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Pyramids, camels are part of cultural experience
(by Sue Hoffman - May 13, 2009)
Pyramids, camels are part of cultural experience
By SUE HOFFMAN
Born and raised in Cairo, Egypt, Fadia Hamid, a veteran French and Arabic teacher at Chagrin Falls High School, has returned to her homeland to visit her family many times over the years. She also has shared her language and culture in the classroom.
During her most recent trip over spring break, she was able to share her culture firsthand. Mrs. Hamid and 13 of her Arabic students, along with three staff members and one parent, spent eight full days in Egypt. They visited and dined with Mrs. Hamid's brother in the house where she grew up, toured Cairo, visited the vast library in Alexandria, saw the pyramids, rode camels in the desert and snorkeled in the Red Sea.
"I had contemplated the idea over several years," said Mrs. Hamid, whose classroom now displays numerous photos from the trip. "We're offering Arabic now, and Egypt is the perfect place to visit." She asked her students, she said, and "I could see there was interest."
School Superintendent Stephen Thompson encouraged her to plan the trip, said Mrs. Hamid, who taught Arabic at the middle school for four years during the 1990s and is now in her fourth year of teaching the language at the high school. "He thought, 'Why not?'"
"It was a very unique experience," Mr. Thompson said, and he hopes to offer more travel opportunities in the United States and abroad for students. Last week he was in Chicago, where he was building partnerships with schools in that city. He said he's planning two-week student exchanges with schools in Chicago, Beijing, China, and South Africa. This summer, he will travel to Beijing with a grant from the College Board, and the following summer, he will travel to South Africa, he said. Short exchanges for teachers also may be a possibility, he said.
Mrs. Hamid said the students are still talking about the trip to Egypt.
"We discussed the culture in class," said Sarah Ross, a junior and French 4 student who is studying Arabic 1 with Mrs. Hamid. But it was even more meaningful "to talk with actual Egyptians and see the pyramids. I love Arabic and want to take it in college."
Sarah said one of the most memorable parts of the trip was outside the Mohammed Ali mosque, where she saw many schoolchildren. "I met one girl, and we talked. She gave me a necklace with one half of a prayer, and she has the other half. Everyone was so friendly and wanted to engage in conversation.
The camels were another highlight. "We rode camels in Cairo before seeing the pyramids and in Sharm, we rode camels to the Bedouin tent in the Sinai dessert," Sarah said.
In the tent at Sharm El Sheikh, the students were treated to a show, dancing and dinner.
Sarah said riding the camels was comfortable but a new experience. "Getting up, the camel throws you forward, then back," she said.
"The camels are my new favorite animal," said junior Caroline Smith. "I loved riding the camel around the pyramid and to the tent."
Thomas Quenouille, a sophomore who came with his family from France for a two-year stay in the United States, was another traveler on the trip. Now studying Spanish 3 and Arabic, as well as French, Thomas said he wanted to see Egypt, "because I heard a lot of nice things about its history and culture. It was my first time in Africa." Taken by the kindness of the people, he said he'd love to go back.
"I wanted to see the cultural aspect first hand," said Leann Sallach, a senior studying Arabic 3, Advanced Placement Spanish and Chinese. The trip "really helped me make up my mind," she said, about majoring in Arabic in college. "I'd like to go back and maybe teach English."
"I was excited to be around the language 24-7," said Maggie Clegg, a junior. She noted some cultural differences in the country, such as the veils worn by many women. She said she saw two young women who were friends, one in modern clothes and one completely covered.
Mrs. Hamid said she encouraged the students to try all the different foods.
Sarah said she enjoyed tameya, a spicy version of falafel, and feeter, which is pastry with honey or molasses, as well as the pita bread.
Caroline said she liked the fish, "which is served with the eyes and bones. Once you get past it, it's really good."
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