The value of a college experience goes beyond learning in the classroom.
New Horizons
The Sawiris Penn Scholars Exchange Program facilitates eye-opening experiences
Published: October 27, 2022
Scholar exchange and study abroad programs are centered on the view that leaving your comfort zone and encountering new perspectives are essential to intellectual and interpersonal growth.
“At our university, the architecture program is part of the engineering school, so it is very focused on the technical side,” says Farah Essam Girat-Allah, an architectural engineering major from Ain Shams University (ASU) in Cairo, Egypt. “As part of the Weitzman School of Design, there is more emphasis on the artistic and design aspect of the field. Plus, there is so much diverse architecture at Penn and in the city of Philadelphia. It has deepened my love of the craft to have this new perspective.”
Students in the Sawiris Penn Scholars Exchange Program gather in front of Penn’s iconic LOVE statue on College Green. Pictured left to right: Farah Essam Girat-Allah, Rawan Sleem, Carine Mankarious, and George Habib.
Farah and her classmate, George Habib, are part of the initial cohort of ASU students who are spending the 2022-2023 academic year at Penn through the Sawiris Penn Scholars Exchange Program. Created in May 2021 thanks to a generous gift from NNS Foundation—a fund settled by Nassef, PAR’21, and Sherine Sawiris, PAR’21—the program is designed to advance future societal and business impact for bright Egyptian students through access to a U.S. education, as well as provide culturally enriching experiences for both Sawiris Scholars and Penn students.
“The Sawiris Scholars are among the top students at Ain Shams, and they bring their unique perspectives and insights to the Penn campus,” says Amy Gadsden, Associate Vice Provost for Global Initiatives. “Following their year here, they will continue on as ambassadors for our University abroad. ”
Penn Global’s mission is to bring the world to Penn and Penn to the world. We are very excited to develop important people-to-people linkages between Penn and Egypt.”Amy Gadsden, Associate Vice Provost for Global Initiatives
Each year, the program will welcome up to five students, majoring in ASU’s electronics and communications engineering or architectural engineering programs, who will enhance their undergraduate education and personal growth at Penn. Sawiris Scholars are encouraged to access the many resources and activities available to Penn students, including extracurricular programs and student clubs, the Weingarten Learning Resources Center, cultural resource centers, and much more.
Under the guidance of Faculty Advisor Eve Troutt Powell and Senior Global Programs Manager Michael Griego, the students will also embark on a variety of culturally immersive experiences. “Penn is deeply committed to providing opportunities for international students to be part of the fabric of campus,” says Griego. “Beyond the rigorous curriculum, our activities are designed so they not only learn about campus life, but the U.S. as a whole.”
Students in the Sawiris Penn Scholars Exchange Program enjoy trips to New York City and Washington, D.C., giving them a sense of the depth of the country they are visiting. “These are the places you see in the movies,” says George Habib. “And now, it’s like I am in the movie.”
Among the benefits of their Penn experience, the scholars have noted the accessibility of professors and the expansive options for courses across Penn’s four undergraduate schools. Farah has particularly enjoyed the living-and-learning environment cultivated by Penn’s College House system. “Back at home, student housing is much more separated from the main campus,” Farah says. “I love that Penn is designed to accommodate the communal aspect of college life.”
While the subject matter is largely the same, the scholars have found differences—both subtle and strong—in the educational approaches of the two universities. “In Egypt, we have one midterm, whereas here, there are many,” says George Habib. “Time management is key, and that is a skill we are enhancing in this educational system.” George also noted Penn’s smaller lecture sizes as a positive. “I feel like you can understand a lot more in smaller groups,” he says. “You feel more comfortable asking questions, and you get more individual attention.”
Carine, Farah, Rawan, and George, pictured along the bank of the lake in Central Park.
As the programs grows, Sawiris Scholars like Farah and George will continue to reap the benefits of lessons that go beyond classroom learning. “My experiences with Penn faculty will stay with me for a long time,” Farah says. “They have been so understanding and dedicated to us as students both and as people. As an aspiring academic, I realize I will have the responsibility not just to convey the knowledge I’ve gained, but to do what I can to make a student’s life better.”
“I am looking forward to returning home with new stories to tell about myself, the U.S., and the different cultures I’ve learned about,” says George. “Grades are not the only mark of a great education. There are also the experiences you have along the way.”
