Center for Arab-West Understanding

Hear from our ex interns!

We've worked with many interns over the years, from every corner of the global. Hear from a few on how they found CAWU! If you're thinking of applying, check out our pinned post about our internships - applications open mid-May.

Yesterday, we took a trip to visit the Monastery of Saint Simon the Tanner, located in the side of Mokattam Mountain. These churches just east of the Manshiyat Nasir serve the coptic community living here. Saint Simon the Tanner Hall St Mark’s Church, the smaller of the two cave churches was first created in the 1970s through the removal of a large quantity of rock. The church was named after Saint Mark, who first brought the Gospel to Egypt nad can hold 5,000 people.

The second church, the larger Cathedral of Virgin Mary and St Simon the Tanner, was built later to accommodate the growing church, with seating for 20,000 making it the largest church in the Middle East. St Simon the Tanner was a 10th-century saint, who was key in the moving of Mokattam Montain as ordered by Al Muizz. The story of St Simon the Tanner is visible throughout the Monastery, with images of his blinding and distribution of water.

Along with witnessing a service and exploring the monastery, a few of our interns enjoyed the zipline that allows a view of Manshiyat Nasir and the rest of Cairo beyond!