The Journey Here
From Cairo, Egypt, to St. Louis, Missouri, international student Khadija Moustafa came to the US to pursue a degree and continue her athletics at Maryville University. Despite a few changes in her plan here, she’s made the most of it. During our conversation, I learned about her experiences coming to the US and the cultural differences between here and Egypt. Here are three big takeaways I learned from our conversation:
1. Sports are not the same in other countries as they are in the US.
A common topic in the interviews I have had with international students has been an emphasis on athletics. In many countries, the system makes it seem like athletics and education don’t exist. In Egypt’s case, sports existed more outside of the education system, on your own time, in a club, not something associated with the university. They are seen more as an activity rather than a sport.
Moustafa came here to pursue athletics while getting her degree in sports business. Back in Egypt, she swam professionally and wanted to continue her career in the United States, where athletics were a part of the school system. Moustafa was accepted into Maryville for swim, but the program was later cut after her freshman year.
“It wasn’t something I could have done. So I kept saying maybe that’s just a door that was shut for me, so another one could open.”
It was a rocky start to her college experience, but I really valued her outlook on the hard situation. She stayed for Maryville’s Rawlings Sports Business program and became an RA for Maryville’s Saints dorm. It may not have been what she had planned for, but she had a positive outlook on her new future.
2. Egyptian culture is a laid-back culture.
Contrary to the Americans’ “faster-paced” society, Egypt values a “take your time” way of doing things. A big example of this is a restaurant. Dining out in Egypt is a full outing that can last 3 to 4 hours; it’s a whole experience rather than a 20- to 30-minute meal. Although the American experience can be nice when you are looking for a quick meal, it’s nice to be able to have a sit-down experience without the need to rush.
“It’s not about the food; it’s about the people, the actual outing, and the vibe of it. So, most of our outings are like this,” Moustafa said. “If you are going to get coffee, it’s not drive-through; you go and sit in the sun, even if it’s for an hour and a half, it is still something that takes time out of your day.”
Another concept around their laid-back culture is how they spend their evenings. Egypt isn’t a “party country” but is still a “night owl” country. Where you typically won’t see anywhere open very late in the evenings in America, in Egypt it’s normal to see people out and about at 3 oclock in the morning chatting at a cafe, playing board games, or just hanging out.
“We get very lively at night,” said Moustafa. “I feel like we have later mornings, but when it comes to nighttime, everyone is lively, everyone is out and about.”
Moustafa and friends enjoying a night out on Egypts’s North Coast. Photo Courtesy of Khadija Moustafa.
3. Judgment-free experience
A highlight of the US was how nice it felt to wear whatever you wanted. In Egypt, people tend to value what was popular at the time. If something new dropped and was booming in the US, people felt they needed it. That was just not something Moustafa cared about; she liked being able to wear whatever she wanted without the pressure.
“That was also one of the key factors. I [didn’t] want to be under pressure of always having to look a certain way to be accepted in society or to be accepted into what society accepts,” Moustafa said. “I chose the US because of how freeing it is.”
There is nothing wrong with wanting to look a certain way or to have something new, but sometimes the pressure to fit in can become overwhelming. Being in a different environment where that isn’t something people tend to focus on can be relaxing, especially if that is how you feel, too.
Understanding Cultural Differences
Understanding the international student experience goes far beyond recognizing a language barrier. They come from different backgrounds, we celebrate different holidays, and have different traditions. There is much more to learn about international students than we consider, and it’s important to take the time to do so. For those considering traveling abroad and might face these very challenges, I asked Moustafa for any advice,
Moustafa and friends at Maryville University “Welcome” day. Photo Courtesy of Khadija Moustafa.
“It’s very hard. You gotta have your ups and downs, that’s any international student,” said Moustafa. “I think everyone faces them. We just face them on a different level because you’re dealing with school, but everything else on top of it.”
Despite the weight of the challenges, she emphasizes not only pushing past them but facing them head-on. It’s a key to overcoming the discomfort of the unknown and is a huge opportunity for personal growth.
“I think that’s the best way to actually get past them is not ignoring them, but actually just living through it. Take in the experiences. I definitely think it’s a very eye-opening and growth experience for all international students.”
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