The real world…..
It has now been 2 years since I finished university, and 6months since I left the student life – that is AIESEC and came into, what people call the real world. These past 6months did not seem like the 'real world' to me, cause I was always in contact with students, going out with AIESECers and young people, until last weekend.
Last weekend some selected teachers at the center attended an EgypTesol seminar (TESOL – Teachers of English to Students of Other Languages). Namely it was Amira (Egyptian - head of department), Dina (Egyptian English teacher), Maria (American English Teacher), Shaimaa (Egyptian English teacher), Mr. Demetre (Greek English Teacher and the eldest), and me. Accompanying us there was also Dr Ahmed (Boss and owner), Hebba (General Manager), Ahmed (Finance) and Essam (Technician and head of testing department). Quite a combination of people I must say.
The conference was held in Cairo, at the Sheraton Towers in Giza, one of the classiest hotels in Cairo.
Cairo
The view of Cairo from the roof of the Sheraton
The conference was definitely quite different from the conferences I have been too, which were mainly scouting or AIESEC conferences. There was no dancing in the morning plenary; there were no roll calls (thank God!!!). Everything was sooo very serious!!! – I guess this is what they mean by the real world. Nonetheless it was great fun!!! I was amazed by the way they take English teaching so seriously. It was not only about techniques of teaching etc., but it was also about
- how people learn,
- how to train
- how to teach social responsibility to students through English
- how to start educating the young children about culture through English.
- how to overcome cross-cultural communication and how to teach it to the students.
It is not just about learning a language, and in fact that is why I found it so interesting, because this is exactly why I am teaching English, not simply to teach other people a language, but to give them much more. I also got the opportunity of socializing, speaking to other people attending, namely also Professors of AUC (a big university in Cairo) and of AAST Alex (big uni in Alex), as well as Professors from big universities all over the world, namely UAE, Taiwan, UK, Australia and the US. I now know what I really want to do in life (or so I think) – no don't worry, I won't be teaching English all my life!!!!!!!
One thing I also found different from the AIESEC conferences and which I most definitely missed are the delegation meetings as well as the creative use of PowerPoint!!!! Our delegation was in such a mess, everyone was confused, and we got on each other's nerves very often, though always resulting in a big laugh. And the presenters used OHPs can you believe it!!!!!! I haven't followed a presentation using OHP in years!!!!!!!!!!! Though mind you, the few who did have PPts did not even know how to use the computer!!!!
The coolest thing about the trip was not only the conference, but the fun we had outside that!!!! First and foremost we left Alex at 5.00am to reach Cairo by 8.30am. We were meant to go in two cars. One car driven by Dr Ahmed (Boss) and the other by Ahmed (Finance guy). I got picked up at 5.30am – Thea as usual half asleep – to find Maria, Hebba, Dr Ahmed and Dina in the car singing and dancing to loud Arabic music!!!!! Ahh I though I could have a good sleep in the car – NO WAY. How could they have so much energy at that time in the morning?
Essam and Dr Ahmed trying to fix the car
Dina, Maria, Amira and I piled up in the back seat!
Anyway, after about 2hrs of driving, Ahmed's car decided that he's had enough. So smoke started coming out of the car in the middle of the desert road!!! The car totally gave up, it did not want to drive, and the 9 of us where there stranded on the desert road on the way to
Ahmed and Essam not impressed by the Belly Dancer!!!
Mr Demetre making the most of his time with the Belly Dancer
Mr Demetre having a chat with the Sufu Dancer
The evenings were also great fun!!! We decided to go on a Nile Cruise. Unfortunately due to the day's happenings we had no time to book, so we ended up going on a lousy boat with lousy food, but really cool entertainment. The Sufu dancer, as well as the belly dancer were a good laugh. We definitely had loads of fun. And it was cool sailing on the
Celebrating Hebba's Birthday
We also got the opportunity of shopping in Cairo - way better than in Alex!!!! And enjoying Sheesha at Fishawi - the coffee shop that has been open for 24hrs every day for the last 200 years!!!!!
We then headed back to Alex, on Saturday at about 1am thus arriving in Alex at 5am - once again we got lost in Cairo and could not find out way out!!!!!
