Presentation to CU meeting on March 8, 2007 by Neama Mohamed "Azza" Eriby about her emigration from Egypt, and by Rev. Scott Hill on his recent trip with "Hands Across the Nile"
Question: Alexandria is -
a. a city in Egypt
b. a city in Greece
c. an ancient ruin on Cyprus
Bonus Question – What is Omm'Ali?
Her baby was six months old when Neama Mohamed "Azza" Eriby and her husband began the process to emigrate from Egypt to the US. The "baby" was in 8th grade by the time their immigration request was approved! Nonetheless, besides aging 11 years and missing those opportunities to get a US job and improve their language, Mrs. Eriby does not regret then having to quickly leave everything and emigrate. She spent those years of waiting in Egypt by completing her undergraduate degree. Then while her daughter was in elementary school, Mrs. Eriby completed her master’s degree with high marks, specializing in accounting and computers.
Warned by her husband's brother, a pediatrician in the US, that the immigration process could take a long time and they should "keep on going with life," they worked together on her husband’s construction business in Egypt. The high taxes made its success impossible and he then started a business in Saudi Arabia for two years. When Mrs. Eriby finally came to the US, she waited only three days to start work at Goodwill Industries. Noting that as a Muslim she cannot work around the forbidden substances of pork and alcohol, she "loves" working at Goodwill where she can also help people. She recognizes how difficult it is to get a promotion because employees often resent a supervisor whose English is not native and whose culture is different from their own. "I don't complain or get upset," she said. She now works many hours as the assistant manager of a large Goodwill store and "I use easy English words just to help people understand me!"
As for speaking English, Mrs. Eriby had studied "British English" since 7th grade, as do most Egyptian children. She said that many women have high degrees and government jobs, because they have been the best students. "Boys can go outside more and girls stay home and study!" As the only daughter among four brothers, she should know. She grew up in the "very beautiful" Mediterranean port city of Alexandria. Three brothers remain in Egypt, including a Navy colonel and an engineer. A fourth brother has lived in California for 23 years.
The relationship between Egyptians and Americans continued as the focus of Rev. Scott Hill's most recent visit to Egypt. Three years ago he applied for a fellowship with Hands Along the Nile Developmental Services (HANDS), based in Washington, DC, to explore an Egypt-U.S. dialogue. Since Egypt is a key, influential country in Arab and international spheres, the hope was to get people involved who could spread the word throughout their communities and establish professional connections. In the exploratory phase three years ago, Rev. Hill was chosen as one of three Americans. Last February in Washington, there were about a dozen meeting with Egyptian counterparts. Then this February, nine Americans met with about 25 Egyptians in Alexandria, Mrs. Eriby's home city.
Hill described a high level of trust and depth of content level as they began by focusing on Jimmy Carter's book Palestine Peace Not Apartheid, which also talked about the importance of not only official diplomats, but person-to-person dialog. While discussing the Camp David accords, the group also described their views of each other. Americans tended to describe Egyptians with words such as gratitude, warm people, smiles, diverse and Omm'Ali (a sweet dessert!) Egyptians described America in sometimes contradictory phrases – friendly, arrogant, aggressive power, "the good, bad and ugly!"
When asked what changes he had seen in this most recent visit, going back to when he lived in Egypt in 1982-85, Scott Hill said he saw more jeans; tea and coffee now served in mugs rather than small glasses; and less distinction between the American government and the American people. "They seem now to be used to being mad about the Iraq war and now are grieving that the US isn't going to be a neutral force again." Seeking more permanent funding, HANDS hopes next to bring Egyptians into typical American communities, such as Corydon, Indiana.
Answer: a. Alexandria is a city in Egypt that is a port on the Mediterranean Sea. It was established by Alexander the Great around 300 BCE and was known in ancient times for its great library, its huge lighthouse and its advanced culture.
Bonus Question Answer: Omm'Ali is a traditional Egyptian dessert – a warm corn pastry pudding, with nuts & raisins
Question: Alexandria is -
a. a city in Egypt
b. a city in Greece
c. an ancient ruin on Cyprus
Bonus Question – What is Omm'Ali?
Her baby was six months old when Neama Mohamed "Azza" Eriby and her husband began the process to emigrate from Egypt to the US. The "baby" was in 8th grade by the time their immigration request was approved! Nonetheless, besides aging 11 years and missing those opportunities to get a US job and improve their language, Mrs. Eriby does not regret then having to quickly leave everything and emigrate. She spent those years of waiting in Egypt by completing her undergraduate degree. Then while her daughter was in elementary school, Mrs. Eriby completed her master’s degree with high marks, specializing in accounting and computers.
Warned by her husband's brother, a pediatrician in the US, that the immigration process could take a long time and they should "keep on going with life," they worked together on her husband’s construction business in Egypt. The high taxes made its success impossible and he then started a business in Saudi Arabia for two years. When Mrs. Eriby finally came to the US, she waited only three days to start work at Goodwill Industries. Noting that as a Muslim she cannot work around the forbidden substances of pork and alcohol, she "loves" working at Goodwill where she can also help people. She recognizes how difficult it is to get a promotion because employees often resent a supervisor whose English is not native and whose culture is different from their own. "I don't complain or get upset," she said. She now works many hours as the assistant manager of a large Goodwill store and "I use easy English words just to help people understand me!"
As for speaking English, Mrs. Eriby had studied "British English" since 7th grade, as do most Egyptian children. She said that many women have high degrees and government jobs, because they have been the best students. "Boys can go outside more and girls stay home and study!" As the only daughter among four brothers, she should know. She grew up in the "very beautiful" Mediterranean port city of Alexandria. Three brothers remain in Egypt, including a Navy colonel and an engineer. A fourth brother has lived in California for 23 years.
The relationship between Egyptians and Americans continued as the focus of Rev. Scott Hill's most recent visit to Egypt. Three years ago he applied for a fellowship with Hands Along the Nile Developmental Services (HANDS), based in Washington, DC, to explore an Egypt-U.S. dialogue. Since Egypt is a key, influential country in Arab and international spheres, the hope was to get people involved who could spread the word throughout their communities and establish professional connections. In the exploratory phase three years ago, Rev. Hill was chosen as one of three Americans. Last February in Washington, there were about a dozen meeting with Egyptian counterparts. Then this February, nine Americans met with about 25 Egyptians in Alexandria, Mrs. Eriby's home city.
Hill described a high level of trust and depth of content level as they began by focusing on Jimmy Carter's book Palestine Peace Not Apartheid, which also talked about the importance of not only official diplomats, but person-to-person dialog. While discussing the Camp David accords, the group also described their views of each other. Americans tended to describe Egyptians with words such as gratitude, warm people, smiles, diverse and Omm'Ali (a sweet dessert!) Egyptians described America in sometimes contradictory phrases – friendly, arrogant, aggressive power, "the good, bad and ugly!"
When asked what changes he had seen in this most recent visit, going back to when he lived in Egypt in 1982-85, Scott Hill said he saw more jeans; tea and coffee now served in mugs rather than small glasses; and less distinction between the American government and the American people. "They seem now to be used to being mad about the Iraq war and now are grieving that the US isn't going to be a neutral force again." Seeking more permanent funding, HANDS hopes next to bring Egyptians into typical American communities, such as Corydon, Indiana.
Answer: a. Alexandria is a city in Egypt that is a port on the Mediterranean Sea. It was established by Alexander the Great around 300 BCE and was known in ancient times for its great library, its huge lighthouse and its advanced culture.
Bonus Question Answer: Omm'Ali is a traditional Egyptian dessert – a warm corn pastry pudding, with nuts & raisins