Editor’s note: The Enquirer-Journal will follow Hannah throughout the semester with monthly updates and excerpts from her blog.

MONROE - Hannah Potter, a senior at Forest Hills High School, left Aug. 26 to study in Egypt this semester.

From boat rides on the Nile to celebrating Ramadan, Potter said she is enjoying her time there, but looks forward to school starting so she can meet others her age.

Potter lives with a host family in Giza, near Cairo, and will attend Misr Language Schools. She has already started learning Arabic.

The language is difficult to pick up, she said, but she hopes it will come in handy when taking the microbus into town and communicating directions. Arabic phrases are sprinkled throughout her blog entries.

Potter received a scholarship from the National Security Language Initiative for Youth to fund her studies. NSLI-Y offers merit-based

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Egypt

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scholarships to students to learn “less commonly taught languages” through immersion programs.

The program suggests that students limit e-mails back home to one per week or one phone call per month.

Potter hopes to pursue humanitarian work after high school.

Q: Describe your average day, from the time you wake up to the time you go to bed.

A: The average day changes very much depending on what you have to do. I will describe one during Ramadan since I have been here mostly during Ramadan. I would wake up around 2 in the afternoon. Then I would watch TV or work on stuff for my independent studies for Forest Hills. My principal and teachers have all been extremely supportive through this process, and I really appreciate their help with my studies. Then at sundown we would have iftar which is the meal to break your fast during Ramadan. After that we would sometimes go places like a boat ride on the Nile, concerts, or to family gatherings. Around one or two in the morning, I would eat again. This is a smaller meal, but still just as good. Then, I would watch TV or read, and then go to sleep around 4 in the morning. Days are different when I have Arabic lessons and will be much different when school starts.

Q: How much of a language barrier is there? Are there many people who speak English, or do you have to find creative ways to communicate?

A: There is a language barrier present, but most of the time it isn’t a problem. A lot of the time I am with an Egyptian when I am going places, so they can translate. The time when I see the language barrier the most is when I am on my own and traveling in a taxi or microbus or when I am shopping. Many people know English, and my host family knows English, so it is not that large of a problem. I started Arabic lessons last week, so hopefully I can start communicating more in Arabic.

Q: What do you miss most about home?

A: I miss lots of things about home. Mostly I simply miss being around my family and friends. They are all such great people, so it is hard to be away from them. I have kept in touch with them, and knowing that they are doing well makes things easier. Also, I miss certain types of food. In America, we eat lots of different kinds of food, like Mexican, Chinese, Italian, etc., but here it is mostly all Egyptian. It is very good, but sometimes I miss the variety, and my mother’s delicious meals. I do miss playing tennis, and being able to go to the activities at Forest Hills. I love going to the football, soccer, and other games, so it is different without them. Go Jackets!

Q: What don’t you miss?

A: I can’t really say that there is anything I do not miss. I enjoy life back home, so I don’t really have anything bad to say.

Q: When does school start? Are you nervous? Excited?

A: School hopefully starts Oct. 4. It has been delayed because of Ramadan and Eid holiday and because of the swine flu. I am very excited about school starting. It will be great to have something to do, and it will be a way to meet more people my age. Also, there are activities that I can participate in at my school, so it will be great to have some physical activity. I really enjoy school back home, but I doubt my teachers here will be as wonderful as the ones I have had and have at Forest Hills. School will also be great because it will allow me to have a more regular schedule. I do not know much about the classes I will be taking or the function of the school. I do know that my class is very small — only 10 students — and that I will probably be taking around six classes.

Q: Have you had any surprises? Are the roads different than you thought? Have you seen any wildlife you weren’t expecting? Are there foods you thought you’d never like, but ended up loving?

A: Egypt is quite a country. Cairo is such a big city, and that alone has been a huge adjustment. There are people everywhere, and it is truly a city that never sleeps. The roads are very chaotic. Cars and buses fit into every space available. There are no lanes marked off on most roads, so it is a mess. Most roads have six to eight lanes of traffic. With over 20 million people in the city, there has to be some compromise. Crossing the street is also an adventure all on its own. There are no crosswalks, and you cross one lane at a time as careful as possible. Also, the hospitality shown here is remarkable. You read about it in the guidebooks, and you never really think it is that true, but it is. Everyone I have met has been super friendly and welcoming. Everyone opens up their house to you and offers you endless amounts of food. The people have probably made the biggest impact on me so far.

SIDEBAR

Excerpts from her blog:

Sept. 1, First Impressions

“My host mother has taken me out in the city twice and my host brother took me once. The streets are very hectic. There are people and cars going everywhere. Lots and lots of honking. ... Tonight we went to an older part of Cairo. We were going to a concert. ... The music was good, and even if I do not understand what they are saying I thought it sounded beautiful. It is the same way with the prayer calls. I have grown to love hearing them. ... The food is also great here. It has a very distinct taste, and my host mother keeps me feeling very full. Haha.”

Sept. 9, Felucca on the Nile

“I have been lucky enough to take two boat rides on the Nile. ... The first one I went on was with my host mother and host brother. ... The boat was a small, motor powered, flat boat. ... Because of Ramadan, we waited until the sun went down, and the prayer call was heard, and then we all began eating and drinking. ... The men danced on the boat. ... The next night I went on a boat was only a few short days later. ... This boat was smaller and more of a sailboat. It was quiet, calm, and much more peaceful. ... After each of the rides we would go somewhere else, either a cafe or a park, and sit and enjoy one another into late in the night.”

Sept. 19, Arabic Lessons

“I along with seven other exchange students take our lessons at this place called Arabic Studies Academy. ... Our lessons are in an apartment on the second floor of a building. It is really difficult to find, and everyday our taxi driver has to ask for directions. To get to my lesson, I ... catch a microbus. ... The driver does not always understand what I am saying, and it may take a few tries. ... The first day we had to take a placement test. ... It was all written in Arabic script, and the instructors wanted to respond in Arabic. ... I knew zero Arabic. There were four other students in my situation. ... Our teacher is fun, and I have learned quite a few words. We have also learned the alphabet. It is pretty difficult. Our lessons are three hours long.”

Sept. 22, Ramadan

“During this month, followers of Islam fast from sunup to sundown. That means no food, no water, no smoking. Muslims should also restrain themselves from any other indulgence during this same time. Also, Muslims should try to read the entire Holy Quran during this time. ... While my host family did not allow me to fast, I was able to get a taste of the experience while I would be gone all day in the harsh sun of Egypt. ... It is too hot to go outside, or to do anything if you can’t have water. While Ramadan is a very Holy month, it is also a very festive time. ... Ramadan is also a month of giving. People volunteer more, and give money and clothes to the needy.”

— hannahmpotter.blogspot.com