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Yasser Arafat Payne, assistant professor of Black American Studies (BAMS), who directed the recent BAMS Study Abroad Program, spoke of his group's experiences in Cairo as the protests began.It was his first study abroad trip, his first time in Egypt, and only his second time out of the country.He and his 10 students witnessed the chaos under a communications black-out.We hugged each other a lot to keep our spirits up, he said. In many respects, we were, in fact, a family.Thus, Payne said, his group came to learn the focus of the
study-abroad -- the ancient Egyptian concept of Ma'at, which stands
for balance, order, peace and righteousness.Audrey Helfman, associate professor in the School of Public Policy and Administration
who directed the LEAD study-abroad trip to Egypt and Morocco, reminded
the audience that leaders need to listen to their people. People need
an opportunity to present their voices.