Mechanical Engineering

Benjamin (PhD 1992) & Julia (MSME 1991) Jones

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Biography

Ben and Julia spent two years in Egypt, from Fall 1992 until Spring 1994. The following is Ben's recap of their adventures abroad.

"Our introduction to Egypt began at 2:00 on a muggy September morning, after a 16-hour flight from Seattle. We arrived to take new positions at The American University in Cairo (AUC) -- I as an Assistant Professor and Julia to supervise the Thermal Sciences laboratories in the Engineering Department. Our initial impressions of Cairo were enough to convince us that we belonged on the next flight OUT!"

"Fortunately things greatly improved. Coping with traffic and living arrangements were all possible with time. We thoroughly enjoyed our work at AUC. Although 35% of the entire faculty were US citizens, we were the only Americans in the Engineering Department. This turned out to be an advantage, as the department faculty bent over backward to make us feel welcome and a part of the 'family.' The students were friendly, polite and every bit as accomplished as those we knew in the USA."

"Life in Cairo was the equivalent of a great big roller coaster ride. On the down side was the pollution and incessant noise generated by 14 million people crowded together. On the up side, however, was the friendly zany nature of the typical Cairene, and the astounding scenery, culture and history that combine to make up modern Egypt. We traveled extensively, from the heights of Mt. Sinai to the parched and mighty Sahara Desert to the incomparable temples and tombs of the Pharaohs in Upper Egypt. Julia and I truly believe that such things are not to be missed in any person's lifetime. We returned home with an appreciation of Egyptian culture, as well as a new realization of what is here. We also brought back the ultimate souvenir: Stella Clair Jones, born on March 27, 1994, in a hospital in the Mohandiseen district of Cairo, Egypt!"

Since their return to the USA, Stella, Ben and Julia have again settled in Seattle. Julia is currently assisting the department as a lecturer for MENGR 123 Engineering Graphics, while Ben is actively exploring job opportunities.

This article was adapted from the Fall 1994 ME Newsletter.