Powered by
Egypt
Like the nation itself, Egypt has a long history of education dating back to the Ancient Greeks who built the Great Library in Alexandria and early Christian and Islamic thinkers. Egypt today, having undergone a revolution in 2011, remains at the heart of Arab and Muslim world – with... read more
Like the nation itself, Egypt has a long history of education dating back to the Ancient Greeks who built the Great Library in Alexandria and early Christian and Islamic thinkers. Egypt today, having undergone a revolution in 2011, remains at the heart of Arab and Muslim world – with the largest education system in the Middle East. A majority Muslim country, roughly 10% of Egyptians are also part of a Coptic Christian minority. Arabic is the official language. Home to many important medieval thinkers, in later periods a majority of the lessons were decided by the Ulama and the Clergy which emphasized theological and religious teachings before the 19th century and a more Westernized secular curriculum. Although Al-Azhar University (the oldest in Egypt) was founded in 975, it was not until 1908 that the modern Cairo University was founded, and most of the 33 universities in Egypt are new – having been founded in the 20th and 21st centuries. In 2010, Alexandria University was included in the top 200 THE World University Rankings. A few of the other prominent universities include the American University in Cairo, the German University in Cairo, Alexandria University, and the Higher Technological Institute. Although The Economist magazine called Egypt's higher education system “abysmal” in 2009, much of the benefit from studying in Egypt stems from its unique place at the heart of the Arab and Muslim cultural, religious and intellectual world.
Two study abroad students who took programs in Egypt describe their experience, “Alexandria, is great to study Arabic as there are not many expats living there.” And another commented, “Living situation [in Egypt] was horrendous.” “The other Egyptian students are extraordinarily friendly,” wrote on student from the American University in Cairo, Egypt. “A semester that changed my life,” reviews a student on Islam and World Affairs program. “Being exposed to Egypt was a much better experience,” one study abroader sums up his stay.
Study programs in Egypt feature cities such as Cairo, Alexandria, and Giza. Popular programs in Egypt include the American University in Cairo and Middlebury in Alexandria. read less