New Semester!

With the change of semesters comes a change of new students. We wave bon voyage to the out going students and welcomed the new batch of IXO Students. many of the students arrived the day of the Family Orientation and were greeted by our wonderful IXO team. No sooner than their arrival, they were whisked away on the Orientation week events.

With sightseeing like the Burj Khalifa, Sharjah Heritage Area and much more, they were ready to begin the new semester with IXO. 

Recently arrived IXO students explored Abu Dhabi on Febuary 10th, visiting the Louvre, Masdar city, and the Shiekh Zayed Grand Mosque. 

World Patch for Graduates

IXO will be handing out world patches to all graduating students who have studied abroad via IXO to honor their achievements and congratulate them on completing their higher education.

We encourage students who are graduating in Spring 2017 to stop by and collect these badges from our office in the main building (MG 43).

World patch for graduating students who studied abroad

UAE voted best country for study abroad!

According to a survey completed by 8,000 Millennials, UAE was ranked the best country to study abroad (followed by Singapore and India) as reported by the US News. The attributes assessed during the survey included cultural accessibility, enjoyment and cultural attractions. Please find the complete article at https://tinyurl.com/n75ncsd

Zachary Londo Visits IXO

IXO enjoyed a surprise visit from Zachary Londo in March during his spring break in the UAE. Zachary is an aerospace engineering student at the University of Alabama and had studied abroad at AUS in Spring 2016 via API. We hope Zachary enjoyed his spring break here in the UAE!

Zachary Londo with Grace Morales in IXO

Scholarships Abroad

Former IXO Peer Advisor and international relations major Anusha Grewal is currently studying abroad with a scholarship at Cyprus International University as a visiting student. She had previously been abroad in Spring 2016 as a part of the Semester at Sea program. 

Anusha found schools outside of the US and UK that provide scholarships for international students. She advised that students consider going abroad as a visiting student, as these programs can sometimes be very affordable.

Outbound Summer Study Abroad Process

Are you studying abroad this summer? Please remember that all outbound summer study abroad applications are processed directly through the Office of the Registrar (MG10B). IXO does not collect applications for outbound summer study abroad.

Students can download the Summer Study Abroad Course Approval Form here: https://www.aus.edu/downloads/file/1442/permission_to_take_summer_courses_outside_aus.

International Students Contribute Everywhere

According to a recent paper by the Institute of International Education (February 2017), which can be found at tinyurl.com/lbgml6e, international students in the US contribute significantly to the country financially, academically, socially and innovatively. These contributions hold for incoming international students to the Middle East as well. They help in shaping the UAE’s economy in many ways and influence our students greatly by expanding their perspectives and understanding of the world outside.

10 Simple Steps to Study Abroad

Embark on a life-changing journey with these 10 simple steps.

Exchange Alumni Stop By IXO

Miwa Yamanaka (International Christian University, Japan) and Majdal Ismail (Louisiana State University, USA) visited IXO during the past few weeks, after studying abroad here during the Academic Year 2015-2016.

Miwa was traveling to this region and decided to visit the IXO team along with her AUS friends Mohammed Al Labadi and Douriya Djabri, both of whom she met during her time studying at AUS. Majdal stopped by IXO with her cousins Yazan and Anas during her visit to the UAE for her cousin’s wedding.

We are always excited to see our students come back and visit us. We wish Miwa and Majdal the very best!

From left to right: Mohammed, Miwa and Douriya

From left to right: Yazan, Majdal and Anas

                                                                                                                                                                        

Boston College Partnership

As a part of the exchange program, we are partnered with Boston College and we currently have our first student studying abroad through this partnership. His name is Ammar Alnimr and he is attending Boston College in Massachusetts, USA, for Spring 2017.

Ammar said that he has had a very warm welcome and that he is particularly enjoying experiencing a different culture. “Boston College is a Jesuit school and it respects all ethnicities and religions. It welcomes diversity and promotes its students to be open to change and success,” he said.

Ammar said he participates in the Arab Student Association and the Muslim Student Association, goes to the nearby mosque regulary and also participates in Arab cultural activities. 

He said he has deep respect for the people of Boston, as they are peaceful, educated, goal-focused, success-oriented and interested in contributing to their society.

There are several facilities at the historic college, such as a meal plan, a recreational complex with a gym and pool, and libraries. The campus is in the suburban part of the city and is very close to downtown. He has also travelled to New York, Florida and the Bahamas. He estimates that the cost for dorms, the meal plan and insurance would be around  US $9,000.

He said that this experience has been uplifting in many ways and recommends that AUS students go to Boston College.

We are glad that Ammar embarked on this journey and we look forward to welcoming him back soon!

 Ammar Alnimr at Boston College

Have a Great Spring Break!

On behalf of IXO, we wish all a lovely Spring Break.

IXO on Social Media

To get instant news and updates from us, follow us on Facebook at IXO at AUS, Twitter at @IXOatAUS, Instagram at @ixoataus, and our new Snapchat account at ixoataus. Also, check out our blog at ixoataus.blogspot.ae. 

Study Abroad, Spring/CY 2018

Applications are now open for AUS students who want to study abroad in Spring 2018, or for the full calendar year of 2018. The deadline to apply is May 6, 2017.

Visit IXO (MG43) to talk to a Peer Advisor about your many options. To apply, or for more information, visit www.aus.edu/ixo or contact us at ixo@aus.edu.

Outbound Summer Study Abroad Process

Are you studying abroad this summer? Please remember that all outbound summer study abroad applications are processed directly through the Office of the Registrar (MG10B). IXO does not collect applications for outbound summer study abroad.

Students can download the Summer Study Abroad Course Approval Form here: https://www.aus.edu/downloads/file/1442/permission_to_take_summer_courses_outside_aus.

Outbound Summer Study Abroad Process

IXO does not collect applications for outbound summer study abroad. All outbound summer study abroad applications are processed directly through the Office of the Registrar (MG10B). Check the AUS website or email the Office of the Registrar at
registration@aus.edu.

However, anyone interested in studying abroad during summer is welcome to stop by IXO and check out our 2017 Summer Course Booklet to view some of the opportunities and programs that are available. Also, you can download the Study Abroad Course Approval Form from our website, https://www.aus.edu/downloads/file/1442/permission_to_take_summer_courses_outside_aus.

Study Abroad in Spring or Fall 2018

Applications are now open for AUS students who want to study abroad in Spring 2018 or Fall 2018 semester or for the full academic year of 2017-18.

The deadline for Spring 2018 applications is May 6, 2017. The deadline for Fall 2018 applications is December 2, 2017.

Visit IXO (MG43) to talk to a Peer Advisor about your many options. To apply, or for more information, visit www.aus.edu/ixo or contact us at ixo@aus.edu.

Profile of Fall IXO Students

New Bilateral Partners

AUS has recently signed new exchange agreements, as follows:

• Boston College: specific to SBA and CAS majors
• University of Texas at Austin: specific to CEN majors

Apply now to study abroad at these universities! 

For more information, visit www.aus.edu/ixo.

Fall 2015 Incoming Study Abroad Students

As we start this semester, we hope you will join IXO in welcoming the Fall 2015 incoming study abroad students to AUS. IXO has received a total of 45 students this semester, from many countries including the US, UK, Mexico, Sweden, Finland, France, Germany, Bolivia, Brazil and Japan.

Fall 2015 incoming study abroad students and IXO
team

Amgen Scholars Program

The Amgen Scholars Program is an internationally recognized undergraduate research initiative offering undergraduates the opportunity to  collaborate with faculty at top institutions on cutting-edge scientific research.

University of Tokyo

Amgen Scholars have represented over500 colleges and universities to date. AUS students can now apply to be Amgen Scholars at leading institutions in Japan: Kyoto University and The University of Tokyo. This is a unique opportunity for students to gain valuable exposure to Japan’s academic and research culture.
 
The deadline to apply is February 2, 2015. Eligibility requirements and site-specific programming information are available via www.amgenscholars.com. Click here to learn more about the Amgen Foundation’s commitment to advancing STEM education in the US, Europe and now Japan.