1-What made you interested in Echo?

Hesham: In order to focus on other things besides studying; it was also a great opportunity to develop one’s personality and gain new experience.

Mohamed: At first it was not Echo the magazine, it was a tool to give feedback about anything on campus.

2-How did it all begin?

We began to ask students in other universities to understand how they manage their own magazines and how they started up. We also took workshops in order to learn how to write an article, story or a report. During our one month vacation, we learnt the basic outlines of how to manage a magazine.

3- The first issue:

Mahmoud: We worked in an external design house. For two months we came from 1 pm to 6 pm. We nearly lived there.

Hesham: At the beginning it was designed by a company, later on, we started designing it here at the GUC, in-house by our graphic designer Noha Khattab.

Finally, on the German Open Day, Echo was published. It was kept secretly in the examination office; it was a surprise for everyone. Quality is a thing we can’t give up.

4-What was your vision of Echo?

We wanted a magazine that allowed freedom of speech and combined fun with education, while adding to one’s knowledge. Something that is open, honest and constructive; based on taking action instead of only talking.

5- What were the obstacles that you faced?

We faced numerous obstacles. We knew very little about the difference between writing a report and a story, and most of the team had zero journalism experience. To succeed we needed to gain more knowledge. We had a lot of difficulty trying to publish Echo on time. We also wanted to make a functional system, a fully functional magazine that reflects the GUC honestly.

6- So, tell me what is your favorite section in Echo and why?

Mahmoud: “On Target” and “News Shots” as it is very interesting for me and others.

esham: “On Target” and “Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down”. It reflects people’s opinions and choices.

Mohamed: Well, of course the “On Target” page, the “Character of the Issue” and “Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down”. I’m sure that most of the students feel the same way.

7- What are your hopes for Echo?

Mahmoud: That it has a consistent team. That sticks to deadlines, and to see the magazine published at least three times a year.

Hesham: To maintain and improve the magazine’s standards in topics, pictures, language and quality of printed papers and to gain more members.

Mohamed: I hope that you’ll do what we couldn’t achieve. We went through a hard and long process to make Echo this way.

8 - If you could describe Echo in one word or sentence; what would it be?

Our baby. We started it and watched it grow.

9 - Missing Echo

Mahmoud: It will be difficult to get used to the idea that Echo is being published and I’m not part of the team.

Hesham: I will miss the chance to ask celebrities what goes on in their minds. We have met Amr Musa, the German Ambassador, Martin Kobler, the famous actress Yousra and many others. It is one of the advantages of being an Echo member.

Mohamed: I’ll miss the first five minutes in every meeting where everyone is laughing happily before the arguing begins.

10 - What are your future plans?

Hesham: Apply for my Master’s and get a PhD; hopefully outside Egypt. When I come back I want to work in GUC. It is a very special place.

We definitely hope to join the academic staff.

Quotes: “A person can never be perfect; but it makes a difference when you struggle for what you want.” Mahmoud “Try to reflect your opinion, and know that students are your real audience.” - Hesham “My advice is never losing hope or faith in anything that you do, especially Echo.” Mohamed “A phase has ended and another has started. It is your turn to make Echo your own baby.” Echo founders

The Egyptian “Youth Magazine” (Megalet El-Shabab) published a report about Echo magazine last November saying: “The German University in Cairo launched a new magazine targeting the students and reflecting the students’ lives, their news, dreams, social relations with doctors and professors and many other topics. The new magazine is published with very high quality, and is a great number of students worked on that outcome. Among those students were: Sally Hussein, Walaa amer, Sarah Mahmoud, Hala Adel, Ahmed Essam and many others” Echo team would like to thank “Megalet El-Shabab” for the coverage and great support to the magazine. It’s not a new magazine though