While media reported on many Americans returning to the U.S. from Cairo when anti-government protests broke out about a week ago, one student from Crawford County plans to stay and finish his studies before coming home.
Tim Larsen, 23, graduated from Tiffin University last spring with a bachelor's degree in law enforcement.
He earned a minor in homeland security and terrorism, with the aim eventually to work for the federal government. But first, he decided to spend a year abroad in Cairo at American University studying Arabic, a connection he made through TU.
Originally from Sycamore and a graduate of Wynford High School, Larsen also wanted to take the opportunity to learn about Middle Eastern cultures, experiencing them firsthand.
He started classes in Cairo in June, studying mostly with Egyptian students, but also many Americans, as well as students from Europe, Asia and other parts of Africa.
When he heard news of the turmoil in Tahrir Square, an area a few miles from the dorm where Larsen is living, he trusted the judgment of his Egyptian friends to determine how everything would come out and if they were safe where they were.
He heard about the protest from others first, then started seeing stories in the news.
"I mainly wanted to see how things were going to play out," he said, writing from Zamalek where his dormitory is, a section of Cairo that is a small island in the Nile where many embassies are and a large number of American expatriates live.
"This is one of the safest areas in Cairo at the moment. We have not experienced any of the major protests or riots seen throughout Cairo," he said.
Media have reported on the difficulties for Egyptians to get food and money during the protests, but the truth is that's a difficulty many Egyptians have every day, Larsen said.
"The protests have increased some prices even higher. Zamalek had experience some shortages of water and very basic food supplies; however, that only lasted about a day," he said.
Larsen has stayed away from the protests, feeling it was too dangerous to go, especially after violence between protesters and police during the first few days of turmoil.
"Several students still attended the protests, and one person that I saw did receive very minor injuries," he said. "I believe he was hit in the face with a rock. Tear gas did drift from Tahrir Square over to the dormitory here. It burned our eyes and throats, so we had to keep students inside for a time while the wind blew it away."
The first major events of the protest were started by three Egyptians who set themselves on fire, mimicking several Tunisians who had done the same in their country during protests that brought down its president.
"From there, the fire grew and the protesting began," Larsen said.
Tunisia is a North African country west of Libya. Libya is between Egypt and Tunisia.
"I am happy for the Egyptian people, that they are standing up for 30 years of abuse by the government, and hope this situation ends well for them," he said.
He feels completely secure within Zamalek.
As a resident assistant in the dorm this semester, with other RAs, he's been maintaining shifts to guard the building and make sure students are provided for.
"Thieves and looters have also been rampant in the last few days, protecting themselves and their communities," Larsen said. "Every night we see cars and people traveling through makeshift checkpoints in the streets set up by civilians here to make sure no suspicious people come into the area."
There have been a few false alarms where they thought the crowds or thieves were headed to the area, and during such moments, they armed themselves with stick or poles.
"Anything we can find to protect ourselves to stand guard," he said.
Cell phone and Internet service was down during the beginning of the protests, but after four days, Larsen contacted his family to tell them he was safe.
"I trusted that my family would know I would never put myself in a situation I didn't feel comfortable with," he said.
Getting information from the U.S. government was difficult. Several students were turned away form the embassy and told to check online, even though there was not such service available.
Rumors were flying about whether Americans were required to leave the country and what their status was as citizens, he said.
Mostly though, he's been extremely disappointed in what he has seen from the American media.
"I have found that these major networks are blowing things out of proportion and twisting things to play on our fears," Larsen said. "The idea that Islamic militants are trying to take over the government does not belong in any conversation."
"The simple idea is that the people are fed up with a corrupt government and a president who they do not want anymore. They want to live, be happy, and provide for their families just like everyone else," he said.
"They are people, just like us. This has nothing to do with religion and I am disappointed in people turning it into that," Larsen said.
He also believes the U.S. and Obama administration have done a poor job of dealing with the situation.
"When Robert Gibbs (White House press secretary) was speaking at the press conference the other day, it seemed that the only English he knew was, 'We are monitoring a fluid situation in Egypt.' It was a shame that he had nothing of substance to contribute," Larsen said.
For now, classes are scheduled to resume at American University Feb. 13, and Larsen plans to finish out the semester and return to the U.S. and live in Washington, almost year after he started in Cairo.