Cairo and Lexington have one thing in common: Ahmed Osama. Osama is an exchange student coming from the bustling city of Cairo, Egypt where he lived with his 12 cats.

“It’s way different. It’s pretty crowded in Cairo, but here it’s so empty” said Osama. “We live in apartments, not houses like they do here.”

Although a large cultural contrast exists between Lexington and Cairo, Osama has found a passion in American movies and literature.

His favorite movies are ones with plot twists such as “Shutter Island,” “Inception,” and “Mr. Nobody.”

“I like these because you don’t see the end coming. They are really well done,” said Osama.

As a book aficionado, Osama’s favorite class is English.

“I love books. I want to be a writer or a director,” said Osama. “I’m writing my own novel. It’s about when you have to make a decision, you’re faced with many options. These options, they are like voices in your head. I’m making these voices into people.”

Osama does not have a favorite book; instead, every book is at an equal level in his mind.

“I think every book I read inspires me in a special way. You know, I get something unique and different from each one.”