Language barriers and cultural differences are only basic difficulties experienced by many traveling to foreign countries. However, junior David Eskandar, an Egyptian transfer student, found the transition between countries easier than expected.

Eskandar rejoined the student body this year after leaving FC several years ago, returning to his homeland for personal reasons. Though he had already experienced living in America, he misses his home and culture in Cairo.

“I loved living in Egypt,” Eskandar said. “It’s my home. I have a lot of friends, a lot of things to do anytime and I just love it. You have to love your own country.”

Despite a passion for his homeland, Eskandar felt more relaxed after his relocation to America, due to religious persecution.

“Nowadays it’s hard for a Christian to live in Egypt,” Eskandar said, “after all the wars with the Arabs, and what’s happening in Palestine and Israel, because about 90% percent of the population follows Islam.”

Very few of Eskandar’s interests moved with him in his return to the United States, his activities transitioning from boating on the Nile to video games. However, his enthusiasm for soccer continued.

Eskandar participated on the campus team for the last half of the season as a midfielder and forward.

“I was interested in soccer because it’s a smart sport, unlike football or rugby,” Eskandar said. “I don’t like sports where the big guy always wins. I kept playing because people said I have a talent that can be developed.”

Eskandar used soccer as a connection back to home. Teammate Shane Darakjian, ’09, recognizes Eskandar as a positive supplement to the team.

“As a teammate, [Eskandar] knew that coming into the season late was going to be tough, but he kept working hard at practice and was able to play some games and even score a goal,” Darakjian said.

As a late addition to the team, Eskandar found assimilation into the group and its techniques difficult.

“My decision to play came so late in the season because I thought I couldn’t join after the season had already started,” Eskandar said. “But I’m glad I joined because I got to experience playing soccer in the pouring rain, a muddy mess all over the field. That’s something I’ve never done before.”

After the soccer season, Eskandar planned to join the tennis team, but decided against doing so because he enrolled in an off-campus chemistry class. Aside from his studies, Eskandar says he spends lots of his time at home on game consoles.

“I had lots to do in Egypt, but here the Xbox and PlayStation are my best friends,” Eskandar said. “I always love playing soccer games and Call of Duty.”

While in America Eskandar enjoys playing video games, in his homeland he spent most of his time on the Nile, at parties with his friends or golfing.

“I had a boat on the Nile that I used to drive all day and I would travel on weekends to Sharm El Sheikh or Hurgada,” Eskandar said. “It was really fun; I wish I could go back.”

Senior Taylor Motte befriended Eskandar despite their cultural differences.

“David is a really cool guy,” Motte said. “We have a bunch in common even though we are from different places in the world. He is fun to be around and always energetic.”

Eskandar is reminded of his nostalgia for his home in Egypt when he drives his car to school every day.

“My car reminds me of Egypt, because I drive the same kind of car here that I used to drive back home,” Eskandar said. “I miss the people, my friends.”

After high school, Eskandar plans on moving to Florida and learning how to fly. Eskandar said he plans to either take over his dad’s business or start his own small business.

“Flying has been something I’ve really wanted to do for a long time,” Eskandar said. “When I was a little kid in Egypt, I used to wear a pilot suit every Halloween.”

Despite the fact that Eskandar has chosen to stay in America throughout the rest of his high school years and possibly after, he says his love for Egypt will remain a huge part of his life.

For more information on exchange students, visit Ellie Park’s Feb. 2 article, Exchange student mentors Korean kids.