In cooperation with the American University of Cairo (AUC), students study on the grounds of one of the oldest and most sophisticated civilizations in world history. Today, the culture responsible for building the pyramids in Giza, the sphinx, and the ancient kingdom of Luxor, is centered in Cairo, the largest city in Africa. Cairo of is one of the greatest cultural centers of the Arabic-speaking world. With a rich history, the city of Cairo is an international capital of over 13 million people.

Scholars have been drawn to Egypt for its profusion of art and architecture accumulated from centuries of successive Islamic dynasties, as well as Egypt's historical interaction with the Greeks, the Romans, Christians and Jews. Today Egypt exists as an amalgam of these legacies mixed with modern influences. Nowhere are contrasts between the ancient and modern worlds displayed as colorfully than in Cairo, a massive city teeming with life and the sounds of car horns, stereos, and muezzins summoning people to prayer.

The American Univeristy of Cairo, founded in 1919, has more than 5,000 students and is located two blocks from the Nile River in Tahrir Square, one of the busiest squares in the city, providing access to a wealth of cultural opportunities. The University provides educational opportunities to students from all segments of Egyptian society as well as from other countries, and actively contributes to Egypt's cultural and intellectual life. Over 80% of the student body is Egyptian and the rest is international. Around 125 American students study abroad each year at the AUC.

The university offers programs at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels in three different schools: Humanities and Social Sciences; Science and Engineering; and Business, Economics, and Communication. Students can take classes in almost any discipline along with courses of study particularly relevant to Egypt such as Arabic language and Arabic Studies, Egyptology, International Business, Middle East studies, and Comparative Religion and Literature. Students are housed in the Zamalek Student Residence Hall, located in a quiet residential area of the city on Gezirah Island.

Coursework: All courses, except the required Arabic course, are conducted in English. AUC's study abroad program is one of direct enrollment, meaning that students select courses from general undergraduate course listings and are not limited to a fixed set of courses. USC students earn 16 units for the semester.

Academic Requirements: Students must have completed two semesters of college-level Arabic or the equivalent to attend; all students are required to study Arabic while at AUC. Instruction in all other departments is conducted in English. Students must also have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0

Estimated Dates:
Fall: late August - early January
Spring: late January - early June

Estimated Costs:
Tuition…………………………..$8,400
Additional Expenses*…..$5,800
Total……………………………..$14,200 (per semester)

*Additional expenses include estimated costs for airfare, room and board, books and supplies, health insurance, and personal expenses (which can vary greatly from student to student). USC financial aid, scholarships, and tuition remission may be applied to program costs. Please visit the Office of Overseas Studies for more detailed cost information.

Links:
American University of Egypt
Egypt
Lonely Planet Egypt
Cairo

back to top