Egyptian students react to president's resignation
Halfway around the globe Egyptians are watching the latest developments in their country's future. The president resigned Friday morning.
They stood strong and they didn't back down and that's really important, said Yassin.
Of course this is my happiest day of my life. Because after 30 years of struggling, 30 years of suffering? We've finally received what we're asking for. We're born again into this new era where we are free and independent and finally enjoy democracy, said Aya Yassin, an Egyptian student at the UW.
I consider Egypt to be my homeland. I feel part of my fellow Egyptians right now because it's a moment we celebrate together. I feel proud ot be an Egyptian right now, said Zeyad El Omari, an Egyptian studenat the the UW.
Scott Trigg is studying to get a PhD in Middle East History and recently spent a summer in Cairo.
I think it's a day that could go down in history parallel with 1989 - The beginning of a major change that could affect the whole region, said Trigg.
Trigg believes events like Jordan shuflfing it's government and Tunisia's president resigning were the start of a region wide movement that will continue.
The people who have suffered under a corrupt, sor tof an institutiionalized authoritarian regime have realized that regime is not as tough or intimidating as it may have appeared. When they bend together they can affect real change, said Trigg.
For Yassin and her family back home, it's a new beginning.
I talked to my friends right after he resigned and you could just tell everyone is happy - Egypt has this new era. They are all excited about what's going to come next. Even though everyone knows it's going to take a while for the country to get back on its feet. But the Egyptians got what they wanted, said Yassin.