Some study-abroad programs often are seen by students as a chance to get away from it all, especially the rules and restrictions of the home campus or even the hometown. While MESP is an opportunity to enter into a different culture and learning experience, all applicants should know that the MESP community lives according to a covenant requiring students to observe a number of rules related to behavior, dress, and spiritual life. The covenant rules arise from two program goals:

• To build respect among MESP students necessary for processing mutual learning, experiences, and spiritual insights. Participants always represent a spectrum of religious and political views, and mutual respect is essential to sustain the quality of relationships and the mandatory morning devotionals.
• To show respect for the people and culture of Islamic Cairo and other areas of the Middle East as we seek to interact with Muslim peoples and institutions who are very concerned with issues of character and behavior.  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.

“No dating” rules, for example, support both of these needs.   They help prevent exclusive relationships or “cliques” that inhibit mutual learning and respect within the cohort group, on the one hand; and, on the other hand, they respect Islamic behavioral expectations which  preclude Western-style dating and exclusive male/female interaction.

All students accepted into the program should review the materials related to the MESP covenant rules and be willing to abide by them, keeping in mind that these rules are intended to expand rather than restrict the student experience.