and her animalistic brother-in-law, Stanley Kowalski in their small one-bedroom apartment. Blanche mentions that she took a streetcar named desire and then one named cemetery to come here. Tennessee Williams chooses the title of the play to cunningly make the implication that desire leads to death. This exhilarating play tells the zealous story of the desperate, fragile, and suppressed Blanche Dubois. Conflicts arise between Blanche and Stanley as his raw, over empowering, savage, and sadistic nature becomes more and more discernable. (Spoiler Alert!) Stanley’s inability to control Blanche causes him to brutally and savagely rape her. Stella does not believe the rape story and is convinced that her sister is crazy. They end up forcefully sending her to a mental institution. This ironic and shocking ending is what makes this play such a classic. Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson This novel makes for very interesting commentary on the savage instincts of humanity. Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde is a classic novel that very well discusses the thin line that separates good and evil. Dr.Jekyll, a well presented and respected doctor, experiments with a drug that separates his personality into two, giving him the option to transform into the corrupt Mr.Hyde. Stevenson makes the link between civilization and savagery, as reflected in the characters of Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde. Soon enough, Dr.Jekyll begins to realize how hard it is to return back to being the good doctor he once was. The novel becomes even more thrilling and insightful when Dr.Jekyll recognizes that Mr Hyde might actually break free from his control, posing a threat for the citizens of London. The Insider Student 26 LITERATURE Newspaper 14.12.17 POETRY The Cairo Trilogy by Naguib Mahfouz The Cairo Trilogy written by Naguib Mahfouz is a magnificent and epic trilogy about colonial Egypt. More specifically, it zones in on the enthralling story of a Muslim family in Cairo at the time of the British occupation. The trilogy tracks three different generations of the family lead by the patriarchal al Sayyid Ahmad Abd Al Jawad. It consists of Palace Walk, Palace of Desire, and Sugar Street. Palace Walk introduces the reader to the family-- the patriarchal dictator al Sayyid Abd Al Jawad and his abused and suppressed wife, Amina and their five children. The second book, Palace of Desire, explores the political, social, and economic turmoil that was brought to Egypt at the times of the British occupation. Sugar Street is the most significant and influential, foreshadowing Cairo’s future. The patriarch watches one of his grandsons become a communist, while another becomes the lover of a politician and another becomes a Muslim fundamentalist. Reading the trilogy, one would find that the family’s sufferings and hard times are actually a symbolism of turbulent Cairo at the time. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde The Picture of Dorian Gray is a magnificent, bold and philosophical piece of work that revolves around the beautiful and “innocent” Dorian Gray. The novel starts off with Dorian complaining about his portrait, as it reflects too much of his inner personality. Discovering the power of his outer beauty, Dorian Gray becomes deeply buried into a luxurious life not limited to drugs, alcohol, and debauchery. Throughout the novel his good looks and unaffected age protect him, while the portrait locked in his attic is of a completely different person. لقيتك شايله همي زي ما تكوني أمي سامحيني أنت حبك بيجري يف دمي كانوا عاوزين يفرقوا بينا يا أم الدنيا لكن مستحيل أصدق منهم أي حاجة تانية والعشم كان موجود ملا غنّا لك منير وقالك إزاي تظلمينا وحبك جوانا كبير ياما حاولوا يفرقوا بينا كتير وعمرهم ما توفقوا علشان حبك يف قلبي كبير وترابك أنا بعشقه أنتِ الأمل يف عنيا والخير اللي جاي أنتِ يا مصر يف عنيا ومش هقولك تاني إزاي ويف آخر كلامي ببعت لك التحية وسلامي يابلدي ياللي عشت فيكي ذكرياتي وأيامي وأعدائك يا مصر هم أعدائي وعشانك يكتبوا يف بطاقتي الفدائي مهما وقعوا بينك وبيني مش هتكوني ليهم ضحية شايلك يا مصر دائما يف عيني واتأكدت من حبك ليا وحياة جدودي اللي اتسموا الفراعنة أنا وإنتِ يا مصر اتخدعنا وحياة العلم اللي اترفع يف سماكي عالي قالوا ثمنك أدفع، لكن حبك يف قلبي غالي قالوا إنهم باعوكي وإن أنتِ بيعاني لكن طلعتي زيي مجروحة وبتعاني حاولوا يفرقوا بينا الحرامية اللصوص أعدائك وأعدائي اللي نهبوا الفلوس حاولوا بظلمهم يكرهوني فيكي أنا قلت اتغيرتِ علي ودي حاجة مش فيكي زعلت وقتها منك بس ماكنتش مصدق سامحيني يا بلدي لقيت حبك لي مبدأ قالوا أن أنتِ بيعاني يا مصر يا عمري قالوا أن أنت بيعاني وماهمكيش أمري محمود حلاوة مهما وقعوا بينك وبيني PHOTOS BY YOUMNA RASHAD The Insider Student Newspaper ٦ رأي 14.12.17 نُحاول جمعه حتى نكتمِل؛ لأن قلوبنا أُجهَدَت مِن السيرِ حاملةً فتات؛ فُتات لا يَزِن شيئاً ولكنّه يشغل مساحةَ لا بأس بها داخلنا، لكنه مهما طال الوقت فهو فتات، لا يفعل شيئاً سوى املكوث مكانه. لذا، لا ينبغي أن نتوقع شيئاً مِن الغد؛ لا سعادةً ولا شقاء، لأنه حتماً سيُفاجئُنا. سنُفاجأ بالواقع إن توقعنا غدا مشرقا، لنجده واقع مؤلم يسلب مِنّا أحلامنا ويحطمنا. وسنُفاجأ أيضاً إن توقعناهُ مظلم، لنجده يهدينا ما لم نتوقعه مِن سعادة ويَهِبُنا روحنا التي سلبها اليأس. التوقع قد يكون مؤلم وعواقبه كثيرة، تكاد تكون لا تُتَمَل، تكاد تكون قاتلة. وقد يكون كمصباح النور يف وسطِ طريق مظلم، لينير لنا باقي الطريق ويُهدهِد روحنا. فالاكتفتاء والرضا هما الحلان ملواجهة ما هو قادم؛ الاكتفاء مِن التوقع والتنبؤ، والرضا بِا قسَمهُ اهل لنا أياً كانت عواقبه. كفانا ترقُّباً ورسم خِطط لا تضيف لنا شيء، كل ما تفعله هو سلب روحَنا وراحة بالِنا. كل ما علينا فِعله هو ترك أنفسنا للغد، أياً كان ما يحمله، ونُحاول بكل ما أوتينا مِن قوة مواجهته بشموخ. لَن نجعله يكسرنا ثانيةً، ولن نتوقّع منه جبرَنا.. نحن لا نعلمُ شيئاً، أبسطُ الأشياء التي يُخيّل إلينا أننا على كاملِ الدراية بها، هي يف الغالبِ ليستْ يف صورتها الكاملة، ليست سوى نِصف الحقيقة. نحن نجهلُ حتى خفايا أنفسنا، لا نعلم ما الذي يسعِدُنا حقاً وما الذي يُشقينا حدَّ البكاء. لا نعلمُ ما الأحلام التي ينبغي علينا حتقيقها وما التي لا بد علينا إلقاؤها خلفنا. قد نشعر أن طاقَتَنا على وشكِ النفاد ثُمَّ نُفاجأ بِها تُدّد دون علمنا، وقد نجد قوة حتمُّلنا تكاد تكون غير متواجدة ويُهييء إلينا أننا انتهينا، فنجد أنفُسنا بعد ذلك مازلنا نُحاول ونثابر، وكأنّ طاقَتُنا أيضاً تُشحَن و تُدَد رغماً عنّا. كلما توقعنا شيئاً نجد الواقع يضرِبَهُ عرض الحائط. كُلّما توقعنا أنَّ أمراً ما يسعدُنا، نراهُ يحدث أمامنا لنجد أنفُسنا غير عابئين به، كلما ظننا أن شغفنا مُوجّه نحو حلم ما، وجدناه ينحرف عن طريقهِ ليبحث عن حلم آخر.. نحن لا نعلم ما الذي يَحمِلَهُ الغد القاسي، لا نعلم إن كان سيسعدنا أم يشقينا، لا نعلم إن كُنا سنُمزَّق مرةً أُخرى أم لم يتبق شيء آخر فينا قابل للتمزيق، لم يتبق سوى فتات؛ فُتات نُحاوِلُ كل يومٍ جاهدين جمعه، التوقُع إيمان خَروشة PHOTO VIA PIXABAY The Insider Student رأي ٥ Newspaper 14.12.17 وخير دليل على هذا الأمر هو الأديب الراحل الدكتور طه حسين الذي جذب انتباه العالم بفكره وآرائه الفلسفية التي آثرت اللغة العربية والعقلية البشرية. فكان يجلس لساعات يتأمل يف الكون ويسعى إلى متييز الأصوات وغيرها وينتهي بهِ املطاف عند صورة من خياله يَظهر فيها الإبداع يف صغر سنه. ولا داعى أن يكون هناك حذر يف معاملة الكفيف والاحتياط حتى لا نشعره بالإشفاق والضعف ، فما لا يعرفه املبصر أن الكفيف غالباً يكون أكثر علماً وصاحب بصيرة أكثر من املبصر، كما أنه قد يكون صاحب مواهب مختلفة بل ويتقنها أيضاً، حيث يمكنه توقع أمور ومعرفتها باستخدام مشاعره لأن كل مبصر يعتمد على بصره فى تقييم الأمور واتخاذ القرارات. بينما الكفيف يستند إلى سمعه ومشاعره وعقله، فيبدأ الأمر بالسمع مرورا إلى قلبه وعقله فيدرك الوضع ويتخذ القرار. وهذه آلية واحدة، قد يكون هناك آليات أخرى تساعده، ولكن - كما نرى من وجهة نظرنا- هذا ما ينقص املبصرين؛ أن يضيفوا العقل إلى القلب والقلب إلى العقل حتى يحدث التوازن يف اتخاذ القرارات. إن عاهة العقل أعتى وأكثر ضررا من عاهة الجسد، والخطر كل الخطر أن يتعالى شخص على آخرٍ ملجرد حاسة. فرمبا يبصر أحدهم والعقل مُظلمٌ، يف ضلال. ورمبا تُغمض عينك وعقلك مُضيء فتنجو، وهذا ما يفرق بين مُبصر وكفيف، ومتعلم وجاهل، ولذلك يجب أن نطلق اسم الكفيف على الجاهل املتغطرس. فليس كل مبصر بصير وليس كل كفيف أعمى. هل حاول أحد منا أن يغمض عينيه للحظات دون أن يتحرك من مكانه أو يدخل إلى غرفة مظلمة ليس بها أية مصابيح؟! البعض سيصاب بالدوار، والبعض سيفتح عينه مبجرد إغماضها خوفاً من الاصطدام بشيء. فكونك مبصراً تتمتع بجمال الدنيا صعبٌ عليك أن تتحمل لحظة من اللحظات التي يقاوم فيها الكفيف جيشاً من الظلمات. فبينما املبصر يبصر الحقائق التي يراها دون شكوك، يجب أن يكون على يقين أن الكفيف يرى ويعلم ما لا يعلمه املبصر ويدرك خبايا تخفى على املبصرين. وما زاد على ذلك أن كل خطوة يتخذها الكفيف تبنى على حسابات سابقة وأعداد رقمية تنظم خطواته أكثر من املبصر الذي يمشي يف أغلب الأحيان بعشوائية ورمبا مترفعاً. بالإضافة إلى ذلك فإن الكفيف يمشي يف هدوء وسكينة لأنه إذا صادفته ضوضاء أو أصوات غير منتظمة، رمبا تضرب خطواته أو تشتت أفكاره، وهذا دليل على أن الكفيف يُعمِلُ عقله طوال الوقت ويفسر الكون وما يحيطه من مواقف، وهنا التفكير والتفسير يمثلان له زورق يسبح فيه يف الظلمة حتى يتأمل يف الكون ويرسم صورته الخاصة التي يرى بها الكون من منظوره الخاص دون إجباره على أن يرى منظومة واحدة غير قابلة للتغيير. الكفيف أبصرُنا سيف نظير PHOTO VIA AL AHRAM The Insider Student ٤ صور Newspaper 14.12.17 تصوير: بدور حافظ و نوران فتحي PAL’s لا تطفيء الشمس The Insider Student رأي ٣ Newspaper 14.12.17 يف مدرسة حب النبي محمد علاء يف حب الجماد والحيوان ضرب لنا سيدنا النبي املثل حينما احتضن جذع النخلة ليهدأ حينما تركه النبي ووقف على املنبر الذي صنعه له الصحابة. هذا النبي الذي أخبرنا أن هناك من سيدخل الجنة لأنه سقى كلب وهناك من ستدخل النار لأنها حبست قطة. فما حالك مع مخلوقات اهل؟ وُلد النبي -صلي اهلل عليه وسلم- وجاء إلى هذه الدنيا ومعه الحب. فأشرقت شمس الأنوار ومعها شمس الحب ليكون موعد ميلاد سيدنا محمد الأمين. مدرسة حب النبي مدرسة لم ينته أثرها بل إنها ممتدة مع ورثته -صلى اهلل عليه وسلم- من العلماء. فإنك لا تدرك املعنى الحقيقي لهذه املدرسة إلا يف مجالس العلماء العظام الذين يورثوا لك هذا الحب. مدرسة حب النبي التي تعلمت منها ألا أكره أحد حتى أعدائي. علمتني حب الوطن حتى لو كان قاسيا. علمتني الصبرعلى البلاء وعلمتني الأخلاق وعلمتني العلم. يف مولده الشريف -صلى اهل عليه و سلم- نتعلم معنى الرحمة والحرص "لَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُم بِالُْؤْمِنِيَن رَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ - سورة التوبة، الآية ١٢٨ ". نتعلم الأخلاق "إنما بعثت لأمتم مكارم الأخلاق". فلنمش على دربه؛ بحبه يف قلوبنا وأخلاقه يف معاملتنا. وأما عن الأعداء فلننظر إلى فتح مكة عندما عزل النبي أحد قواده فقط لأنه قال "اليوم يوم امللحمة" بل صحح النبي املفاهيم وقال "اليوم يوم املرحمة" ذلك اليوم الذي عاد فيه النبي منتصرا بعد أن طرد من بلده بل حينما وقف أمامهم وسألهم "ما تظنون أني فاعل بكم؟" فقال النبي كلمته الشهيرة "اذهبوا فأنتم الطلقاء" فعفا عن من قتلوا أصحابه وأقاربه، فما حالك مع من ظلموك عند املقدرة؟ وأما عن البلد، فلا يستطيع التاريخ أن يذكر رجلا أحب بلده مثل النبي. فهو الذي وقف أمام جبال مكة حزينا ليخاطب أحب البلاد إلى قلبه وقال "واهلل لولا أن أهلك قد أخرجوني منك ما خرجت" فكيف حالك مع بلدك اليوم؟ أحتبها وتبكي لفراقها حتى وإن قست عليك أم أنك تفرح لخرابها وخسارتها؟ حتى من اختلف يف العقيدة معه -صلي اهل عليه و سلم- وقف له عند مرور جنازته حتى يضرب لنا املثل أن هناك دائرتان يف الحياة. دائرة العقيدة ودائرة التعايش. فما حالك مع من اختلف معك يف العقيدة؟ ومدرسة حب النبي تبدأ من محطة سابقة ألا وهي محبة اهل لرسوله. يف هذه املحطة نستطيع أن نتعلم معنى الحب الحقيقي. فمن خلال هذا الحب نستطيع أن نتعلم كيف نحب من حولنا بل كيف نعبر عن هذا الحب بشكل صحيح. من مظاهر حب اهل لنبيه أنه قارن بين إحباط أعمال املسلمين مقابل فقط أن يرفعوا أصواتهم فوق صوت النبي محمد "يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَ تَرْفَعُوا أَصْوَاتَكُمْ فَوْقَ صَوْتِ النَّبِيِّ وَلَ تَْهَرُوا لَهُ بِالْقَوْلِ كَجَهْرِ بَعْضِكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ أَن تَْبَطَ أَعْمَالُكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لَ تَشْعُرُونَ - سورة ." الحجرات، الآية ٢ بل إن اهلل عز وجل كان يؤذيه انصراف الناس عن النبي من أجل التجارة فقال "وَإِذَا رَأَوْا تَِارَةً أَوْ لَهْوًا انفَضُّوا إِلَيْهَا وَتَرَكُوكَ قَائِمًا قُلْ مَا عِندَ الَِّل خَيْرٌ مِّنَ اللَّهْوِ وَمِنَ التِّجَارَةِ وَالَّلُ خَيْرُ الرَّازِقِيَن - سورة الجمعة، الآية ١١ ". ولم يقل اهلل "وتركوا الصلاة" لأن النبي ببساطة هو أحب مخلوقات اهل إليه. يتمنى الكثير من الناس أن يعيش معاني الحب يف حياته. وحلم من أحلام الكثير أن يعيش يف قصص حب مختلفة مع كل من حوله من أصدقاء وأقارب وأسرة. ولكن يف حقيقة الأمر كل هذه القصص تفتقد املعنى الحقيقي للحب. فاملعنى الحقيقي للحب لا يظهر إلا من خلال بوابة حب اهل وحب سيدنا النبي صلى اهل عليه وسلم. لقد ضرب النبي لنا املثل يف حب كل شيء مما حولنا. فإذا دققنا يف كل قصص الحب يف الدنيا وعبر التاريخ لم نجد أقوى وأجمل من قصة حب محمد وخديجة عليهما السلام. قصة الحب التي جعلت الزوج الحنون يف فتح مكة حينما سمع صوت صديقة خديجة، جلس ووضع لها عباءته وجلس يتذكر معها أيام خديجة فما حال حبك لزوجتك بعد الزواج؟ PHOTO VIA PIXABAY The Insider Student Newspaper ٢ الأدب 14.12.17 إيمان خروشة Book Corner صولو - نور عبد المجيد "جميع مَن أحببناهُم وأحبّونا إما أن نرحَل يوماً عنهم أو هُم عنّا حتماً يرحلون" أن تقرأ رواية لِتَجِد نفسك قابعاً تُشاهد شخصياتها يَعبرون أمامك واحداً تِلو الآخر، أن جتد نفسك مشدوها بَا يحدث، وكأنك واحد ضمنهم. كعادة نور عبد املجيد جتبرُ القارئ أن يخوض معها رحلة طويلة مليئة بالألم والبكاء والصدق والحكمة، ويا لها مِن رحلة. ألسنا نحيا بسبب مَن نُحِب وقد نعتزِل حياتنا بسببهم! حتكي عن العلاقات الإنسانية يف مُجتمعنا مُبختلف طبقاته، حتكي عن التعلُق والفُقدان وعن سجن أنفُسنا. كلٌ لهُ سِجنه الخاص وهو الذي وضع نفسه بِه. فهُناك مَن يتخلَص مِن سجنَهُ وهناك مَن يتعايش مَعهُ وكأنه جزءاً منه. هي رواية كُتِبَت بقلم مِن نور، مُتفردة مِن نوعها وتأسرك بسحرها ومعانيها. في قلبي أنثى عبرية - خولة حمدي "أخاف إن نَحن ذُقنا حياة الاستقرار والفراغ أن نفقِدُ هدفنا ونصبح أشخاصاً عاديين، أن نستسلم لنمط الحياة السهلة" أجمل ما وجدت هُنا هو تشابك الأحداث وبلاغة اللغة وترابط الشخصيات. هي رواية مِن أرض الواقع. كان من ضِمن الأفكار التي راودتني أثناء القراءة أن بالفعل يف وطننا العربي ومجتمعنا بالأخص، نجد بعض الناس أفعالهم لا متت لدينهم بصلة، مسلمين كانوا أو مسيحيّين، نجد املسلم مسلم بالوراثة واملسيحي مسيحي أيضاً بالوراثة. على عكس ما حدث يف الرواية، أبطال الرواية أسلموا عن اقتناع تام دون ضغط أو ما شابه. لِا لا نشعُر باللذة التي شعرت بها "ندى" مع بداية إسلامها؟ أنحن أيضا مسلمون بالوراثة؟ تركت تلك الرواية يف نفسي أثراً عميقاً تساؤلات لا حصر لها. قواعد العِشق الأربعون - إليف شافاق "لا حتاول أن تقاوم التغييرات التي تعترض سبيلك، بل دع الحياة تعيش فيك. ولا تقلق إذا قلبت حياتك رأساً على عقب. فكيف يُكنك أن تعرف أن الجانب الذي اعتدت عليه أفضل من الجانب الذي سيأتي" تستحق الرواية ما أحدثته مِن صخب خلال الفترة الأخيرة، بل تستحق أكثر مِن ذلك. لَم أقرأ عن الصوفية مِن قبل ولكن هذه الرواية جذبتني إلى ذلك الاجتاه. هي رواية تدور بين فترتين مِن الزمان؛ القرن الثالث عشر امليلادي، حيث توضح لنا شخصية "شمس التبريزي" ونمو علاقته مع "جلال الدين الرومي" يف أسلوب مُتع ورائع. والأخرى خلال عاميّ ٢٠٠٨ و ٢٠٠٩ حيثُ سيدة تُدعى "إيلا" تقرأُ رواية لشخص يُدعى "عزيز" وتدور روايته عن تلك الفترة الزمنية الأولى. تتكون الرواية مِن خمسة فصول؛ الأرض واملاء والريح والنار والعدم. هي رواية لا ينقصُها شيء، سيمِسُّك قلم الكاتبة، سيطال قلبك ويعتصره، ونحن لا نبحث عن أكثر مِن ذلك يف عالَمِ القراءة. سيقرأها كلٌ مَنا مِن منظورهِ الخاص وسيجد كلٌ مِنّا شيئاً مِنه هُنا. في مدرسة حب النبي تابعنا facebook.com/InsiderAUC insidermasr.com/auc الخميس ١٤ ديسمرب ٢٠١٧ جريدة مـسـتـقـلة يصدرها طلاب الجامعة الأمريكية بالقاهرة - أسسها شـاهير شـاهين العدد رقم 11 الكفيف أبصرُنا » p28 » p30 #القدس_عاصمة_فلسطين تصوير: دانيا عكاوي |
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