Kaitlyn McCoy ’26 didn’t just study ancient Egyptian history in January. She lived it.
McCoy was part of the Egypt: Temples, Tombs and Ancient Egyptian Religion course. The study abroad opportunity was part of a pilot program offering departmental courses during Interim. The course was taught by Dr. Jessica Tomkins, assistant professor of history, and counted as a general education course.
“We learned about the gods that were worshipped, the kings who served and the architecture built in honor of the kings and gods at the time,” says McCoy, a biology major from Greensboro, North Carolina. “What was so unique about this experience was having the opportunity to learn about a specific temple or tomb of a king while standing inside it.”
The trip included time in Cairo and Luxor, as well as a cruise down the Nile River. The group visited the Step Pyramid of Saqqara, the Bent Pyramid at Dahshur and the Great Pyramids of Giza. They also toured the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.
“They were able to see the architectural development of pyramids over time,” Tomkins says. “I think many students were surprised by the strong reaction they had to seeing the mummies of the pharaohs in the museum, which became an unexpected highlight.”
Tomkins, an Egyptologist, says her goal was to pass her passion and knowledge of ancient Egypt to Wofford students.
“By seeing these places in person, students were able to understand their monumentality and to experience the spaces as ancient Egyptians would have,” Tomkins says. “I can teach about these places in the classroom, but there is no substitute for learning about something and then seeing it in person to truly understand its purpose and significance.”
Strom Thurmond III ’26, a biology major from Aiken, South Carolina, was fascinated by the architecture and the intricate artwork. He was surprised that two sites hundreds of miles apart featured nearly identical artwork.
“The ancient Egyptians were very good at learning artwork/hieroglyphs and replicating them perfectly,” Thurmond says.
Thurmond and McCoy both say the group was warmly welcomed by the people they encountered. McCoy and several of her friends were invited to share a blanket, tea and food with four women watching their children playing soccer.
“One of the women took off her Niqab so we could see her talk and smile, which I found to be so special that she felt comfortable enough to do this in front of us,” says McCoy. “This felt so special and made me feel even more welcomed into her group, and truly was a special moment I will not forget.”
Tomkins hopes to lead more trips, for students and non-students as well. She wants future participants to have the type of transformative experience as this year’s group.
“I truly believe that everyone from this year’s Interim will remember their trip to Egypt for the rest of their lives, and I want as many people as possible to experience my favorite place in the world,” Tomkins says. “I hope as many people as possible take advantage of the rare opportunity to travel to Egypt with an Egyptologist.”