Study Abroad

Egypt

American  University-Cairo

THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN CAIRO ~ An American liberal arts university in the heart of the Middle East.

The American University in Cairo was founded in 1919 by Americans devoted to education and community service in the Middle East. Today, AUC is the region’s premier English-language university--an essential contributor to the social, political and cultural life of the Arab world. It also serves as a crossroads for the world’s cultures: a vital, vibrant forum for reasoned argument, spirited debate and global understanding.

It is a vital bridge between the cultures of East and West, linking Egypt and the region to the world through scholarly research, study-abroad programs and partnerships with academic and research institutions.

AUC is an independent, nonprofit, apolitical, non-sectarian and equal-opportunity institution, fully accredited in Egypt and the United States. AUC’s academic program is rooted in liberal education and focused practice. The university’s rigorous core curriculum offers an intensive investigation of fundamental questions in every major discipline.

Our nearly 5,000 undergraduates come from every corner of Egypt and from one hundred countries around the world. When they graduate, they join a worldwide network of more than 30,000 AUC alumni, leaders in finance and commerce, law and engineering, politics and culture, community service and computer science.

AUC includes programs and research centers on the Middle East; American studies; forced migration and refugees; gender and women's studies; philanthropy and civic engagement; as well as specialized teaching programs on Arabic language and electronic journalism.

The university boasts the largest English-language library in Egypt, and AUC Press is the leading publisher of English-language books in the Arab world. The university’s new 260-acre main campus in New Cairo represents a major investment in the future of the city, the country, and the region--a state-of-the-art facility for advanced research, innovative teaching, and civic engagement.

CAIRO, EGYPT
Cairo, the capital of Egypt, is the largest city in Africa and the Middle East. Major cities like Cairo and Alexandria are a blend of many peoples and cultures resulting from successive invasions and migrations since Pharaonic times. Greeks, Romans, Armenians, Gulf Arabs and Italians among others came from outside Egypt, while within Egypt the migration of rural Egyptians to the cities continued. Cairo has played major roles in the history of three major religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It was here that the Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus rested after their long journey from Palestine, and that the first Islamic mosque in Africa was built by Amr Ibn Al-Aas. Cairo is one of the oldest, most culturally rich and exciting cities of the world. The Pyramids still stand at the western edge of Cairo, witness to the splendor of a civilization that flourished at this very spot some 5,000 years ago.

Egypt is located in the northeastern corner of Africa on the Mediterranean and Red Seas and covers an area of 386,000 square miles. Only about five percent of the country is largely inhabited along the banks of the Nile, whose course stretches over 900 miles from Sudan, where the White and Blue Nile meet, to the Mediterranean. To the west lies Libya and to the east are the desert plateau, Red Sea and Sinai. Egypt’s most fertile area is the Nile Delta. Cairo, Egypt’s capital, has 16 million inhabitants and Alexandria, the country’s second largest city, has a population of 5.5 million.

ACADEMIC PROGRAM
AUC's Summer Session is open to both Egyptian and international students, offering a selection of courses in more than 30 fields. Small class sizes enable you to work one-to-one with your professors, have access to facilities and equipment, and become an active part of the campus community.

Arabic Language
Arabic Studies
Biology
Business
Computer Science
Economics
Engineering		 Environment
History
Literature
Media
Middle East Studies
Politics
Sociology

Click here for a complete listing of courses and their descriptions. 

COURSE EQUIVALENCIES
The course equivalencies spreadsheets have been compiled from past approved Academic Plan forms.  They show when the course was last approved and how it transferred back to La Crosse.  You may notice that some classes satisfied several UWL options.

This list is not comprehensive nor does it take the place of  meeting with your advisor for final approval!  They are meant to be a guide of what courses may be appropriate for your studies abroad. 

HOUSING AND MEALS
By choosing to live in Cairo and study at AUC, you will begin an exciting and challenging life experience. Your stay in Cairo will expose you to different cultures, new people, new events and new ideas. University student housing can help you through this transition, as well as better enable you to take full advantage of all the opportunities AUC and Egypt have to offer.

While staying at the AUC housing is not obligatory, it is strongly recommended for newcomers. The student residence provides a secure environment in the hustle and bustle of Cairo. It offers a variety of services that will make your stay comfortable and enjoyable. The buildings are entirely air-conditioned, with many common facilities, including a computer lab, cafeteria, study room, wireless high speed internet access and TV with satellite channels and VCR as well as exercise equipment. Each room has a high-speed internet connection and phones for making local calls or receiving international calls. Free housekeeping services and laundry of bed linens are provided. There is also 24-hour security and a part-time clinic staffed by a physician.

Living in the student residence makes it easy to meet new friends and adapt to your new environment. Some Egyptian students from other cities or whose parents live abroad, as well as many international students from Arab countries and around the world, choose to live in student housing. It provides a secure and clean environment and has an active social and educational calendar.

Additional information may be found on their website: http://www.aucegypt.edu/StudentLife/housing/oncampus/Pages/default.aspx.

PASSPORTS & VISAS
Before you travel abroad, you will need to obtain a passport, which will serve as proof of your U.S. citizenship. A passport may allow you to gain entry to (and exit from) other countries. Depending on the country to which you're traveling, a visa may be required as well. Entry requirements vary from one country to another. The U.S. State Department issues travel warnings specific to certain countries, and offers tips and publications relevant to travel abroad generally. Well in advance of your departure, you should also familiarize yourself with international travel health issues, and health recommendations specific to your destination.

ADMISSION CRITERIA

  • A GPA. of 3.0 or better.
  • Credits completed by the end of the Spring semester:
    • 45-75 credits for Art majors
    • 45-85 credits for Science/Computer Science majors
    • 65-90 credits for Engineering majors
  • The desire to experience the world and receive academic credit for doing it!

PROGRAM DATES

For current academic calendar refer to the Program Dates.

PROGRAM FEE
The program fee includes the following:

  • Tuition (6 credits)
  • University and Administrative Fees
  • Housing (excluding meals)
  • Cultural Activities and Excursions (as arranged per course)
  • International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
  • Study Abroad Graduation Sash

Airfare is not included in the program price.
The program fee does not include a meal plan or meal stipend of any kind.

Financial Aid is applicable to program fees.

Refer to Program Fees for the most current program fee.

*The comprehensive insurance fee at AUC provides coverage in CISI Study Abroad Health Insurance (required by UW System).

All program fees subject to change. Valid for undergraduate Wisconsin residents only; out-of-state students pay Minnesota reciprocity or a non-resident surcharge.

ORIENTATION
All students will be required to attend a pre-departure orientation. The orientation will help you prepare for international travel in general, and for the experience of visiting Egypt.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Study Abroad in Egypt
New York Times Article
Tips and Advice from Program Alumni

 

● Back        ● Apply!        ● Fees        ● Dates       ● Alumni Comments

● Study Abroad Homepage        ● OIE Homepage

 

Office of International Education
1209 Centennial Hall
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
1725 State Street
La Crosse, WI 54601 USA

Telephone: 608-785-8016 Fax: 608-785-8923 E-Mail: studyabroad@uwlax.edu