Study Abroad: American University of Sharjah in UAE

Compared to universities in middle east, AUS is one of the best. I took 7 courses, 4 of them were helpful, but the remaining were not. The core courses are:
-Modeling and simulation (was very helpful, only the modeling part were we get to know Lagrange..)
-Advanced Control (with Dr.rached dhaouadi, he is the best who can teach you this course)
-Advanced Math. (it was a revision for differential equations and Laplace..)
also not to forget : embedded systems, though this course was the same as the bachelor level because some students come from a mechanical background.

The core courses were good, but the elective courses, not all of them was. Because the department does not offer the interesting courses like machine vision and robotics and autonomous systems every year. In fact during my stay these courses never got offered.

Adaptive control was a very helpful course with Dr shayok who is totally into control.
Advanced Manufacturing processes: this course is totally not helpful, it was useless unfortunately.

Research: they fund research better than other universities around the region, but this funding is not enough. Research topics are limited but you can come up with a topic, the professors won't reject.

Mechatronics lab and equipment: the lab is not good (again if you compare it with universities like for instance Jordan university of science and technology where I took mu bachelor, you will find the lab good) .
It is missing many components, the university doesn't care much about the lab, old computers, no mobile robots that are ready to use and so on..
If you need equipment they can buy it for you, but you will have to wait (up to one semester) which is bad becuase normally you wouldn't have that time

Dorms the housing: very good

In Fall of 2015 of my junior year, I decided to study abroad at the American University of Sharjah. Five months later, I could say that this was an experience that I will hold close to my heart for the rest of my life. Theatre 352: Dance Styles of the Stage at the American University of Sharjah made me feel as if the program was my perfect match. From the age of 3 until now, dance has been my artistic outlet and fortunately it has remained a part of my life, even in college. When I discovered that AUS offered a dance course, I knew it would be the perfect class to balance all of my other difficult science courses. My learning experience in the class was endless because we studied so many different genres of dance ranging from Broadway to Hip Hop to Bollywood. Also, as the class doesn’t require auditions, there were students with various backgrounds in dance, some who have never taken a dance class before and others who have been dancing for longer periods of time. The diversity in the class made the process that much more rewarding because I was able to share my love of dance with my classmates. Other notable experiences from the class were when we performed for a labor camp, as well as for a charity event for children with special needs. Both of these events were extremely eye opening and inspiring. Also, having the opportunity to dance and learn from Professor Mina was probably the best part of the entire experience for me. She served as my mentor in tap dance and I learned so much from her. Not to mention the people in my class are so kind hearted and generous and they have remained my closest friends since I have returned home. I would say that dance definitely helped me become more integrated with the AUS community and I’m so grateful for all of the new relationships that came out of it.

Studying abroad at the American University of Sharjah has taught me a lot about what it means to be alive as myself. It has expanded my consciousness in ways that I never thought possible. I know a few more Arabic words than I did when I left the US. I've learned that human beings are mostly good. I've learned that friends come and go, but true love lasts forever.

During my time abroad, 150 AED was stolen from me. I was so upset because it was during a time when I was struggling financially. I continued to think, “why me?” for several days. Soon after this, I found a woman’s handbag in the middle of the road. All of her personal and important belongings were in it, and had I not stumbled upon it and turned it in, someone could have stolen from her the same way that someone stole from me.

Karma knocked on my door when Sheikh Mansoor, my political science professor, invited myself, Danielle and Simone to his estate in Ali-Ain. At the beginning of my semester abroad at American University of Sharjah, I made a life changing decision and enrolled in Sheikh Mansoor Bin Tahnoon Al Nehayan’s political science course. I have to say; it was one of the best decisions of my life, as I have learned so much just from sitting with him for 2 hours and 30 minutes per week. I asked him if he would be willing to sit down for dinner. Little did I know that I was in for a big surprise. After being picked up by his driver, we arrived at his estate in Al-Ain. We waited in his masjlis as Sheikh Mansoor and his sons arrived by helicopter.

My favorite part about the experience was lunch. We ate with our hands (I intend to incorporate this into my daily life), and it felt so natural and refreshing. Not to mention, the traditional Emirati meal was phenomenal. After a hefty meal, we enjoyed cake and then headed out in the truck to tour the farm. The first thing I noticed was how happy the animals were. They were treated very well and actively responded to engaging with us, especially the camels! It was easy to notice how intentional Sheikh Mansoor is about tending to and caring for his family and his land. We were blown away when we returned from touring the farm, and Sheikh Mansoor asked us if we wanted to fly in the helicopter! It was such a thrill! I have never been in a helicopter before, nor has anyone been able to change my life in such a short amount of time.

Before we concluded our time with Sheikh Mansoor, his sons drove us around the open land in 4x4s to see the wild animals! Just when we thought our tip to Al-Ain couldn’t get any better, Sheikh Mansoor said that he wanted us to go to the mall with his driver and pick out any gifts that we wanted! We cried. We couldn’t believe the hospitality and generosity. I bought a Michael Kors watch and DSLR Canon Camera. I cherish both gifts, and am so happy that I will be able to document my time abroad via my new camera. Besides getting spoiled, I am blessed to have Sheikh Mansoor be part of my study abroad experience. He is an incredible and intelligent human being and I thank God for making him part of my journey.

Studying abroad in the United Arab Emirates has been the most humbling for me. While growing up America, one is endlessly being badgered with negative images of the middle east. I am not surprised to discover that it is incredibly peaceful here and nowhere near as bad as America is. I have felt nothing but welcomed here in the UAE. The American Univeristy of Sharjah is actually more rigorous than my home university, which was challenging but much needed.

I studied abroad at the the American University of Sharjah over this past summer and had the most culturally enriching experience I could have ever asked for. My regular school days consisted of my six hour Arabic language program, socializing in the dining area and in the dorms, and exploring new restaurants outside the university gates for dinner. My weekends on the other hand varied greatly from one another. They consisted either from roaming the desert of Dubai on camelback, tanning on the beautiful beaches off of the Arabian Gulf, exploring the in's and out's of a few of the other emirates, standing at the top of the tallest building in the world (Burj Khalifa), or riding the fastest roller coaster ever recorded in largest indoor amusement park in the world(Ferrari world), and never was I ever bored, I was able to do things I would have never thought I would have been able to do . My time there was full of new and exhilarating experiences, ones that I will never forget. Something that I did quite often with my friends and one of my fondest memories was watching the water show outside of the Mall of the Emirates. Although it wasn't as elaborate as the time I had a falcon put on my head, or as extravagant as eating Iftar at the Atlantis resort on the Palm Island, it was still something I was always so excited to watch, something that was always able to put a big smile on my face no matter how many times I had seen it. The only thing that I found difficult to deal with was the heat. Not the program, not the people, just the heat. It was just something I had never experienced before, but I eventually became accustomed to it. Overall, the trip was a success and something I would do over in a heartbeat!

When traveling to the UAE, think security. Safety. AUS is a university within walls, with dorms within walls that have curfews. While life is regimented, it is sweet.
The IXO (International Exchange Office) is incredibly welcoming, providing students with their immediate needs while providing avenues for peripheral ones, meaning students are well-grounded and able to plan their own study-abroad experience.

Studying in American University of Sharjah(AUS) has been the best decision that I have ever made in my life. I absolutely love the school, the class and the culture of UAE. It's a completely life changing learning experience that had for one semester.

Having the privilege to study abroad from North America to AUS allows me to understand that there are so many things that I have not yet understand. Simply being here walking around the gorgeous campus, meeting up with new friends is a trigger for me to keep learning and embrace this country.

I will definitely recommend everyone to join the exchange program and study at AUS

The IXO (International Exchange Office) team/family has gone above and beyond to make our stay at AUS a positive and memorable learning experience. They plan outings and excursions for us as a group, and have also befriended us as individuals. If we experience even the slightest bump in the road, be academic, administrative, or residential, they will move mountains (or rather, sand dunes) to smooth it out and put our qualms to rest. Our peer mentors are incredibly down to earth and are our friends; they make no attempts to belittle and they certainly treat us like one of their own despite the fact we are foreigners. Many of my friends and family were worried about me coming to the Middle East to study, but I feel more safe on campus at AUS than I do at my home institution, due to the high number of security guards and well-lit pathways.