UH-Clear Lake students and professors participate in Egypt study program

Pictured are the students with a guide as well as UH-Clear Lake Associate Professor of Sociology Mike McMullen (kneeling, center) and Professor of Criminology Everette Penn (standing, back row, center) in front of the Muhammad Ali Mosque in Cairo.

Nine students and two professors from the University of Houston–Clear Lake spent their spring semester in Egypt as part of a study abroad program.

The group explored the aftermath of the Egyptian revolution, which began Jan. 25, 2011. Through conversations with Egyptians and visits to historical sites throughout the country, they learned about how the event affected Egyptian politics, culture, society and women’s rights.

Professors Everette Penn and Mike McMullen went on the trip. Both have taught at universities in Egypt through the Fulbright scholarship program.

“Egyptians remain hopeful about the long-term prospect of democracy in Egypt, but realistic about the continuing need to keep the revolution going to make sure the military hands over the power to an elected civilian leader,” said Penn, according to a press release.

Additionally, the group visited several historic sites, including the pharaoh's temples in Edfu and Kom Ombo, ancient libraries in Alexandria and the Nile River between Luxor and Aswan.

Students who attended the trip included Stacey Michelle Baldon, Juan Fernando Garcia, Kristin Stephanie Leary, Quintina Nicol Ming, Azizah Fumo-Abdalla Mohammed, Monica Rincon, Cindy Kay, Christine Steffens, Evgenia D. Terekhova and Natalie Marie Walker.

The students will present their research projects and experiences from the program from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, July 2 at the UH-Clear Lake Garden Room, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Houston.

For more information, visit hsh.uhcl.edu.