CURRENT MISSION

Surrounding myself with creative, interesting people because the stimulation of having good conversations helps me with my work, which is research/writing. I would like to make sure I educate my students to be critical thinkers and to learn from them too.

ABOUT ME

I grew up in Cairo in a very international, worldly environment. I worked as a journalist for three years and then decided to go into academia. I moved to the US and got a PhD there at Georgetown University. I'm currently channeling most of my creative energies towards writing a book that is based on my dissertation research. The setting for the writing is currently Qatar, and in a couple of months will be Berlin.

PHILOSOPHY

Personal and communal happiness.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I participate in two ways: one is offering my place where I will be in September to other members to use and show them around when they do visit my town.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I enjoyed staying with two friends of a friend of mine that I never met before. It was an amazing experience because you're suddenly realizing that there is a level of trust and comfort because you're in someone's home, but at the same time you don't know them. It's like reading a story, with every passing hour you discover a new thing about the person, being part of their family for that brief period at least. We're still good friends after many years.

Interests

Good conversations, company and friendship.

• writing
• books
• environment
• chess
• reading
• soccer
• history
• journalism

Music, Movies, and Books

I love comedies generally, Jazz and history books.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Seen, the grand canyan, the pyramids, the Abu Simbul Temple, Monument Valley.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm a historian. I know a little bit about the Middle East, having studied the region and also having grown up in Cairo a big chunk of my life. I love soccer and I think I am ok at it. Oh, and I almost forgot another passion that I can teach: chess.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Germany, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Libya, Netherlands, Singapore, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, Egypt, Germany, Qatar, United States

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