Summer 2008, Fall Semester 2008 and Academic Year 2008-9 closed

Fall – 17 weeks (mid August to late December)
Spring – 20 weeks (January 19 - June 3, 2008)
Summer – 7 weeks (June 4 - July 22, 2008)
Academic Year

Sponsored by the College of Arts & Letters and the College of Social Science

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

To many, Egypt is the cradle of civilization, “The Mother of the World” - to others, it is the leader of the modern Middle East. Studying at the American University in Cairo will provide students with an extraordinary educational experience in a complex city that is 1,000 years old, in a country that’s 5,000 years old!

Students will have the unique opportunity to experience the wonders of Egypt while studying with Egyptian and other Arab students under the guidance of some of the best scholars in the fields of Arabic language, Middle East studies, Egyptology, and Islamic art and architecture.

Where does it take place?

In Cairo, the capital of Egypt, the ancient and the modern, the rural and the urban are brought together on the banks of the Nile in one of the most fascinating cities of the world. The largest city in Africa, the cultural center of the Arabic-speaking world, and a crossroad for the sharing of ideas, leadership and trade, Cairo is home to people from all continents. A rich melting pot of history, culture and tradition, Cairo will captivate you with its incredible past and vibrant present. Where else can you experience both 2000 B.C.E. and 2000 C.E. in the same city? Or travel back further to the cradle of civilization along the Nile River and then forward to study the modern impact on the coral reefs of the Red Sea?

Located two blocks from the Nile River, The American University in Cairo (AUC) is situated on one of the busiest squares in Cairo. This central location gives students direct access to a wealth of cultural opportunities such as the Cairo Museum (with the world’s richest repository of pharaonic antiquities), the pyramids of Giza, the tombs of Saqqara, and the myriad mosques of medieval Cairo. Founded in 1919 to offer a comprehensive American-style, liberal arts education to Egyptian students, AUC is accredited and enrolls about 4,500 students in its degree, Arabic language, and study abroad programs. While students come from over 60 different countries, the majority is Egyptians. In 2008, AUC will be relocating from downtown Cairo to New Cairo; check http://www.aucegypt.edu/ncd/ for updates.

By making this vibrant city your home, you guarantee yourself a unique educational experience. The city awaits you as your classroom and laboratory. You will meet people from all over the world who share your spirit of discovery as you sharpen your linguistic skills and cultural understanding. In addition, Egypt's location makes it the perfect starting point for travel throughout the Middle East.

What can I study?

The emphasis of this program is on Arabic and Middle East Studies. Arabic language instruction is at the core of the program, and all participants must take Arabic. AUC houses one of the premier Arabic language institutes in the world, so students can learn Arabic intensively or continue the study of Arabic at an advanced level. AUC will issue a Certificate in Arabic Studies to MSU students who complete two semesters of relevant coursework at AUC. The language of instruction is English except for advanced courses in Arabic literature.

Students are required to enroll in a minimum of twelve (12) credits during fall or spring semester and six (6) credits during the summer. They may choose from the following options:

1. Intensively study only Arabic language at the Arabic Language Institute (ALI), or
2. Take an Arabic language class plus enroll in any courses offered at AUC (subject to the approval of your MSU department for the transfer of credit upon return).

Most Arabic language courses count for three credits and fulfill the equivalencies of MSU courses ARB 101-102 (Elementary), ARB 201-202 (Intermediate), and ARB 290 and 490 (Advanced). For students wishing to take more than Arabic language (option 2 above), there will be 9-12 credits of coursework per semester, three hours of which is Arabic language. The non-Arabic language credits (three credits per course) may be taken in any of the regular undergraduate degree programs at AUC (log-on to http://www.aucegypt.edu/intlspecial for a listing of summer and semester AUC course offerings).

This is a co-sponsored program.  Credit may be awarded for certain courses as regular MSU credit rather than transfer credit.  These courses will be listed on your official MSU transcript and will include the title of the course abroad, the number of credits and the grade earned. For further details about this policy, visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/people/students.html.
 
Contact the study abroad program coordinator listed below to learn more about available courses. To find out what courses other students have taken on the program and what MSU courses they might replace, visit http://transfer.msu.edu/Institution.asp and http://www.reg.msu.edu/ROINFO/CSSAP/CSSAPmain.asp. Courses listed may not be offered every semester, and additional courses may be available during the semester you plan to participate.

What are the requirements?

For semester enrollment, students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 3.00 at the time of application and have reached sophomore status by the time of participation. For summer, students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.5 at the time of application and have reached sophomore status by the time of participation.

Admission is competitive, especially for the ALI program, and completing the application process does not guarantee admission. Once you submit the MSU application, you will need to submit a second application to either AUC or ALI. Do not wait until the deadline to apply since it is likely the programs will be filled.

An essay will also be required as part of the application process. Final acceptance is determined by the American University in Cairo.

Adjustment to the culture of Cairo can be a challenge since social and religious practices are very different from the United States; thus, a high degree of maturity is necessary for participation. Students should be aware that poverty is quite evident in parts of the city.

This program is open to MSU students only.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

Students are housed in the AUC dormitory in Zamalek, a residential district in downtown Cairo about fifteen minutes away from the campus by bus. The dormitory offers single or double rooms for 300 students and is an attractive newer building with a large, quiet interior courtyard. A cafeteria, computer lab, and fitness room are located in the building. Linen is provided and shuttle transportation is included. Meals and laundry service are also available. Students are segregated by sex and live with Arabic students from Egypt as well as other Middle Eastern countries, in addition to international students from around the world.

Extra-curricular activities such as evening cultural events, clubs, sports, and field trips are available.

In 2008, when AUC relocates to New Cairo, 40 student houses will be available on campus with each house providing accommodation and facilities for ten (10) students.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Dr. David Prestel
Department of Linguistics and Germanic, Slavic, Asian and African Languages
A615 Wells Hall
Phone: (517) 353-0740
E-mail: prestel@msu.edu

Johanna Brown
Department of Linguistics and Germanic, Slavic, Asian and African Languages
A-647 Wells Hall
Phone: (517) 353-4862
E-mail: jkbrown@msu.edu

Oumatie Marajh
College of Social Science
201C Berkey Hall
Phone: (517) 353-9202
E-mail: marajhou@msu.edu

Cindy Chalou
Office of Study Abroad
109 International Center
Phone: (517) 432-4345
E-mail: chalouc@msu.edu

You can also log-on to AUC’s Web site at http://www.aucegypt.edu/intlspecial/sab.html

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States. If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date. If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of twelve weeks are usually required for processing. During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required. Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices. They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/passports.html

A visa is required for entry into Egypt. It is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose. The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early. It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.

For more information about visas visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/visas.html

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

For further health information and recommendations visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/health.html

How much does it cost?

The program fee depends on the semester of participation. For Spring Semester 2008, the program fee is $8,506. For Summer 2008, the program fee is $4,126. This includes the following:

• application fee ($100)
• deposit ($200)
• orientation
• AUC tuition
• accommodations (double room)
• AUC student services and medical service fees
• accident and sickness insurance

Approximate amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

• airfare ($1,500)
• meals ($2,550 for semester; $1,020 for Summer)
• housing ($1,700 for semester; $756 for Summer)
• AUC reservation fee ($250)
• books and supplies ($550 for semester; $100 for Summer)
• passport application fee ($100)
• visa application fees ($28)
• pre-departure doctor visits
• pre-departure immunizations (if applicable)
• personal spending money ($1,250 for semester; $500 for Summer)

Students may request a cost sheet which estimates these additional expenses not included in the program fee by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid.

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing. This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

For further information about financial aid visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/finaid/index.html

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships. Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need. Requirements are listed in the scholarship application. The deadlines to apply for these scholarships are March 1st for summer, fall and academic year programs and October 15th for spring semester programs.

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

The American University in Cairo also offers Simpson Scholarships in Egyptology for outstanding juniors and seniors. Multiple scholarships of $2,500 per semester will be awarded to the best academic candidates. For full details, please contact the AUC-New York Office at aucegypt@aucnyo.edu.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/scholarships/index.html

How do I apply?

Students must complete a Study Abroad Application and an AUC/ALI application. Because of the lengthy application process, applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by September 1st for spring semester participation,and February 1st for summer participation, fall or academic year participation. We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to these deadlines.

You can apply online or download an OSA application form by visiting http://studyabroad.msu.edu/applications/index.html

You may apply online or download the AUC application form by visiting http://www.aucegypt.edu/intlspecial/study_abroad.htm

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year. Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required. Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program. Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records.

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home, can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter. You can also read the handbook online at http://studyabroad.msu.edu/abcs/index.html.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.