<p>I have a friend whose son just arrived last week to study - I believe they are evacuating the students today.</p>
<p>My daughter’s college newspaper says that they had 6 students studying at AUC, all were evacuated to Turkey. They will be studying in Tel Aviv this semester instead.</p>
<p>S’s college had 2 students at AUC, the college made arrangements for them to fly out but at least one of the kids didn’t want to leave! He’s majoring in International Affairs with a focus on the Middle East and wanted a front row to history. His parents were supporting him, but the college insisted he leave, revoked his approval to study abroad, and got him signed up for spring term classes on campus. So he’s coming home, but as of Wednesday they hadn’t gotten out yet. I think this young man was a bit naive, insisting the kids were safe and had plenty of security, and that reports of violence and chaos were overblown. But that was before today’s reports of foreigners and journalists being attacked.</p>
<p>I live there now (and I’m Egyptian). There really isn’t anything to worry about now. The worst has come and passed, and today is purportedly the last day of protests. The reason they decided to evacuate foreigners was because the police turned on everyone and decided to let criminals loose (almost every major prison in Egypt was opened). I’m almost 100% sure that things are going to go back to normal after this weekend. Again, there’s nothing to worry about. :D</p>
<p>The return of the internet - It was good seeing Egyptian friends back on facebook, knowing they are okay.</p>
<p>I know I would not want to be there right now and I certainly would not want my son there. Anarchy might be good for the history books but not the place to be as an uninvolved visitor.</p>
<p>lol I promise you it isn’t that bad anymore. It was a pretty rough week, so everything that’s happening now is not as serious as CNN and BBC make it seem. Feel free to ask me any questions pertaining to the current/past/future situation; I would be more than happy to provide insight. I was at ‘Liberation Square’ all of yesterday and the day before, until my friends and I were attacked. I’m currently watching the news, waiting for the protesters to do what I’ve been dreading for the past ten days, march onto the presidential palace. If that does happen, the president’s personal guard-estimated at 10-40,000 soldiers- will fire at will.</p>
<p>Stay safe Lobzz! I love Egypt and it’s people - and I want to see a positive, peaceful outcome to all this.</p>
<p>Definitely, Grcxx3. Today is supposedly the final “show-down”. I hope everyone makes it out okay, and the pandemonium is brought to an end. I will check-in with everyone later today to let you guys know exactly how it went… or you could watch the news.</p>
<p>Also, they’ve been arresting many of the corrupt figures associated with the former government; people who were perceived to be untouchable :D</p>
<p>Here’s the U Chicago story in detail:
[Egypt</a> evacuation encounters troubles with travel,security - The Chicago Maroon](<a href=“Scalzi: From the U of C to a galaxy far, far away – Chicago Maroon”>Scalzi: From the U of C to a galaxy far, far away – Chicago Maroon)</p>
<p>That’s an amazing story from U. Chicago – thanks very much for posting the link.</p>
<p>Now I’m wondering what we ought to be planning for our D’s internship – probably in Africa – since it won’t be through a university and won’t have that kind of support.</p>
<p>Seashore, thank you for posting. U Chicago clearly was on top of the situation. I hope everyone with kids in Egypt are able to make it out safely.</p>
<p>A local boy who was studying at the American U in Cairo spent the last 5 days trying to get out of Egypt. The local paper kept us updated on his posts to his mom…how they went from terminal to terminal via buses, following rumors of planes leaving. </p>
<p>He finally made it to Chicago and then was delayed another day in getting to Cincinnati. Weather, I think!</p>
<p>Seashore, thanks for the link. British Air is giving S1’s group a hard time about refunding tickets for the Sharm trip. This may prove useful!</p>
<p>Good, CountingDown. We mom’s have our ways.</p>
<p>My son wants to study Arabic this summer in the Middle East and we hope that by the time June rolls around things will be settled, but he has to pick the program now! Ack. He thinks Cairo is too touristy and wants to go somewhere where less English is spoken.</p>
<p>mathmom - what are his options?</p>
<p>Have him look at Amman. I believe there are programs in Alexandria, Cairo, Amman, and somewhere in Morocco, but in Morocco he would learn the dialect specific to Morocco. Less useful, I think.</p>
<p>Amman is what I was thinking. Western, but not as much as Cairo.</p>
<p>An Israeli friend of my parents recommended it as the best location for my kid. (We’re still a few years away…she is a high school senior.) He characterized it as “boring, but safe” and said there wouldn’t be much to do there but talk to people in Arabic.</p>
<p>He thought Morroco dialect less useful. He’s applying to a program in Jordan - it has homestays which appeals to him. A cousin of mine says if you really want “No English” go to Syria, but I don’t know of any programs there. 
Hopefully Jordan will stay calm.</p>