Program Overview

The vast Muslim cemeteries of Cairo, sometimes called the “City of the Dead” are a unique urban environment that includes valuable mediaeval architectural monuments and living communities that practice traditional crafts.  As part of the conservation and reconstructions efforts of the hawd mosque – erected by Sultan Qaitbey ca. 1,472 CE – students will participate in documentation of physical and social aspects of a section of this quarter.  Working side-by-side with Egyptian peers, students will learn about architectural and urban history of a traditional Middle Eastern city, and about principles of architectural conservation and adaptive reuse.

Instructor Bio

Agnieszka Dobrowolska (agnieszka@archinos.com) is a conservation architect living and working in Cairo. She directed a number of architectural conservation projects in Historic Cairo in addition to her work on design in historic environment, adaptive reuse, and museum and exhibitions. She is the principal and partner in ARCHiNOS architectural practice in Cairo.

Jarosław Dobrowolski (jaroslaw@archinos.com) is a conservation architect living and working in Cairo. He has worked on numerous archaeological sites and conservation projects in Egypt and the Sudan, and directed a number of architectural conservation project. For fifteen years he was Technical Director of the USAID-funded conservation program in Egypt implemented by the American Research Center in Egypt. He is partner in ARCHiNOS architectural practice in Cairo.

Student Fees

Program Costs

All fees are payable to the Institute for Field Research. Eight semester credit units are provided through Connecticut College. Program fee includes registration, accommodations, program activities, and meals on workdays.

Financial Aid

Please inquire about Financial Aid at your home institution. For details about the financial aid application process, please visit the Financial Aid section of this web site.

Budgeting

How much to budget depends on your travel, entertainment and souvenir choices. It is always best to overestimate your spending. We recommend that you budget accordingly to cover optional sightseeing, laundry, internet cafes, emergencies, etc.

Expenses NOT Covered:

 - Airfare to/from the pre-designated meeting place for the field school.

 - Food on weekends when away from the site.

 - Miscellaneous expenses.

 - Sightseeing outside formal field school excursions as outlined on the syllabus.

Accommodations

MEALS

All meals will be communal events and will provide plenty of nutritious but basic food in the tradition of local cuisine.  Specialized diets (vegan, kosher, etc.) are difficult to maintain in this location. Vegetarians may attend but will find options limited.  All meals are provided during working days.  You are responsible for your own meals during weekends.  

Please let us know when you apply for this program if you have special dietary needs, as well as any medical or physical conditions. We will advise you accordingly.

Travel Information

Students will be met at the Cairo airport by a meet-and-assist service or by project staff. From the airport, students will be transported to the project hotel/accomedation facilities. In case of unexpected change in travel schedules, please notify the Project Directors by calling or sending a text message to their cell phones.  The cell phone numbers will be provided to enrolled students during orientation.   

VISA REQUIREMENTS:

A passport with at least six months of validity remaining after the date of return is required. US, Canada, Australia and European citizens can purchase a tourist visa upon arrival at Cairo Airport for $ 15. This visa is valid for a month and has a two week grace period. If you are planning to stay longer than 6 weeks the project will arrange for a visa extension.  Click here for the US State Department Travel Advice website.

HEALTH ISSUES:

For specific information regarding travel health issues pertinent to the US, please read the Centers for Disease Control Website. Click here to be directed to the CDC website.

Student Testimonials

This is a new field school and thus, no student testimonials are available.