Students who elect to study abroad with API at the American University of Sharjah (AUS) choose from a range of undergraduate classes open to Emirati and international students.
Open to freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Completed API application
University Approval Form
One letter of recommendation
Official transcript
Students planning to take courses in architecture or studio art may have to submit portfolio materials for consideration and are encouraged to apply early.
Entry requirements: valid passport and visa (supplementary visa and application materials provided post-acceptance)
Excursions
API students participate in several excursions per session designed to help familiarize them with areas of their host city, country, and surrounding region. The following is a listing of all excursions for API Sharjah programs. All excursions are subject to change.
In addition to the API excursions, the International Office at AUS offers numerous activities and excursions throughout the semester. Examples of past events include a visit to the camel races, an Arabic cooking class, Atlantis Water Park and a day trip to Mussandam.
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is the capital and largest of the United Arab Emirates. It is a place of enormous wealth thanks to its oil reserves, but it is also a region with an eye towards sustainable economic and environmental development. Students may visit the most expensive hotel ever constructed in the world, walk along the seaside Corniche, or tour the rapidly developing Saadiyat Island (home to international museums such as the Louvre, Guggenheim, and others) and Yas Island (home to a world-class racetrack, yacht club, and Ferrarri World). Al Ain (which in Arabic means “The Spring”), also known as the Garden City due to its greenery, is the second largest city in the Abu Dhabi Emirate and the fourth largest city in the United Arab Emirates. It is close to the Omani border, and has a unique desert/mountain landscape that make it a popular tourist attraction for locals and expats alike.
Dubai
The 2nd largest, Emirate, Dubai shatters the stereotypes of Eastern and Western cultures while simultaneously and relatively seamlessly mixing them together. The pace of development in Dubai is breathtaking, and the urban (and coastal) landscapes are constantly changing. Students may have the opportunity to tour some of the opulent malls (and snow ski in one!) as well as the traditional souqs along Dubai Creek (such as the Gold Souq, the Spice Souq, and others). Whether riding a traditional abra (boat) across the creek or the new state-of-the-art metro system, students will be able to experience this exciting city in many ways. There is no better way to top off a day in Dubai than to ride the elevator to the 124th-floor observation deck of the Burj Khalifa (the world’s tallest skyscraper) and see the city spread out below, as well as the Palm Jumeirah and The World archipelago island developments.
Fujairah
Experience traditional bullfighting in Fujairah! Unlike in Spanish bullfighting, where a matador has to deliver fatal blows to the bull, Fujairah's bullfighting is more like bull-wrestling or head-butting, where two bulls lock horns in a three to four-minute fight. After bullfighting, the students will visit Al Badiyah Mosque which is the oldest surviving mosque in the United Arab Emirates. The group will end the day with lunch and spending the afternoon at the beach.
Desert Safari
Enjoy a day in the desert featuring dune bashing, camel ride, entertainment, and authentic food!
Musandam
Students will enjoy this trip to the tip of the Arabian peninsula, where they will spend the entire day aboard a wooden dhow boat for water sports and leisure.
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is the capital and largest of the United Arab Emirates. It is a place of enormous wealth thanks to its oil reserves, but it is also a region with an eye towards sustainable economic and environmental development. Students may visit the most expensive hotel ever constructed in the world, walk along the seaside Corniche, or tour the rapidly developing Saadiyat Island (home to international museums such as the Louvre, Guggenheim, and others) and Yas Island (home to a world-class racetrack, yacht club, and Ferrarri World). Al Ain (which in Arabic means “The Spring”), also known as the Garden City due to its greenery, is the second largest city in the Abu Dhabi Emirate and the fourth largest city in the United Arab Emirates. It is close to the Omani border, and has a unique desert/mountain landscape that make it a popular tourist attraction for locals and expats alike.
Dubai
The 2nd largest, Emirate, Dubai shatters the stereotypes of Eastern and Western cultures while simultaneously and relatively seamlessly mixing them together. The pace of development in Dubai is breathtaking, and the urban (and coastal) landscapes are constantly changing. Students may have the opportunity to tour some of the opulent malls (and snow ski in one!) as well as the traditional souqs along Dubai Creek (such as the Gold Souq, the Spice Souq, and others). Whether riding a traditional abra (boat) across the creek or the new state-of-the-art metro system, students will be able to experience this exciting city in many ways. There is no better way to top off a day in Dubai than to ride the elevator to the 124th-floor observation deck of the Burj Khalifa (the world’s tallest skyscraper) and see the city spread out below, as well as the Palm Jumeirah and The World archipelago island developments.
Fujairah
Experience traditional bullfighting in Fujairah! Unlike in Spanish bullfighting, where a matador has to deliver fatal blows to the bull, Fujairah's bullfighting is more like bull-wrestling or head-butting, where two bulls lock horns in a three to four-minute fight. After bullfighting, the students will visit Al Badiyah Mosque which is the oldest surviving mosque in the United Arab Emirates. The group will end the day with lunch and spending the afternoon at the beach.
Desert Safari
Enjoy a day in the desert featuring dune bashing, camel ride, entertainment, and authentic food!
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is the capital and largest of the United Arab Emirates. It is a place of enormous wealth thanks to its oil reserves, but it is also a region with an eye towards sustainable economic and environmental development. Students may visit the most expensive hotel ever constructed in the world, walk along the seaside Corniche, or tour the rapidly developing Saadiyat Island (home to international museums such as the Louvre, Guggenheim, and others) and Yas Island (home to a world-class racetrack, yacht club, and Ferrarri World). Al Ain (which in Arabic means “The Spring”), also known as the Garden City due to its greenery, is the second largest city in the Abu Dhabi Emirate and the fourth largest city in the United Arab Emirates. It is close to the Omani border, and has a unique desert/mountain landscape that make it a popular tourist attraction for locals and expats alike.
Dubai
The 2nd largest, Emirate, Dubai shatters the stereotypes of Eastern and Western cultures while simultaneously and relatively seamlessly mixing them together. The pace of development in Dubai is breathtaking, and the urban (and coastal) landscapes are constantly changing. Students may have the opportunity to tour some of the opulent malls (and snow ski in one!) as well as the traditional souqs along Dubai Creek (such as the Gold Souq, the Spice Souq, and others). Whether riding a traditional abra (boat) across the creek or the new state-of-the-art metro system, students will be able to experience this exciting city in many ways. There is no better way to top off a day in Dubai than to ride the elevator to the 124th-floor observation deck of the Burj Khalifa (the world’s tallest skyscraper) and see the city spread out below, as well as the Palm Jumeirah and The World archipelago island developments.
Fujairah
Experience traditional bullfighting in Fujairah! Unlike in Spanish bullfighting, where a matador has to deliver fatal blows to the bull, Fujairah's bullfighting is more like bull-wrestling or head-butting, where two bulls lock horns in a three to four-minute fight. After bullfighting, the students will visit Al Badiyah Mosque which is the oldest surviving mosque in the United Arab Emirates. The group will end the day with lunch and spending the afternoon at the beach.
Desert Safari
Enjoy a day in the desert featuring dune bashing, camel ride, entertainment, and authentic food!
Musandam
Students will enjoy this trip to the tip of the Arabian peninsula, where they will spend the entire day aboard a wooden dhow boat for water sports and leisure.
Program Details
What You’ll Study
TOTAL CREDITS - 12-16 credits per semester
Students who elect to study abroad with API at the American University of Sharjah (AUS) choose from a range of undergraduate classes open to Emirati and international students.
TRANSCRIPTS
API students receive a transcript from the American University of Sharjah upon completion of their program.
Staff & Coordinators
Kelsey Patton
Kelsey Patton will be your Program Coordinator and prepare you to go abroad!
Lana will be your Resident Coordinator in Sharjah and a resource for you while you are with us in the United Arab Emirates!
Courses
CREDIT INFORMATION
AUS awards credit in a similar fashion to most U.S. universities. Students generally take 4-5 classes in order to receive 12-16 credit hours per semester. Additional courses may be taken for an additional fee. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they are enrolled in the required amount of semester credits to meet requirements of the home university. In all departments, entrance to specific courses is subject to the approval of AUS and the completion of certain prerequisites.
COURSE DETAILS
Not all courses are offered every semester or every year. The course selection may vary, and no course is guaranteed. Some courses may have prerequisites, and some courses may require minimal additional fees for labs, equipment, etc. The campus is fully integrated, with male and female students attending the same courses with the same professors (though housing is separated by gender).
Pre-registration generally takes place online prior to arrival and is finalized once the students are on campus. We recommend that after consulting the API website for course listings, students have 10 courses approved by their home university prior to departure, in order to allow for scheduling conflicts and the possible unavailability of certain classes. There is a 3-day add/drop period at the beginning of the semester at AUS.
ARABIC COURSE INFORMATION
Arabic language courses are offered each semester (though the offerings may vary from term to term). A list of highlighted options may be found below (and all courses can be accessed through the AUS Course Link below).
ARA 105 (Elementary Arabic I) and ARA 106 (Elementary Arabic II) is typically offered every semester (i.e. fall and spring)
ARA 203 (Intermediate Arabic I) is typically offered every fall semester
ARA 204 (Intermediate Arabic II) is typically offered every spring semester
Other Arabic Department courses of interest include, but are not limited to:
ARA 314 Media Arabic
ARA 340 The Social Context of Arabic
ARA 360 Arab Linguistics
If you have any questions while looking at the course schedule or filling out your application, please call the API office at (800) 844-4124.
AUS Course Link
Be sure to click on the "Class Schedule" link (not Course Catalog) for course offerings available by term.
Transcript from U.S. accredited institution (American University of Sharjah)
U.S. accreditations (AACSB, ABET, NAAB, Middle States)
Visa cost included
Housing
Housing is separated by gender, and all students (male and female) are subject to a curfew (12:00 a.m. weekdays; 1:00 am on weekends). 40% of the student population of AUS lives in campus housing. Dorms are located on campus, within walking distance to classes (though shuttle service is also provided around campus). Shuttle service is also available at select times to transport students to popular shopping and entertainment areas in Sharjah and Dubai. Students typically have one roommate, and most rooms have one bathroom, a kitchenette, as well as access to laundry facilities, the campus athletic facilities and pool, and study/storage areas.
Note: Housing between the fall and spring semesters is not included.
Meals are not included in the API program cost. Students can purchase meals at one of the many cafeterias/cafes located on or around the AUS campus or prepare light meals in the kitchenette included in their dorm room.
Dates & Fees
Any lab fees will be the responsibility of the student.
