Hurry Up and Wait

So this is kind of a timeline of how I went from planning to study in Cairo to studying in Ifrane.

August 2011. I have known since I first started University that I was going to study abroad at some point in my collegiate career. I grew up overseas and my passion is for people, so the challenge of spending a semester in some remote corner of the world with new people was something I accepted as inevitable. Its also required for my major, so that doesn’t hurt. I talked to my parents about it, and after showing them my course progress and outlining my reasons, we agreed that the Fall of 2013 would be the ideal time for the study abroad. 

November 2012. When I sat down to figure out where in the world I wanted to go, I had two requirements for a country: it had to be Arabic-speaking, and it had to have a significant amount of history that I could immerse myself in while there. Naturally, I went straight to the Middle Eastern countries and parked myself in front of the map. While doing research and trying to figure out what kind of classes I wanted to take and how finances would work, every answer kept bringing me back to Jordan. I had mixed emotions about that- on one hand, the chance to experience the country where I grew up as an adult would be amazing and enlightening. On the other hand, I already had a thorough knowledge of the language, history and culture, so it wouldn't present any kind of new challenge. But since my options were limited (the Middle East isn't exactly the most stable area in the world, and SA programs are not cheap in most of the countries) I came up with a plan and went to see the International adviser at UNF.

I met with him on January 15^th of this year; I remember the date because it was my birthday. I had the day off of work and nothing to do until my night class, so I spent the morning looking at pictures of Jordan and daydreaming about what it would be like to study there. When the meeting time rolled around, I waltzed into my advisors office and laid out my plan. Every detail was provided, every question answered. I was READY. And then he came at me out of left field: “Jordan is a great choice, but have you looked anywhere else? I’ve been in contact with one of your professors, and she thinks you should look at going to Egypt.”

…..

Excuse me?

Of course, Egypt had been on my list, for about thirty seconds. Not only did I not think the university was sending people there, but it was right after a major revolution and I didn’t know anything about the stability or safety issues. I had no friends there, no knowledge of what it would take to get there, nothing. And yet… I did grow up watching Egyptian television, so I knew the language. Like any good history buff I have studied Egyptology, and am fascinated with the extensive history and beautiful architecture. And it was right across the sea form Jordan. So, being the Barlow that I am, I nodded my head and said “Sure.” We talked a little bit more about it and he gave me answers and options. I left the meeting feeling confused- what just happened to my master plan? So I did the only sensible thing I could do: called my parents. And they (of course) said go for it. And just like that the track was set for Egypt. I applied to the American University of Cairo, and was accepted on May 3^rd. Dad bought the ticket, I registered for housing and chose my classes, and started buying lightweight clothes to prepare for the weather. Everything was moving along swimmingly, and I was getting more and more excited about leaving. As a child who dreams of working for the government someday the chance to study a revolution up close and to build a network in a nation that increasingly proves important to ours was mind boggling. My heart began to fall in love with the Egyptian people, and every day was just one step closer to seeing those historic pyramids.

June 30^th, 2013. The second Egyptian revolution. Millions of people took to the streets, calling for the same change they had asked for a short year before. The world held its breath, and I continued to consume my Chick Fil A chicken nuggets. I wasn’t worried- the plan was in motion, and I knew in my heart that I was called to go this fall. So I spent my week lollygagging and eating apple pie

July 8^th.. I went home to spend the week of the 8^th-12^th with my Mom, and on that Monday I got an email from UNF. I was informed that the State Department had moved Egypt from the travel warning to the travel ban list, effectively forbidding me from going anywhere near there. Of course, the split second it took me to read that email was one of the darkest I’ve had. I was confused, upset, and totally freaked out because I had absolutely no Plan B. Yes I had embraced from the beginning that it could happen, but I never gave any serious thought to what I would do if it did. So the world was ending, hell had frozen over and I was going absolutely nowhere in life. Again, I did the only sensible thing I could do. I called my mom. I was in tears, reading her the email and trying to accept that everything was over. But my mom is so much smarter than that. She listened to me go on for about five minutes then said “Anna, honey, have you looked at going anywhere else?”

Again, What?? Had I stopped to consider that there was still time to apply to another school? No. Had I even explored what schools UNF had partnerships with and what it might take to get to one of those? Of course not. I was too busy bemoaning the end of the world. And my mom, ever patient with my dramatics, encouraged me to just look. The worst that could happen was I may have to delay a semester, but she never believed that would happen for a second because she also felt that I was called to go this fall. She calmed me down quickly, and left me to figure out if there was time for a Plan B. When checking out other partner schools, I ended up with three country possibilities: The UK, Denmark, and Morocco. All exciting, all new, and all suitable backup plan. So I emailed the schools, praying that it would be clear which door I could walk through and that the clarity would come quickly. I received an answer from Al-Akhawayn University the very same day, encouraging me to apply and outlining the steps for doing so. Then I heard from the schools in Denmark and the UK- it was too late for fall, but I was welcome to apply for spring. So that settled that! I filled out the application for AUI, crossed my fingers and sat back to wait.

July 24^th. Fast forward two weeks. I received my official acceptance letter from AUI on July 23^rd, along with the housing request, travel info and course options. My dad shopped around and managed to book my flight, and mom bought me some heavy-duty clothes to prepare for the bitter winter that awaits me. In the span of two weeks the last six months of planning, waiting and preparing have come undone and I am now anxiously awaiting my departure for Ifrane, Morocco on August 21^st.

Anyone who has spoken to me in the last few months knows how excited I was about Egypt. I mean, who wouldn’t be? Mystique, history, delicious food, a sense of danger, and the chance to watch political change firsthand. That’s awesome, and the dream of any 20-year-old who is out to change the world. But what would I really have been facing? 4 months of my friends and family worrying constantly. Having to live pretty confined to the campus, because waltzing around Cairo as a young, white female just isn’t a smart decision. Living with 3 people I’ve never met, taking generalized classes, and basically just returning to a culture that has been a part of me my entire life. It would have been amazing no doubt, but almost more of a “look what I get to do!” trip rather than a real life-changing semester that impacts my future by way of my goals and career. In Morocco, I am entering an entirely unknown culture and area of the world. I have little to no exposure to the history of North Africa, and the dialect of Arabic spoken there is very different from the one I grew up with. I will get to practice my French as well, and take very specific classes that fit perfectly into my degree needs. Morocco is one of the oldest nations in Africa with one of the most diverse histories, and the culture shock idea is both daunting and exciting. So this semester is no longer getting back to what I know, but stepping outside of my comfort zone and really embracing a new challenge.

Long story short, July 28^th 2013. In four days I am heading home for a few weeks, then packing my bags and leaving on a jet plane. I’m not going where I was expecting to, but I am going where I need to be. The whole process of getting here has been crazy, but very rewarding. I’m learning to trust, relax, and realize that my plans pale in comparison to what God has designed. 

And that is the story of the climb to studying abroad. The next three weeks will be preparation for the journey, and from there, the real journey begins.