INTRODUCTION The American University in Cairo (AUC) program is one of a number of Education Abroad Programs conducted by Penn State in Europe, the Middle East, Latin American, Africa, Australia, and Asia. More than 600 students from a wide variety of majors participate annually in these programs. The Office of Education Abroad programs conducts the AUC program in cooperation with Penn State's Middle East Studies program. OBJECTIVES The Penn State Education Abroad Program at the American University in Cairo in Cairo, Egypt, functions within the context of the objectives characterizing all Penn State Education Abroad opportunities, especially to: 1. enable students to receive instruction in several disciplines within the context of another culture and to enrich their general academic studies; 2. allow students to expand their knowledge of the culture of a country or region of the world by living and studying abroad, as well as gain a more objective perspective of the values and way of life in their own country; 3. promote the education goals of the University by providing overseas programs designed to increase the international understanding of students; 4. provide opportunities for students from cooperating universities in other countries to benefit from study at Penn State through reciprocal exchange programs. Specifically, the AUC program aims to: 1. enable Penn State students to enroll at an Egyptian university in courses related to their academic program; 2. allow students to interact with an international faculty and student body in lectures, laboratories, and other academic activities as an integrated part of the academic community at AUC; 3. promote an awareness of, and an appreciation for, the historical background and cultural heritage of the Middle East, by providing the opportunity to participate in the cultural, social, and education life of Egypt; 4. complement Penn State's on-campus efforts to teach students about the unique importance of the Middle Eastern countries in the world today, especially Egypt. CAIRO In antiquity, the Nile's annual flood with its fertile silt provided the agricultural foundation for one of the great early civilizations. Cairo, placed at the meeting point between upper and lower Egypt in the Nile Valley, is the largest urban center in both Africa and the Arab World. Offering more than 6,000 years of culture, the city is the locale of numerous historical sites including the Pyramids, Abdin Palace, Al- Azhar Mosque, and the Coptic Museum. Famed Al-Azhar, the oldest university in the Middle East, is situated in this bustling city and is noted as a research center. The Egyptian Museum with its wealth of Pharonic art has recently been renovated and is noted for the finds of the tomb of Tutankahmen. As a business and commercial center with many modern facilities, Cairo is home to a large group of Americans: 33,000 U.S. citizens are in some way attached to the American Embassy in this, one of the world's oldest cities. THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN CAIRO The American University in Cairo, a private institution founded in 1920, is a small oasis in the city. Located on a main square in downtown Cairo, it is surrounded by commercial areas, hotels, and government ministries but is just a few blocks from the Nile. The main campus consists of a converted palace, gardens, and fountains; sports areas for tennis, outdoor basketball, and soccer; plus an auditorium and theater. Centers located off campus in rural, urban, and desert areas provide research opportunities in fields of interest to Egypt. AUC exemplifies American education principles and practices while recognizing the heritage of both Egypt and the Middle East. Consequently, the Arabic language, Arab history and culture, Egyptology (Middle Eastern Studies), and social sciences dealing with the modern Arab world are a significant portion of the University's offerings. In addition, Bachelor's and Master's degree programs are offered in the arts and sciences as well as in the professional fields of engineering, mass communications, and business administration and management. Enrollment is limited to ensure student-faculty interaction: AUC's international body totals 2,800 students, primarily undergraduates. The faculty is half Egyptian and a third American with the remaining being of European, Asian, and Middle Eastern background. This diversification has provided the University with an international atmosphere. Because of AUC's unique connection with the United States and Egypt, it is a center for the exchange of ideas among the peoples of the Arab World as well as a link between the West and the Middle East. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION Students participating in the Education Abroad Program at AUC may enroll for the academic year, fall, or the spring semester. The academic program consists of a required 3-credit elementary Arabic course plus a wide variety of other courses from which to choose. Students may register for courses such as accounting, archeology, art history, chemistry, history, political science, and sociology although an emphasis is placed on Middle Eastern studies. Students are integrated with regular AUC students and have an excellent opportunity to experience the social interaction of the Middle East. While at AUC, students may complete 13-18 credits each semester, the same as at Penn State. GRADING As with any course at Penn State, students studying at AUC will be graded by their course instructors according to their academic performance. Grades are recorded on each student's transcript. COURSE SELECTION Courses to be taken at the American University in Cairo are selected and approved in advance in consultation with the student's academic adviser. Participants may choose from a variety of courses as listed in the latest AUC course catalogues. Exact registration is subject to availability of courses on site. All courses will be accredited by Penn State. LIVING ARRANGEMENTS Students from the United States, the Middle East, Europe, and Egypt live in the AUC dormitory, opened in September 1991. This well-regulated dormitory has laundry service, a cafeteria, computer room, and is a forty-minute walk from the campus, or a brief shuttle bus ride. Students also have the option of sharing furnished flats (apartments) in Cairo not owned or operated by AUC; however, it is recommended that students complete one semester of Arabic in order to deal effectively with securing a flat. Living directly within the Cairo scene may be a challenging and exciting experience as well as a great opportunity to practice Arabic. ELIGIBILITY The Cairo program is open to all regularly enrolled Penn State Students. Applicants must be in good academic standing, and show evidence of maturity, stability, adaptability, self-discipline, and strong academic motivation. Generally speaking, a 2.5 cumulative grade-point-average is the minimum academic standard for most programs. Students are generally in their junior or senior year when they study abroad. PROGRAM PREREQUISITES Before departure, students enrolled in the Cairo program must complete either HIST 181 (Intro. to the Middle East) or an appropriate Religious Studies or Art History course. Arabic language and ANTH 45 are highly recommended. Students are required to study Arabic while on the program. ORIENTATION A specially designed orientation program, conducted during the semester prior to departure is intended to prepare students for the adjustment to living and studying in Cairo. Attendance at all orientation sessions is mandatory. COSTS Tuition for the Cairo program is the same as at the University Park Campus and is payable at the Bursar's Office in accordance with the standard procedures and deadlines for regular semester charges at University Park. Dormitory fees, which include charges for the shuttle bus, are paid directly to the New York office of The American University in Cairo. Students are responsible for buying their meals at the AUC cafeteria or in local restaurants. The Office of Education Abroad programs has a cost-estimate sheet detailing the overall expenses for each semester. Students are also required to pay a $150 nonrefundable program fee at the time of accepting an enrollment offer. Round-trip air fare is an additional cost to the student. Students are responsible for making their own flight arrangements. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE The standard forms of financial assistance are available through the Office of Student Aid. Since students remain registered at Penn State, financial aid packages continue during the period of time students are enrolled in this program. The Office of Education Abroad Programs works closely with the Office of Student Aid to help needy students obtain funds to cover the additional cost incurred by study abroad. The Office of Education Abroad Programs also has a modest grant-in-aid fund that can be drawn upon for exceptionally needy and qualified students. For more information regarding the National Security Education program (NSEP) and other scholarships, contact the Financial/Study Abroad Adviser. HEALTH INSURANCE All students participating in the program are expected to carry sufficient health and accident insurance. There is also a required AUC medical service fee. AUC operates a clinic staffed by qualified physicians and other medical personnel and is available to all students. Good hospitals and doctors are available in Cairo but at a higher cost than at the AUC clinic. PLANNING AHEAD To exploit the many advantages and opportunities of a study abroad experience, it is essential that students, in consultation with their faculty advisers, plan well in advance. With careful planning, every participant regardless of major, not only gains regular Penn State credit, but can often apply the credits earned abroad to General Education, elective, language, and/or to major or minor requirements. Like all Penn State's semester and year-long Education Abroad Programs, this program satisfies the University's cultural diversity requirement. As part of the application process, students are required to check with their advisers or deans to discuss what impact study abroad may have on their progress toward graduation FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND APPLICATION FORMS, CONTACT YOUR CAMPUS EDUCATION ABROAD ADVISER OR: Office of Education Abroad Programs 222 Boucke Building University Park, PA 16802-5900 Tel: (814) 865-7681