Egypt

STUDY ABROAD IN THE MIDDLE EAST: EGYPT

Program: American University in Cairo / Fordham Direct Enroll
Location: Cairo, Egypt

Is this Program Right for You? Founded in 1919, the American University in Cairo (AUC) provides high quality educational opportunities to students from all segments of Egyptian society as well as from other countries, and contributes to Egypt's cultural and intellectual life. The university offers programs at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels as well as an extensive continuing education program.

Throughout its history, AUC has balanced a strong commitment to liberal education with a concern for the region's needs for practical applications and professional specializations. Today, AUC emphasizes liberal education and all undergraduate students take a common set of courses in the humanities and the natural and social sciences as part of the university's core curriculum. In addition, the university maintains its strong commitment to fostering understanding across world regions, cultures and religions.

Programs offered through 19 departments are organized in three schools: Humanities and Social Sciences; Sciences and Engineering; and Business, Economics and Communication. Educational training and major research projects continue to be carried out through its Center Adult and Continuing Education, the Desert Development Center, the Social Research Center, and the Center for Arabic Studies.

The university is located on Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, near government ministry buildings, hotels and commercial areas, the National Cultural Center, and the Egyptian Museum. The campus covers parts of five city blocks. Gracefully situated on the main campus are a converted palace, outdoor basketball and tennis courts, gardens, and a fountain area. Located a half block from the main campus, the "Greek" campus, acquired in the 1960s, contains the university's social science departments, the Jameel Management Center, the Center for Adult and Continuing Education, a cafeteria, and the university's library.

Other sections of city blocks near the main campus contain AUC classrooms, student services, offices, and a special collection and rare books library. In 2001 a major new academic center building was completed on the Falaki campus. This multi-story building contains new classrooms and faculty offices and includes new theaters for performing and visual arts productions and other events.

The Courses/Program: Each year, students from dozens of college and universities across North America and around the world enroll at AUC for one or more terms, usually during the third or junior year. Visiting students take intensive courses in both Modern Standard and Colloquial Arabic as well as courses in liberal arts, social sciences, science, and business. As visiting students, participants are not limited to a set number of courses but rather select courses from the general undergraduate listings available to all AUC students. The language of instruction is English and small classes encourage open dialogue between faculty and students. The background and interest of participating students are as varied as the countries they represent. There is an active student body and a busy calendar of academic events and extracurricular activities as well as sightseeing and travel opportunities.

The university’s International Student Services Office provides guidance, care and support to international students. It also offers services and activities that reflect and celebrate the cultural diversity of AUC, and enhance integration among international students and community members

Housing: The American University in Cairo operates a beautiful student residence located in the residential district of Zamalek. The Residence is a short drive from the university, and is served by a campus shuttle bus every 20 minutes. It is part of an eleven story building designed to serve both student and faculty needs. Separate entrances to the male and female sections of the Residence ensure privacy while common reception areas on the ground floor provide comfortable areas for receiving guests, group study and socializing. These common areas are also the stage for a diverse array of social, educational, and cultural activities.

Duration: Fall/Spring/Academic Year

Requirements: 3.0 GPA and Fordham approval.

Application Deadlines: (A copy of the program application must be provided to ISAP).
Fall Semester: June 15 / Spring Semester: November 1

Program Cost Includes: tuition, ousing, medical insurance and orientation costs. For more information: www.aucegypt.edu. Catalogues are available in ISAP’s Resource Rooms. Please note: The information on this sheet is for reference purposes only. It is your responsibility to confirm details and deadlines.

Program: Middlebury Alexandria Center and Alexandeia University / Middlebury College
Location: Alexandria, Egypt

Is this Program Right for You? The Middlebury School in the Middle East is located in the city of Alexandria, Egypt. Founded in 332 B.C. by Alexander the Great, Alexandria is located on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast, only 225 kilometers from Cairo. Once the capital of Greco-Roman Egypt, Alexandria is rich in cultural, commercial, and academic heritage which has lead to it being called the “Pearl of the Mediterranean.” Today a bustling metropolis and major seaport, Alexandra has an international presence which offers students an authentic Arabic immersion experience in a global context.

The Middlebury program is designed to immerse every student as completely as possible in both the language and the culture of Egypt. The students will take classes in the center through one-on-one tutorials with all course work taught in Arabic. The program strongly encourages students to become a part of their local communities and actively participate in a variety of co-curricular activities in which they have an interest. Because the experience of a full academic year abroad is greater —linguistically, culturally, and academically—than the experience gained during a shorter period, Middlebury College strongly recommends that undergraduates enroll for the full year whenever possible.

In order to take full advantage of their semester or year abroad, students are asked to adhere to the spirit of the Language Pledge. This pledge is a commitment to use Arabic at all times. All students are strongly encouraged to spend a summer at a Middlebury College Language School before embarking on a semester or a year abroad. Students have found that this gives them the skills and confidence they need to live more independently in the host country and to enter more easily into co-curricular activities that bring them into direct contact with people in the host country.

The Courses/Program: Students take all courses in Arabic either at the Middlebury College Language School for one-on-one tutorials in spoken and modern Arabic, and electives in liberal arts disciplines. Academic year students can enroll for one of their courses at Alexandria University for their second semester.

Housing: Students live with host families or in student apartments with native Arabic speakers.

Duration/Deadlines:
• Fall Semester: early September – mid-December / Application Deadline: March 15th
• Spring Semester: mid-January – late May / Application Deadline: October 1st

Requirements: 3.0 GPA
• Must enroll in Arabic course the semester prior to entering program or attend summer Language School
• 4 semesters of Arabic or equivalent
• B average in Arabic courses and B average in major

Program Cost includes: Tuition, housing is billed separately to individual students directly by Middlebury College. For more information: www.middlebury.edu. Catalogues are available in ISAP’s Resource Rooms. Please note: The information on this sheet is for reference purposes only. It is your responsibility to confirm details and deadlines. (Updated 2/20/08).