Upper School Students Visit the Egyptian Embassy's Cultural & Educational Bureau

From Xavier Bourcicot '27: On Friday, April 17, I went to the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt – Cultural & Educational Bureau with a group of 11 other students. The Bureau, run by the Egyptian government, is set in a charming, mansion-like building featuring beautiful classical architecture. The Bureau’s team generously welcomed us with treats from Egypt, including chocolates, Kakh El-Eid, and tasty hibiscus tea. The Cultural Attaché and Director of the Bureau, Professor Nermine A. Sabry, introduced many of us to Egypt’s geography, demographic trends, and the country’s rich archaeological history. Sabry enthusiastically answered all of our many questions, and kept us engaged with creative activities.

Professor Sabry also addressed misconceptions about Egypt, telling us about the progression of women's rights in her country and how the media’s portrayal of Egypt is usually quite limited to the pyramids and mummies, while ignoring real social issues. She also highlighted that conceptions of Egypt’s religious landscape are often oversimplified, and explained how the Muslim majority coexists peacefully with the Coptic Christian minority.

I learned so many new things from this field trip, including the fact that the Mediterranean Sea flooded Egypt thousands of years ago, creating a home for a now-extinct whale species and that much of the Sahara Desert used to be home to many neolithic peoples.

After leaving the embassy, we took a group picture with Dr. Sabry and headed off to lunch. Overall, this was a really amazing experience, and I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to attend this excursion.