API (Academic Programs International): Sharjah - American University of Sharjah
- Hosted at: American University of Sharjah
- Location(s): Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Program Type(s): Study Abroad
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(For American Students)
Once a British protectorate, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) came together as one country when the seven emirates united in 1971. Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken. Ranked fourth in the world in oil resources, the UAE ha... read more
All Reviews

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. A student - Wellesley College View Entire Review
I learned a lot about myself. I learned that things aren't always going to be easy or what they seem, but putting my head down and grinding through it will pay off in the end. I think it was worthwhile because it pushed me outside of my comfort zone. I learned a lot about Arab culture and it completely changed my stance on certa... A student - American University of Sharjah View Entire Review
I learned how to adapt to my surroundings and find the place where I can be myself. A student - University of Hartford View Entire Review
I learned so much about Arab culture having known nothing before coming here. Alex M - University of Arkansas - Fayetteville View Entire Review
About
Once a British protectorate, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) came together as one country when the seven emirates united in 1971. Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken. Ranked fourth in the world in oil resources, the UAE has one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. For Western visitors, the UAE is a very safe destination, with the comforts of home and a taste of the exotic. Spread out over desert and coastland, you can soak up the atmosphere of the heritage areas or the magnificent mountain scenery of Hatta, haggle over souvenirs in the souqs (outdoor markets) of Sharjah, head out to Abu Dhabi’s desert sands for a camel ride under a star-filled sky, or dive the coral-filled waters of the Arabian Gulf. Sharjah promotes itself as the cultural capital of the UAE, and its proliferation of excellent museums, galleries and theatres makes this tag well deserved. Architecturally, the restored central arts and heritage precincts are two of the most interesting neighborhoods in the UAE, and the city’s souqs give it the cachet of being the best place for shopping in the country.
Programs in Sharjah Include:
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Full Curriculum Semester and Year: 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. AUS awards credit in similar fashion to most U.S. universities. Students generally take 4-5 classes in order to receive 12-15 credit hours per semester. 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.
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Summer Full Curriculum: Students who elect to study abroad in Sharjah with API will enroll at the American University of Sharjah (AUS) and choose from a range of undergraduate classes open to Emirati and international students. AUS awards credit in similar fashion to most U.S. universities. Students usually take 2 classes in order to receive 6 credit hours per semester, or 3 semester credits per course. 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.
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Summer Intensive Arabic Language Studies: Students who choose to study abroad in Sharjah with API will enroll at the American University of Sharjah (AUS). The summer Intensive Arabic Language Program at the AUS is a 6-credit course aimed at developing elementary and beginning language skills through formal classroom instruction and daily conversation practice with a native speaker. Students will have 3 hours of class per day, 5 days per week, in addition to 1 hour of lab work each of those days.
Program Type(s):
Study AbroadProgram Length(s):
- Fall
- Summer
- Spring
- Academic Year
Instruction Language(s):
- Arabic
- English
Relevant Study Subject(s):
- Communication and Media Studies
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
- Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Arabic Language and Literature
- International Law
- Liberal Arts, General Studies
- Chemistry
- Psychology
- Economics
- International Relations
- Political Science and Government
- Design and Applied Arts
- Fine Arts, Studio Arts
- Music
- Business
- Marketing
Minimum GPA:
2.75Year Founded:
1997Website
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API / Academic Programs International Scholarships
API is pleased to support students who are the first in their families to attend a college or university. The First Generation Scholarship award ranges from $250 to $750 per session and is available for academic year, quarter/semester, and summer students.
$250-$750
The API STEM scholarship is offered for API participants who are studying science, technology, engineering or mathematics. The API STEM Scholarship award ranges from $250 to $750 and is available for academic year, quarter/semester, and summer students.
$250-$750
It is not an easy task to juggle the demands of college athletics with academic responsibilities while pursuing other interests on campus. API supports both current and college-bound student-athletes participating on our programs. We welcome student-athletes across all divisions of the NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA to apply.
$250- $750
The Gilman Scholarship Program offers awards for undergraduate study abroad and was established by the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000. This scholarship provides awards for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study abroad programs worldwide. Students participating in an API program who have been awarded a Gilman scholarship will be eligible to receive up to $1,000 in matching contributions from API for a study abroad program, or up to $500 in matching contributions from API for an intern abroad program. To receive this award, Gilman winners should indicate their scholarship details on their financial aid information after acceptance to an API study abroad program.
Up to $1,000
This scholarship is offered to API participants who attend a community or technical college in the U.S., and awards range from $250 to $750 per session.
$250-$750
API is proud to provide a diversity scholarship in order to support students from a variety of backgrounds. The API Diversity Scholarship award ranges from $250 to $750 and is available for academic year, quarter/semester, or summer students. In order to qualify for this scholarship, students must be one or more of the following: a U.S. military veteran, a non-traditional student (30 years old or older), a student with a disability, a minority student, and/or a LGBTQ student.
$250-$750
The API regional scholarships (Asia/Middle East, Europe, Latin America) provide awards that range from $250 to $800 per session. All API students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher are encouraged to apply. The scholarship is both need and merit-based. We will review your academic record, essays and financial need as stated in your own words. This scholarship is offered to quarter/semester, academic year, and summer students.
$250-$800
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