A group of students from Augsburg College traveled this year to Egypt to explore the impact of grassroots civic engagement and the challenges modern Egypt faces in the wake of its largely youth-led 2011 revolution.

The trip, led by Joe Underhill, associate professor and chair of political science, and Mohamed Sallam, director of Pan-Afrikan Student Services, was the first opportunity for some students to travel outside the United States. The cultural differences between the U.S. and Egypt were especially pronounced for these individuals, who during post-trip presentations discussed Egyptians’ impressive hospitality while also recalling the humor of trying to learn a barter system only after purchasing over-priced merchandise.

For Sallam, examining the difference between contemporary Egypt and the country he recalls from his youth was equally interesting. Sallam’s family moved to the United States from Egypt before he was born, but as a child he regularly visited the nation. He is fluent in Arabic, which helped he and Underhill organize the trip.

“I was always aware of the changes that were taking place from year to year,” Sallam said. “However, what made this time different was the excitement that the people we encountered expressed about the growing public discourse around social problems and politics. For me, those experiences were the most outstanding.”

Trip fosters critical thinking and civic engagement, helps develop of global citizens

Egypt’s political changes have been an axis through which several Augsburg programs, lectures, and travel experiences have connected. This year Augsburg offered students a course through which student delegates represented Egypt at the organization’s conference in New York City. The College also hosted the Batalden Symposium on Applied Ethics, and the convocation presentation featured founders of the Engaging and Empowering Egyptian Youth (EYouth) project. The three EYouth members who visited the College delivered a lecture on their experiences as protesters, presented observations on the process of political change, and participated in additional forums and workshops.

When Augsburg’s study abroad participants visited Egypt, they met with the EYouth students who had traveled to the Twin Cities. The groups continued the dialogue that began on Augsburg’s campus, identifying and discussing complex societal issues as well as the common threads that unite young people, such as hopes for the future and post-graduation goals. The students challenged preconceptions regarding each other’s culture, and the Augsburg students benefited from candid discussions that focused on the Egyptians’ civic participation and contribution to social change.

“Our students learned about civic engagement, which is a key part of Augsburg’s mission statement,” Underhill said. “We exposed them to people who are living civil duties to the extreme. It doesn’t get much more influential than putting your life on the line for a revolution.”

In post-revolution Egypt, civic engagement gives people a renewed sense of ownership in their country, according to Sallam. “Previously most private citizens were excluded from participating in public political life,” he said. Now, “people use their creativity and talents to make their lives and the lives of other Egyptians more meaningful.”

In addition to learning about Egyptian politics, the Augsburg students researched environmental sustainability, Muslim-Christian relations, and the effects of tourism, among other topics. Trip participants met with representatives from more than a dozen youth activism, economic development and environmental organizations that work to improve Egypt in its present time of political and societal transition. These visits expanded the knowledge students previously gained in the Augsburg classroom.

Underhill and Sallam partnered with the College’s award-winning to offer the trip. “Nurturing personal and professional connections makes our program meaningful and sustainable,” said Sallam. He and Underhill used their academic expertise, skills, backgrounds, and networks of international contacts to enrich students’ travel experiences by granting them access to unique and infrequently visited destinations.

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The first of these opportunities is the Batalden Symposium on Applied Ethics which will feature three members of the EYouth (Engaging and Empowering Egyptian Youth) project. The lecture on Monday, Feb. 13 at 10 a.m., is free and open to the public.

Said Joe Underhill, professor of political science and adviser for Augsburg’s Model UN course, “We are hoping these events will provide students with a rich and inter-related set of learning experiences that will inspire and empower our students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders.”

Opportunities for community and student engagement include the following:

Feb. 13-16:  The Batalden Symposium on Applied Ethics featuring Alaa Abd El-Rahman, Nada Yehia, and Noor Hafez of the EYouth project

Convocation lecture: Monday, Feb. 13, 10 a.m., Hoversten Chapel, Foss Center

Workshop: Feb. 13, 1:30-4:30, East Commons, Christensen Center

Interfaith dialogue on political action: Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Building (corner of Riverside and 20th Ave S)

The convocation presentation by Mr. El-Rahman, Ms. Hafez, and Ms. Yehia will describe their experiences as part of the protests and observations about the process of youth-led political change in Egypt. In addition to the convocation, the speakers will work with Augsburg students on projects of common interest (such as collaboration on a public opinion survey for youth on civic engagement), a town hall forum and interfaith dialogue on social change, and a workshop on youth leadership development.

Mar. 1-3 Nobel Peace Prize Forum

Events and workshops related to youth empowerment and social change (including in Egypt, Somalia, India, and in the Twin Cities). Featured speakers and performers include former South African president F. W. de Klerk, human rights activist Naomi Tutu, and rapper Dessa. The Forum includes tracks in business, arts and music, education, and global studies. Learn more at the .

The Model UN Course at Augsburg 

This year delegates will represent Egypt at the Model UN Conference in New York City in May. They will also meet with the Egyptian Mission to the UN and Council on Foreign Relations expert Ed Husain.

May 19-June 11: Youth Movements and Social Change in Egypt

In this summer study abroad course, Augsburg students will meet with the Egyptians from the EYouth Movement to continue building the partnerships and collaborative relationships around youth empowerment. Students will also study the revolution and sustainable development in Egypt. Deadline to sign up for this seminar is February 10.

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