Great for Multiculturalism, Not Ideal for Focused Arabic Study Past Review
By A student (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/12/2018 to 05/16/2018 with
API (Academic Programs International): Sharjah - American University of Sharjah
Traveled a lot (dubai airport was very close), joined a lot of cultural groups (Global Day was absolutely amazing), ate some great food, explored a metropolitan side of the Middle East that is often forgotten.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Academics definitely required work, but the class selection was very small, and there were no bio/chem labs at all. Languages were sparse. Arabic wasn't even offered. STEM classes are just about memorization, poli-sci courses were essay-based and very easy. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My admin in-country was very responsive and awesome! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Housing was fine (clean, spacious, convenient), but the curfew is strict and there is little to no dorm social life. |
| * Food: |
No food plan, food was very expensive and difficult to get sometimes. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
AUS IXO orientation did a great job for social integration. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Clinic on campus was very helpful. |
| * Safety: |
UAE is super safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I'd choose a program where I could speak more arabic. That being said, the cultural activities (from all over the world, especially Pakistan and India) were invaluable. |
Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent about $75 per week on food, about $30-50 per week on transportation, and about $50-75 per week on fun things (drinks, museums, movies, etc.) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Bring cooking utensils and be prepared to cook! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
They didn't even offer my language course, they just excused the requirement. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 3 semesters and an unofficial summer course |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Take a class or go to a different country. I used more Urdu in the UAE than arabic. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | How expensive it was, how little I would be able to speak Arabic, what a horrible idea it is to start a relationship while abroad. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
