New Editor takes Caravan helm

Maram Shalaby says she has a secret plan.

“Let’s just say that there are new things the Caravan will be doing this semester that weren’t there before,” said Shalaby, who this week worked on the first issue of the student newspaper as its editor-in-chief.

From reporter to editor, Shalaby has gone through all the journalistic milestones. During her high school years in Kuwait, she worked in a national newspaper for two years.

“I was a reporter the first year and an editor the second year. This was the [experience] that made me realize I can’t do anything else in my life except journalism,” Shalaby said.

“My passion for journalism is the main thing that motivates me to do what I am doing right now. It makes me feel like I have an obligation towards my community and this itself pushes me to improve and give my best,” she added.

She also traveled to Denmark to the Danish School of Media and Journalism during Spring 2014 for a semester abroad.

“[My experience] in Denmark has taught me a lot starting from things that would relate to my field to things that would help me in my personal life,” Shalaby said.

Traveling opened a new window to the world beyond for Shalaby, and she soon began to fall in love with meeting new people and discovering new cultures.

But her heart is always in Egypt, which continues to be in transition.

It is these socio-political changes – exacerbated over the past four years – that have raised the role of media in development.

“Egypt is facing very hard times and journalists are suffering because of it. We are supposed to be the population’s watchdog, but this is not happening because many journalists are worried,” Shalaby said.

She added that the government should learn to accept criticism so that journalists can safely write any “taboo” related-topic freely and cover any wrongdoings happening in the country.

The scribe’s journey

Shalaby’s journey with the Caravan first began in Fall 2013 when she worked as a spotlight editor.

“I thought I had to take it to the next level and become the Editor-in-Chief this year because I have so many ideas that I want to implement in the newspaper,” Shalaby said.

“[I want the newspaper] to be more interactive within the AUC community on our different online platforms … I also want it to cover more business, sports and technology articles,” Shalaby said.

Working as a journalist or an editor, even in a scholastic setting, is stressful.

But Maram has activities that do away with the pangs that come with responsibility and leadership.

“I enjoy dancing so much and I do it all the time. So, if you pass by the newsroom [and find me dancing,] don’t be shocked,” she said.

But what’s a Caravan editor without a passion for pizza?

A tradition, perhaps, but pizza has become the leading comfort food for editors-in-chief and their staff.

Beyond the culinary cushions, Shalaby says she has a great support system in her parents, who are her biggest role models.

“[My dad] always pushes me forward to be a better person… I wish I could be as successful as he is one day.”