The holy month of Ramadan is underway for Muslims around the world. Ramadan, considered one of the five pillars of Islam, commemorates the revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad. Muslim families believe the revelation was given to the Prophet by the angel Gabriel in 610 AD.
Those who celebrate Ramadan mark the occasion every year by taking part in a month-long fast.
During daylight hours, most practicing Muslims will abstain from food and drink. They’ll also take part in Shahadah (declaration of faith), Zakat (giving to charity), and Salat (prayer) during this time. In addition, families will often abstain from things like music, watching TV and shopping. It’s a truly holy month for believers and a really wonderful time to visit countries and societies where Islam is practiced.
In honor of Ramadan, we thought it’d be fun to look at our study abroad programs in Sharjah, UAE! It’s never too early to start thinking about your 2020 plans; especially since the deadline for our spring program is coming up in September!
Study Arabic & more alongside Emirati & international students
The American University of Sharjah was founded in 1997 and is consciously based on the American system of higher education. Our semester Direct Enrollment Program at the AUS places API students in classes alongside Emirati and international undergraduates. Alongside a variety of Arabic language courses (meant for beginners all the way up to advanced-level speakers), students can also choose from course subjects taught in English like Architecture, Business, Multimedia, Art History, Political Science, Sociology and more.
The American University of Sharjah has several U.S. accreditations, including AACSB, ABET, NAAB and more. It’s a prestigious university that looks great on a college transcript!
A truly unique study abroad experience
The UAE is one of the most misunderstood regions in the world. It’s bustling with culture, music, fantastic food, and some of the world’s friendliest people. Sharjah is one of the safest study abroad locations for students. It’s also considered the “Cultural Capital of the UAE” and boasts a lively history.
We’ve talked to many alumni who studied abroad here. They’ve described the experience as rewarding, surprising, and a great way to jump out of their comfort zone while still learning in a familiar setting.
International excursion included in your program cost
One way API really stands out is that we often include international excursions in your program cost! That’s certainly the case with our programs in Sharjah. Our semester and summer programs take students to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Visit the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa; tour Ferrari World on Yas Island; stroll the Louvre, Guggenheim and more!
In addition, our on-site staff will take you to Arabic cooking classes, camel races, a desert safari, and a visit to a local spice souq.
Want to spend NEXT Ramadan in the UAE? It’s never too early to get started on that application!
Applications for our Spring 2020 program at AUS are due September 15th! Visit our website or give us a call at 800-844-4124 for help getting started!
