I interviewed two of me collogues who were in different groups and asked about their experience.

The first colleague described his experience as a very enjoyable one. He mentioned that he enjoyed learning about students from different cultures and getting to know more about their backgrounds, interests, and ways of thinking. They found it fascinating to see how people from various parts of the world could connect over shared experiences and values, despite cultural differences. They also mentioned that the ALTCV helped break the initial awkwardness and made it easier to find common interests and topics to talk about. They appreciated how the breakout rooms were organized with different questions for each group, and said this structure made it easier to connect with others and have meaningful conversations.

The second colleague told me that the Zoom meeting was a very interesting experience. He said it was exciting to interact with people different countries such as Tunisia and U.S. They shared their ALTCVs and discussed their opinions about them, which served as a great icebreaker and made the conversation flow more naturally throughout the meeting. They also mentioned that we learned about Cohen’s tourist typology. It was explained as a way of classifying tourists into four categories:  the organized mass tourist, individual mass tourist, explorer and drifter.

As for myself, after reading about Cohen’s tourist typology, I believe I fall into the category of the explorer tourist. I love connecting with people from other countries and exploring new cultures, traditions, and lifestyles. I enjoy stepping outside of typical tourist activities and immersing myself in the local way of life.

Furthermore, I shared my ALTCV with a student on campus who is not Egyptian. The student was from France, and she immediately noticed that I included personal interests such as shopping, baking, skincare, and spending time with pets and friends. She said it felt very real and gave her a genuine sense of my personality. She also mentioned that my love for baking reminded her of a close friend, whose love language was baking for others. She said it was surprising how much the visuals on my ALTCV revealed about me without me having to say anything. Because we had similar interests, she felt like she already knew me.This interaction made me reflect on how sharing personal hobbies can help break cultural barriers and create space for more meaningful conversations. It was a unique and effective way to express who I am beyond words.