Description

Once a British protectorate, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) came together as one country when the seven emirates united in 1971. Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken. Ranked fourth in the world in oil resources, the UAE has one of the world's fastest-growing economies.

For Western visitors, the UAE is a very safe destination, with the comforts of home and a taste of the exotic. Spread out over desert and coastland, you can soak up the atmosphere of the heritage areas or the magnificent mountain scenery of Hatta, haggle over souvenirs in the souqs (outdoor markets) of Sharjah, head out to Abu Dhabi's desert sands for a camel ride under a star-filled sky, or dive the coralfilled waters of the Arabian Gulf.

Sharjah promotes itself as the cultural capital of the UAE, and its proliferation of excellent museums, galleries and theatres makes this tag well deserved. Architecturally, the restored central arts and heritage precincts are two of the most interesting neighborhoods in the UAE, and the city's souqs give it the cachet of being the best place for shopping in the country.

Highlights

Students may study an unfamiliar culture in a familiar setting through API at the American University of Sharjah (AUS). AUS was founded in 1997 and is consciously based upon the American system of higher education. The beautiful campus has been described by many as the "jewel of Sharjah" and is itself a must-see destination for tourists and dignitaries alike. Thoroughly grounded in Arab culture, AUS is a leading comprehensive coeducational university in the Gulf, serving students from the region and around the world.

AUS is accredited in the U.S. by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, and is licensed in the United States by the Department of Education of the State of Delaware. The university is also licensed by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and all undergraduate and graduate programs have been awarded either full or initial accreditation. The School of Business is AACSB accredited, and all six of the bachelor's degree programs in the AUS College of Engineering are accredited by ABET, Inc. of the United States.

The official language of instruction is English, and students will have the opportunity to choose from courses in Arabic language and culture, art, architecture and design, business, engineering, natural sciences, mass communications, and more.

Take advantage of this opportunity to learn about a critical language and culture in one of the most dynamic nations in the world!

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Minimum Education

High School

Languages

• Arabic

Languages Used as a Medium of Teaching

• Arabic
• English

Subject Areas

Cost in US$:

Please see API website.

Program Fees Include:

Pre-Departure Services
Advising, @api Online Resources, Orientation Materials and Support, Mobile Phone, Peer Mentors, Social Networking, and Scholarships.

On-site Services
Airport Reception, Resident Director, API Center, On-Site Orientation, Housing (Including Meals and Laundry with Some Options), Tuition, Tutoring, Language and Culture Tools, Medical and Life Insurance, Excursions (Overnight, Day and International in some locations), Social and Cultural Activities, Welcome and Farewell Group Meals, and Volunteer Opportunities.

Re-entry Services
Re-Entry Materials and Support, Post-Program Evaluation, Transcript, Alumni-Network, and Development Opportunities.

Credit Available

yes

Experience Required

yes

Open to sophomores, juniors, seniors.

This Program is open to

American Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Scholarships are Available

Please see API website

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Resume
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network

Academic Programs International (API)'s Mission Statement

Academic Programs International, API, is an educational organization dedicated to providing challenging and enriching study abroad programs for our students. The experience of living, interacting and learning in an international environment presents invaluable opportunities for each student's academic and personal development. All of our academic and extracurricular offerings are selected with the goal of helping students to grow more self-aware and culturally sensitive. We envision each student evolving from a tourist to a resident to a global citizen, and API is dedicated to supporting this lifelong process. API is committed to providing the best comprehensive study abroad experience possible with personal attention available to our students throughout his or her program, and to working closely with home universities to offer support before, during and after the education abroad experience.

Year Founded

1997