The Learn and Serve Program + More Seafood

One of the best parts about being at Amideast during the summer is that I get to see the programs we administer pass through. Two days ago, I went with Feriel to the airport to pick up nine American students who are here for six weeks on the Learn and Serve Program. They're all college students, mostly rising seniors from the University of Wyoming and the University of Alabama. None of them have been in the Middle East/North Africa before. A few have been studying Arabic or French.

The program has two components - first off, the students explore Tunisia, take Tunisian Arabic lessons, and get acquainted with some of the NGOs around town. The second part is serve - where they go and spend four weeks at the English Language Village in Nabeul with Tunisian students. There, they'll be teaching English and having conversation classes.

I enjoy taking part in programs like these, because it's a great way to meet a mix of people. I get to tag along on some of the excursions, help out whenever I can with cultural/language issues and support, and just be a part of a fun program. For instance, last night we had a reception at the American Corner at Amideast. Wine was served, the Minister of Higher Education showed up, I got to meet lots of Tunisian professionals, and spend some time with Mohamed.

Afterwards, we (Lee + some of the interns) ended up at the restaurant La Petite Etoile for some late night seafood. It's out at the port in La Goulette, and is a very swanky place with great food and wine. I'd reccomend it along with La Mer and L'Amphitrite if you're interested in having some good seafood along the Mediterannean (and who isn't?). Here's one trick that keeps the bill down - don't order fish. Eat the Fruits de Mer instead - there's plenty of great mussels, smaller fish, shrimp, calamari, etc to fill you up at these seafood places, and they cost significantly less. As Lee explained to me at La Mer - the big fish are priced "SG" - which means selon grossesse, or by weight. You'll end up getting charged quite a bit and doubling the cost of your meal.

This weekend's going to be quite busy - I might be going to the city of Bizerte. If that's the case, I'll make sure to bring along my camera.