Study Abroad
Egypt
American University-Cairo
Spring Application Deadline: July 15
THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN CAIRO
The American University in
Cairo was founded in 1919 by Americans devoted to education and service
in the Middle East. AUC’s chosen role in Egyptian education is to
compliment the offerings of the public institutions. It offers an
American-style liberal education, the language of instruction is English
and each undergraduate degree program includes general requirements in
the major branches of knowledge. In contrast, the Egyptian universities
follow the European pattern of requiring students to specialize in their
chosen major throughout their undergraduate program.
The American University in Cairo 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 original university building, which opened in 1920, was constructed as a palace in the 1860s for the Minister of Education Khairy Pasha. The building briefly became the headquarters of the Egyptian University (now Cairo University) in the early 1900s and was acquired by AUC in 1919. The palace now houses central administrative and faculty offices, a number of classrooms, and Ewart Memorial Hall, one of the most culturally active auditoriums in Cairo. The main campus features beautiful gardens and a fountain area as well as outdoor basketball and tennis courts.
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.
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 study
abroad program is one of direct enrollment, meaning that students select
courses from
general undergraduate listings
and are not limited to a fixed set of courses. All courses are taught in
English.
Courses are available in the following disciplines:
|
Accounting African Studies American Studies Anthropology Arabic Studies Archeological Chemistry Art Biology Business Administration Chemistry Computer Science |
Economics Egyptology English & Comparative Literature Environmental Science Film Gender Studies History I-S Journalism & Mass Communication |
Management Mathematics Middle East Studies Music Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Sociology Theatre |
The undergraduate catalog is available from this website: http://catalog.aucegypt.edu/index.php?catoid=4.
Arabic Language Institute
Since the inception of what
is now the Arabic Language Institute in the 1970s, this program has
attracted students from the United States, Africa, Asia and Europe,
offering intensive courses in both modern standard and Egyptian
colloquial Arabic. Those who do not plan to
pursue Arabic as seriously but who want to learn about Arab culture and
society in general to function on a daily basis should at least take
colloquial Arabic. Being in Egypt affords one a unique opportunity to
practice Arabic conversation while studying it, and knowing some spoken
Arabic will make any visitor’s stay in Egypt a more enjoyable
experience.
The program fee includes the Survival Arabic course in Egyptian colloquial Arabic, taught prior to the start of fall and spring semesters.
In addition, the Arabic Language Institute coordinates other trips and two optional long weekend trips each semester. The typical additional expense for all trips is US$ 350 per semester. In the past, some of the weekend destinations have included: Aswan, Abu Simbel and Luxor Nile cruise, Sinai (St. Catherine, Sharm El-Sheikh and Dahab), Siwa Oasis and Matruh, Monastries of the Red Sea/Wadi El-Natrun Monastries, Farafra and Baharyia Oasis, Hurghada, and Ismailia/Fayoum.
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
The program fee
includes housing in Zamalek Residence Hall, a beautiful student
residence located in the residential district of Zamalek. AUC's student
residence just a short drive from the main campus, with a shuttle bus to
and from the university every 20 minutes. The dormitory is part of an
eleven-story building that houses both students and faculty. Security
guards protect the facility 24 hours a day. Separate entrances to male
and female sections ensure privacy; while common areas on the ground
floor provide comfortable settings for receiving guests, group studying,
watching international programming or videos, dining and socializing.
These areas are also the scene of a diverse number of social,
educational and cultural activities.
The 500 square meter ground floor is also home to a computer room, small gymnasium, a branch of the AUC bookstore, student lounge, medical clinic, and the dormitory cafeteria. A central courtyard which provides a relaxing outdoor oasis in which students can escape the hustle and bustle of metropolitan Cairo. Surrounded by a well-tended garden and decorative fountain, the courtyard is a popular meeting point for students as well as a perfect setting for outdoor gatherings during most of the year.
The third through sixth floors of the building feature spacious student accommodations. Each room consists of twin beds, desks, chairs, bookshelves, wardrobes and telephone. Each room has a temperature control unit, which allows students to adjust the air-conditioning or heating to provide maximum comfort. All students are provided with bedding and linens. Personal laundry service is available at a moderate price.
The residence also has an extensive community service program. One of the cornerstones of residence life, this program involves students in a wide range of activities to benefit Cairo’s less privileged. Residents visit orphanages, children’s cancer hospitals, and other institutions, as well as raising money for humanitarian causes through yard sales, donation boxes and individual contributions.
Meals are not included in the program fee. Five days a week AUC cafeterias serve hot meals and snacks for about $7 per meal. Noon and evening meals at inexpensive local restaurants cost about $7 to $10 each. A student's average monthly food budget might be $450 ($15 per day x 30 days). Some spend more; others less.
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
2.5 GPA minimum, 2.75+ GPA preferred
Second-semester sophomore standing (45 credits minimum), Junior
standing preferred
Open to students from other universities
PROGRAM DATES
- Fall: mid-August to end-December
- Spring: mid-January to end-May
For current academic calendar refer to the Program Dates.
PROGRAM FEE
The program fee includes the following:
- Tuition (15 credits) and UW-L Administrative Fees
- AUC Administrative Fees
- Survival Arabic pre-session intensive language course
- Student Services and Activities Fees
- Medical Services Fee and Comprehensive Insurance Fee*
- Study Abroad Program Orientation Fee (on site)
- Housing
- Orientation to Study Abroad Class
- 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).
FOR MORE
INFORMATION
http://www.aucegypt.edu/intlspecial/study_abroad.htm
Tips and Advice from Program Alumni
● Back ● Apply! ● Fees ● Dates ● Alumni Comments
● Study Abroad Homepage ● OIE Homepage
Office of
International Education
116 Graff Main 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 |