 Students gathered in the courtyard of the American University in Cairo (photo credit: Kristin Barbee) |
Study Abroad
Study Abroad in Egypt
AS THE DEMAND FOR ARABIC language proficiency grows in the government and other professions, AU Abroad's program at the American University in Cairo (AUC) has become increasingly popular. This spring, 27 AU students are enrolled at AUC, which is located in one of the busiest squares of Cairo.
Amy Teachout (SIS '08) is at AUC for the 2006–07 academic year, studying political science and Arabic. In her words, "AUC has an outstanding language program and a variety of courses unique to the university or at least enhanced by studying them in Egypt." For her, it has been incredible to study Egypt's pharaohs and then see the pyramids. Teachout has maintained her AU habit of volunteering with a nongovernmental organization that helps refugees. She is teaching a conversational English course for Sudanese women refugees. English skills offer them the opportunity to access global resources or seek asylum in Canada or the UK," she explained.
AU's partnership with AUC began several years ago after a visit and lecture there by Dr. Robert Pastor, vice president of international affairs. AU's principal connection to AUC is through study abroad, but discussions have begun to try to expand the relationship to include research conferences and student exchanges. Dr. Pastor noted that AUC and AU's Center for Democracy and Election Management are considering co-sponsoring a conference on democratization in the Middle East this November.
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