Now that we’re back to college, let’s all take a moment and get ready to survive another year at AAST Miami Campus. Let’s admit it, we kind of missed this place.
1-“Barken ya basha”?
If you come in a car, you must have at least once hated the day you drove it to campus, especially during the first week of college. Finding a parking spot is like mission impossible. However, we think that it’s a blessing in disguise, because “sorry doctor kont balef 7awalen nafsi for 30 minutes to find a parking spot (aka: I have been going around in circles) is always a good excuse to come late to class.
2- Abo balash katar meno
This is AAST students’ motto. If there’s a marketing campaign or a class project where free food/product samples are distributed, don’t judge how civilized and patient we are to get our free samples. We don’t like to keep it calm, benkhaf net7esed, especially when it comes to Redbull; as if we don’t already have an energy overdose.
3- Freshmen aren’t really freshmen!
Here is the funny part. First day of college anywhere usually revolves around freshmen not fitting in, feeling insecure and a little bit worried about the new phase they’re about to commence. Surprisingly, it is different here at AAST. Every year, you find that the majority of freshmen are already familiar with many of the students, and act as if they’ve been around for years not just one day. This is how small Alexandria is (metaphorically speaking); everyone knows everyone.
4- Za7ma ya donia za7ma
If you’ve been to the campus before, you know how BIG it is (NOT). Every year, we find the campus getting more and more crowded than the year before, and we’re dying to know why! We’re doubting that people might have stopped graduating years ago!
5-No place in “NOT festival”
A couple of years ago, we used to have “Festival” café instead of the current college cafeteria. However, we still call it “Festival” and even new comers who didn’t even know it existed, still call it “Festival” too. Anyway, don’t put too much hope on finding a place there during the break. Either you leave the lecture early to reserve your place, or you simply hangout on the pavements. YES! the pavements.
6- Chilling on “raseef el mal3ab” like a boss
No place in the cafeteria, no problem. We invented another chillout spot: the volleyball court’s flagstones. We just sit there and enjoy our time. We probably either end up with “tan el fala7een” from the burning sun or get hit by a ball from our volleyball stars.
7-kebda 7amo
kebda 7amo is a trade mark there. It’s a cart that has been on the campus’s street for decades, and has served one generation after the other. We’re all very suspiscious of the dogs which are always roaming around the cart, but we stopped caring long ago. It’s simply tasty and cheap.
8- The “wealthy” Haythem
Another trade mark is Haythem’s small grocery store. For us, it’s better than any big supermarket; you can simply find everything there. In fact, at Haythem’s, it’s not all about getting chips and chocolates, but more about the long chats you have with him while you’re buying your snacks. Haythem is not just a shop owner; he’s every student’s friend.
9-Gaps = montaza
Worst thing ever is a schedule full of gaps between classes, since there is not much to do in college. However, being only 5 minutes away from Montaza makes it up for us. What could be better than chilling out on the beach and relaxing in the refreshing air before the next lecture!
P.S: Sometimes, we even skip lectures to go there. Sorry doctors.
10- Our “beloved” MBA building
Last but not least, let’s hope not to have any classes at the MBA building. Waiting for the elevator is torturous especially during summer. Personally, I prefer it there; the big classes and strong air conditioning make it up for many students.
As a matter of fact, no matter how small, crowded and irritating the campus can be; AAST students still love it just the way it is and are proud to belong to such a great university.
