What inspired you to go abroad?
My biggest inspiration for studying abroad had to have been my desire to learn firsthand about the culture I was studying. I studied International Studies with a concentration in the Middle East for two years in the states before deciding to go abroad. While abroad, I was able to completely submerge myself in the food, language, people, stories, and history that I had been studying for so long.
Enjoying tea, hummus, and luqaimat on a nice afternoon with some friends
Why did you choose American University of Sharjah?
I decided to study at the American University of Sharjah because Sharjah is in the UAE. The UAE is a beautiful country that is filled with people from not only all over the Arab world, but all over the entire world. While I was able to learn Arabic slang and dialect from people from Syria, Iraq, Egypt, and Saudi, I also got to meet people from India, South Africa, Iceland, Brazil, and so many more places.
What was your favorite part about the UAE?
My favorite part of the UAE is that there is everything here that one could want. There's shopping, night life, desert activities, city, beach, water sports, cultural sights, art district—everything!
What made your experience abroad unique?
Something that made my experience abroad unique was the closeness of the exchange group. Our hosts created many events for the entire group—trips to Oman, the mall, the desert, cultural outings, and tours of the country. These organized trips made us very close, and the friendships I made helped to make my experience so magical.
Views from the Souk Madinat Jumeirah, a shopping mall in Dubai
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
Linda, Grace, and Lillie truly made my experience so smooth and pleasant. Linda did everything in her power to make our experience unique and full. Grace made sure make the process of enrolling us in courses and course selection as easy and worry free as possible. And Lillie would always be there to brighten our days.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?
One thing I would have done differently was maybe to get out of my comfort zone more. I would have maybe joined more clubs, ventured off campus more, and gone to more events both in Dubai and Sharjah.
Describe a typical day in the life of your program.
A typical day at AUS would be waking up, grabbing a quick breakfast at the co-op while on my way to class; in between classes hanging out in the IXO (International Exchange Office) with the other exchange students; maybe even grabbing lunch with some of them or some of the peer leaders; then go back to the dorms, work on homework—if there is any—hang out in the dorm lounges, library, or in my room with friends; then maybe go to Karak road for some food and tea.
Some of the beautiful architecture I got to pass by daily on my way to class
What did you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my free time I mostly enjoyed hanging out with friends, going to the mall, watching a movie, or going out.
What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?
My accommodation was a typical dorm accommodation. Included in my shared room was a private bathroom and small kitchenette. All of the exchange girls were put in the same dorm, and roomed together. This was one of the things I liked best about the accommodation because it allowed all of us to study and hang out together easily.
What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?
One thing everyone should know before participating in my program, or any program for that matter, would be to make sure to be open minded. This might sound simple or obvious but it’s often overlooked. You have to be open minded to join clubs, to embrace the people, to try the food, and to enjoy the experiences. Don’t say no to anything, just open yourself to every experience possible.
Me during a trip to India
Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?
My time abroad impacted my life in ways I didn't even expect. I traveled to places I never thought I would and met people from all walks of life. My time abroad brightened my life and opened my mind in ways I didn’t think were possible.
Would you recommend American University of Sharjah to others? Why?
Without a moment of hesitation, I would recommend AUS to anyone interested in studying abroad. When people talk about studying abroad, mostly people think Europe, and often overlook many other regions. While Europe is amazing, the UAE has as much to offer, and after my time there, I think anyone—even those not studying the region—would very much enjoy studying there.
