Egypt Outbound Program 2024: New Ideas and New Experiences
“It wasn’t just about what I taught but what I learned—from their resilience, ambition, and creative solutions to challenges we all face globally.” – Dalin Nhean
The Professional Fellows Program (PFP) is a U.S. State Department-funded initiative that brings professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 to U.S. cities for hands-on professional experiences at a variety of host organizations. After the program ends, Americans that hosted the Fellows at their places of work are selected for the opportunity to travel to the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region, visiting the home countries of the Fellows they once hosted.
U.S. Fellows Dalin Nhean and Maria Correa Sanchez traveled to Egypt in Fall 2024 after hosting MENA Fellows Mai Mohamed and May Mazen, at Vital Voices and the Latino Economic Development Center, respectively. Dalin and Maria toured the country, visiting universities, cultural sites, and local startups. From standing in the shadow of the pyramids to meeting with the entrepreneurs in the community, “every moment left its mark,” Dalin said.
(from left to right) Egyptian PFP Alumnus Amir Rahal, Dalin, and Maria in front of the Pyramids and Great Sphinx of Giza.
Their experience included cultural sights and experiences abound. Dalin remembered the unforgettable Tanoura dance performance, “a swirling celebration of tradition and artistry that left me mesmerized.” Yet she also noted that, despite all of the grand sights and wonders, it was the smaller moments that stayed with her. “Wandering through Khan el Khalili and soaking in the vibrant energy of the marketplace” were some of the memories she’ll cherish. “These experiences gave me a deeper appreciation for the intersection of history and modernity that defines Egypt,” Dalin remarked.
Tasked with exploring the country’s economic development, the two Fellows visited several organizations dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs. Dalin visited Threads of Hope, a community initiative empowering vulnerable women through embroidery training. Seeing their intricate work and hearing their stories reminded her of how entrepreneurship can change lives in deeply meaningful ways. Later, she joined a lively discussion at American Corner in Alexandria, where she shared her experiences with Egyptian entrepreneurs. In return, Dalin learned from their resilience, ambition, and creative solutions to shared global challenges.
Dalin and Maria speaking at an incubator workshop at ESLSCA University (Egypt).
Maria, too, broadened her perspective on social entrepreneurship and community development. She met two women from Upper Egypt who traveled 2.5 hours to learn about her work in the U.S. and explore ways to implement similar programs in their communities. “Listening to their stories highlighted the power of resilience and ingenuity,” Maria noted.
Beyond the experience itself, Maria will carry with her the lessons she took away from it. “Witnessing their grassroots efforts inspired me and reaffirmed my passion for supporting entrepreneurs through capacity building and financial empowerment,” she explained. Returning to the U.S., she comes with a renewed sense of purpose and a wealth of ideas that this experience inspired. While she has new ideas for her own work, she’s also excited to maintain the connections she built overseas with entrepreneurs and organizations.
(from left to right) Legacy MENA Coordinator Ahmed Naguib, Dalin, and Maria at an event in Cairo.
Throughout all of Dalin and Maria’s experiences, the hospitality of the Egyptian people underscored the importance of personal connection. “This journey was a powerful reminder that our work transcends borders, and that meaningful change is rooted in understanding and collaboration,” Maria shared. Both Dalin and Maria saw firsthand how such international and intercultural connection and collaboration has the potential to solve global issues.
Above all, their experiences and new ideas centered around the person-to-person connections they made: each conversation, each shared story, and each moment of mutual learning. They’re committed to supporting the economic development efforts of their new overseas network. Both giving back, and building forward, the Fellows have found new approaches to shared issues through their immersion in Egyptian businesses and culture.
About the Author: Elise Bourmatnov is the Spring 2025 International Program Development and Communications Intern for the PFP, a U.S. Department of State initiative administered by Legacy International.