MESP participants are in close contact with Egyptians. It is important to remember that we are guests in their country. Sensitivity to their cultural and social traditions and respect for them means remaining flexible and willing to do things their way.  First Things for Prospective Students

Because of the communal nature of the Middle East Studies Program, students and staff are expected to follow biblical principles concerning Christian conduct, including willingness to subordinate one’s own prerogatives for the benefit of the community and to avoid all expressions of racial and sexual discrimination and sexual harassment. 

Behavioral Code
All students are asked to sign and commit themselves to the following statement prior to their acceptance into the Program.  Here you, the student, are asked to re-read the statement and the remainder of the rules and then indicate your willingness to adhere to them for the duration of the MESP program by signing below.

By signing this student handbook, I HEREBY RECOGNIZE that I will be participating in a Christ-centered community in the Middle East, requiring an exemplary lifestyle in living and learning, and respect for members of this community and the surrounding local culture.  While in the program, I will endeavor to conduct myself in accordance with a Christ-centered life; cultivating actions it commends such as love, compassion, truthfulness, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  I will likewise refrain from dishonesty, plagiarism, drunkenness, sexual immorality, promiscuity, theft, violence, disruptive behavior, racism, sexual harassment and illicit or non-medical use of drugs, narcotics & other substances.  I will also honor any additional standards required by my home institution.

FURTHERMORE, in respect for the values of others in this community, I will abstain from the use of alcohol and tobacco.

I UNDERSTAND that violation of any of these standards is grounds for disciplinary action, including immediate dismissal from the program.

MESP Rules
In addition to the behavioral code above, the MESP has additional rules and guidelines intended to maintain the mission and communal integrity of the program. Students are asked to sign this agreement during their orientation in Cairo. Violation of any of the following is potentially grounds for dismissal from the program.

1. You must give the director written notice whenever you wish to leave greater Cairo or spend the night outside of your housing.  We need to be able to contact you in an emergency here or at home. 
2. You are required to attend all MESP functions unless specified as “optional,” including social functions, outings, field trips, classes, etc. If you are sick, please notify the director. 
3. Do not go to places where there is social dancing and/or alcohol, such as discos, bars, and private parties.  
4. MESP has a “No Dating” policy.  Male-female relations, including dating and courtship, vary greatly from culture to culture.  What may seem like common courtesy to a North American may be read as a virtual wedding proposal or sexual “come-on” to someone from another culture.  We will give you details about what is appropriate and what is not.  Meanwhile we ask that MESP students do not begin romantic/physical relationships with fellow MESP students, staff or locals.  
5. Do not show cross-gender public displays of affection (PDA).  In the Muslim Middle East it is common for adult male friends to hold hands.  Women and girls also hold hands.  But holding hands, hugging or walking arm in arm across gender lines is generally reserved for those who are married or engaged.  If you are female and an Egyptian male friend attempts to hold your hand, politely refuse.  Do not think “Oh, maybe this is culturally normal”- IT IS NOT!
6. Females should not move about the city alone, including Agouza, after 10:00 PM.  Certainly female students should not visit certain parts of the city (such as Khan al-Khalili, Imbaba, Bulaq, etc.) alone.  Do not walk across the bridges after dark alone.
7. Be on time to all activities. Do not disrespect the entire group by holding it up for departures on field trips or beginning class and devotions. Habitual tardiness could be grounds for dismissal from the program. Please also respect and be attentive when on a tour with colleagues—don’t chit chat while tour guides are speaking.
8. When traveling on your own outside of Cairo, travel in groups of three or more. A male and a female may not travel together alone. Avoid co-habitation even in large groups.  (i.e. If  two guys and  three women go to Alexandria, rent two rooms in a hotel and not one large room!).     
9. There can be no women in the men’s housing; no men in the women’s housing. 
10. Take care of your apartments. Any items damaged will be charged to the individual[s] responsible. 
11. There can be no evangelism. Muslims and Copts are highly sensitive to this and proselytizing is forbidden by law.  You may self-identify as a Christian if asked about your faith, but don’t initiate too much information—this could be construed as evangelism. As a Christian program in a Muslim country and a conservative Muslim neighborhood, we live with a precarious situation requiring caution with locals.
12. Due to the intensity of activities and communal bonding here in Cairo, no visitors—family or friends—are allowed during the semester without permission of the Director. Under no circumstances may visitors stay in or visit MESP apartments—these are common areas. 
13. You may not drive any type of vehicle while in Egypt. 

Upon receipt of a complaint about, or notice of such a violation or conduct, the program director will provide the student with notice of the complaint or alleged violation and give an opportunity to be heard. Following this, the director will attempt to communicate, consult and coordinate with the senior student life official at the student's home institution. Following these, the director will make a decision with respect to the appropriate disciplinary response and will inform the student and the senior student life official at the home campus of that decision. The director's decision will be final unless the student chooses to make a verbal or written appeal to the CCCU vice president in charge of student programs.