American University of Cairo

Background

Founded in 1919, the AUC was established by private American citizens devoted to education and service in the Middle East. Unlike its more traditional Egyptian counterparts, the AUC offers a liberal style of education modeled after universities in the US. The language of instruction is English even though 87% of its student population speaks Arabic as a primary language. The university’s unique curriculum and international recognition has propelled it into the top rankings of Egyptian higher education. Today, it is among Egypt’s most competitive universities to gain entry. Located in central Cairo, the campus provides easy access to city’s amenities and cultural life.

Academic Overview

Participants of the American University of Cairo exchange enroll full-time as "exchange students" at the university (as opposed to degree-seeking students). As exchange students, participants take regular university classes and enjoy the same privileges and support services as degree-seeking students. These benefits include access to university library and computing facilities, university housing, counseling services, sporting clubs, student organizations and special events. The only exception to this standard is Student Financial Aid which is administered by the University of Washington.

Dates of Instruction

The AUC’s academic year is divided into two semesters: Fall Semester begins in late August and ends in mid-December; Spring Semester begins in early January and ends in early June. The AUC closes for Egyptian national holidays, Islamic religious holidays, Eastern and Western Christian holidays, Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. The longest vacation period is the semester break in December (approximately ten days). AUC classes are held Sundays through Thursdays. On Fridays the Muslim Sabbath is observed and classed do not convene. During the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, class schedules are adjusted to accommodate the shortened workday.

Program Housing

Students are provided housing in the AUC's residence halls as part of their exchange fee. Students living in the residence halls are generally undergraduates and single. As many Egyptian students live at home and commute to the campus, the residence halls are a mix of Egyptian and international students. If a student wishes to arrange off-campus accommodations, s/he will still be required to pay the housing portion of the exchange fee. Furnished flats are available for rent at reasonable rates off campus. Home stays are not common in Egypt.

As Egyptian law prohibits co-ed housing, AUC residence halls enforce strict regulations regarding male-female contact. No men are permitted in the women’s area of the building and no women are permitted in the men’s area. Guests of the opposite sex may be received only in the ground floor lounge and outside garden. These gender contact restrictions also apply in independent housing situations.

Cost

University of Washington's direct exchange with the AUC operates on a home tuition and accommodations basis whereby students pay regular UW tuition and housing fees to the UW and no tuition or housing fees to the AUC. A meal plan is included as part of the arrangement. Students who study at the AUC for one semester pay 1.5 quarters of UW tuition and housing fees; students who study at the AUC for the full year pay three quarters of UW tuition and housing fees. Travel, visa fees and other miscellaneous expenses are the responsibility of the student. In addition, students are required to pay a UW IPE fee of $300 per semester ($600 per year).

Concurrent Enrollment

Courses and Credits

The University of Washington has an exchange agreement with the American University in Cairo. This agreement specifies that the UW will recognize credit granted by the AUC. Although credit is guaranteed, the type of UW credit awarded is not determined until after the exchange year has ended and the appropriate UW department has evaluated the coursework completed abroad. For this reason, it is advisable that students communicate with their regular UW academic advisers before and during the exchange period to determine the courses best suited for credit in their degree programs.

All grades for courses completed abroad are reported on the host university's transcript and the student's UW transcript regardless of the final mark or need for credit. In general, students earn the equivalent of 36-45 UW credits per year for coursework completed abroad.

Terms and Eligibility

The UW's direct exchange with the American University in Cairo is open to full year and single semester participants.

To be eligible for this direct exchange you must:

• Be enrolled as a regular, degree-seeking UW student;
• Have Junior standing or above by the exchange's beginning;
• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0;
• Be flexible, independent and willing to conform to cultural customs that differ significantly from those of the US.
• Be aware that while Arabic language is not a pre-requisite of the exchange, some Arabic language training is strongly recommended.

Health Screening

Since study abroad often means that students live with medical services and general health conditions that are different from those in their home country, you will be required to have a health screening and to submit a Health Screening Form with your Concurrent Enrollment Form.

Application Instructions

By the appropriate deadline, please submit your complete application to the IPE office with all of the following:

Application Deadlines

References