Study in Cairo, Egypt

  Egypt

Cairo

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring 
Dates: Academic Year: Early September-Mid June; Fall: Early September-Late January; Spring: Late January-Mid June

Description: UW-Madison works with the American University in Cairo (AUC) to offer students this academic program in Cairo, Egypt. Participants pursue an American-style education in the dynamic environment of the contemporary Arab world. The gateway to the ancient crossroads between Africa, Europe, and Asia, Cairo is the cultural capital of the Arabic-speaking world. With a population of over six million, Cairo is also the largest urban center in both the Arab world and Africa. AUC moved to a new new technologically advanced campus located in the suburb of New Cairo during the Fall of 2008.

Students choose to live in AUC residence halls or find off-campus housing. For on-campus housing, students can live either downtown or on the New Cairo campus. The downtown housing is located on Gezira, a large island in the residential district of Zamalek. The downtown campus is a 1.5 hours ride by shuttlebus from the AUC campus is New Cairo. The New Cairo campus housing features cottages and townhouses with single, double and apartment-style living. The residence halls are staffed with Resident Directors and assistants. Meal plans are available in the residence halls.

Highlights: As one of the world's oldest cities, Cairo features an unparalleled wealth of monuments from over 5,000 years of civilization: the Pyramids, the mosques and minarets of the medieval city, and the treasures of a dozen museums. Cairo holds a unique place in the modern history of the Middle East. A leading power among the developing nations since the 1950's, Egypt was among the first nations to undergo economic modernization. Egypt has also been a leader among Middle East countries in promoting peaceful relations with Israel. Today, students will find a mix of the ancient and the modern in everyday life. Muslim religion and culture play a dominant role in shaping Egyptian political and social life. Arabic is the official language, although English and French are widely understood as well.

AUC has active student organizations which regularly sponsor trips and tours to more distant sites. Students may have opportunities to explore the Nile Valley, the remote western oases, the Red Sea with its fascinating coral beds, and the austerely beautiful peninsula of Sinai. Students may also participate in a number of different sports and a diverse range of academic, social, and cultural student organizations at AUC. One of the organizations, Friends of International Students, is composed of Egyptian students who serve as mentors and friends to help international students integrate into Egyptian life. Students attend an orientation conducted at AUC that includes lectures about Cairo, tours of medieval and ancient Egyptian sites, and sessions on cultural adjustment.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Experience Required: yes

Students must have completed 30 academic credits. Preference is given to students with a GPA of 3.0 and above.

This Program is open to American Participants.

Scholarships are Available. Contact us for more information.

Application Process Involves:

• Essay
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Transcript

Post-Program Services Include:

• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home