What am I really doing in Cairo?

I’m in Cairo to get my Master’s Degree. Insha'Allah (God willing), in 2-3 years, I’ll have a MA in International Human Rights Law with a diploma in Psycho-social Intervention of Forced Migration Studies…yea, yeah basically what all those pretentious academic titles mean is that I’ll better understand International Law systems, the wonders and loopholes of Human Rights and I’ll be able to better serve migrant groups who are being relocated to other countries. Or to break it down further, I’ll be reading about 40-60 hours a week, then writing papers!

On the side, at least for now, I’ve landed an internship at St. Andrew’s Refugee Center. Looking for volunteer opportunities in a random book about Cairo, the organization sounded interesting so I emailed the contact person and went to just see what services they offer and where I might fit in. The minute upon entering the agency gates, I felt very at home. It was great to see clusters of Sudanese, Somalis, and Ethiopians around the yard! I felt very at home with their huge white tooth smiles- tho I was once again the only white girl! Well, long story short, not long after I met the director of the agency, who very quickly inquired into my background and what made me move to Cairo, she asked me to be part of their legal team! Al-humdililah! I feel super lucky to be able to see and work with the ‘other side’ of the refugee journey. The agency I worked for in Chicago resettled refugees from all over the world and I was part of an amazing team of legal advocates that assisted these people with their immigration papers. Now, in Cairo, I’ll be assisting refugees- mostly Iraqis- apply for resettlement to the States. I’m very intrigued to see what issues arise on this side of the ocean/process, but more so, with contacts still in Chicago, I hope to be able to provide more information of the realities they will face in the U.S.

Then on top of that, the Director of my diploma program at AUC initiated a partnership between Unicef and St. Andrews to bring in a team of psycho-social specialists (basically psychologists/social workers trained in trauma issues and intervention for individuals from community based cultures. The US is very individualistic so specialists can assist at the individual level. Specialists who work with people who live in community based societies, or societies where family networks/reputations/etc take priority over the individual, need to consider not only the individual but where and how that individual fits into the bigger social picture.) So, not only will I be assisting with refugee applications to the UNHCR but as the program w/ Unicef develops I’ll be interning for both of my programs at the same time! Al-humdililah!

So, school is 40-60 hours a week, internship 20 hours requirement (but social services always demand more!)… I hope I will know someone who wins the lottery and is willing to share with me otherwise a part time job is really going to overload my week!