Introduction

In 2001, Rebecca Chandler quit her work in the hectic New York City advertising world as a content producer and moved to Cairo, Egypt to accept a Producer's role at a local film and video production company. It was Rebecca's first time living overseas - her first time as an expat. Culture Shock does not begin to describe the journey Rebecca discovered as she tried to assimilate, somehow, as a single American woman into Cairo's lifestyle and Egyptian culture. As Rebecca navigated expat life, she wrote long emails home chronicling the ups and downs, triumphs and tribulations. This story is a collection of Rebecca's emails home and reflect an expat's perception of Egypt in 2001 and 2002 - well before the Arab Spring. This is a draft - feedback very welcome.