American University of Cairo (AUC)

On the way to AUC: Back in the day (built in 1919) the campus was located on Zamalek (the island I live on) but over the past several years they have expanded the campus and moved it to the outer edges of Cairo.  Basically HELLA far from where I live and in the middle of the freaking desert, in the middle of nowhere. You can choose to live on campus there, but there is no way of getting off/out of that deserted area when the buses aren't running.  The New Campus is a 45 min commute from Zamalek and charter busses are provided to and fro the New Campus and Zamalek.  The bus is air conditioned and even has wifi!!! But basically... everyone passes the F out on the bus until they reach their destination.  Lol.  The ride there is crazy, and has a better glimpse of Cairo.  Here are a few photos of the ride to AUC.

Leaving Zamalek

Beautiful masjid on the way to AUC

Desert land all around nearing AUC (and what surrounds it)

The Campus: The university is pretty small... well for me especially.  Its total enrollment (undergrad/grad) is a little over 6,000 while Cal's is nearing 40,000!  The campus however, OMG.  It is beautiful.  It looks exactly like what I imagined!  Only thing is that... its SO hot!!! And you would think they would put some shady trees all over the place, but no!  They have dinky palm trees everywhere and as dehydrated as the desert makes you feel, there are dozens of fountains on campus.  Every time I see them, I literally want to jump in them and stay there forever.  Here are photos of AUC campus...