Yara Al-Jitan's Unique Semester Abroad at Colchester, England

Yara Al-Jitan

When Yara Al-Jitan landed in Colchester, England, for her Fall 2019 study abroad at the University of Essex, it wasn't quite what she expected. Colchester was extremely different from the UAE; it's a small, quaint town populated with tiny houses and no buildings. But Yara soon began to realize that she didn't need to be in a bustling city to have a great study abroad experience.

Yara, an international relations major, had her concerns before she left for her study abroad: "I was so scared, because I knew I’d have to leave my family and my friends and be on my own. It was [also] kind of exciting, but honestly, the thought of being away from my little brother for so long - super scary! So I just tried to block that thought out, and it worked! I think I’d give that piece of advice: don’t think about it too much."

She also had some expectations for her semester abroad. Yara says she had an image of study abroad from movies, websites and pictures - that it would be fast-paced and chock-full of experiencing new things and going to glamorous places.

However, Colchester was a different type of study abroad destination. "I feel like it was good because I slowly started to realize that I don’t have to do that to have a good study abroad experience. There's so much more I could do. So I used that time to just sit down and reflect on my own, and as surprising as it sounds, I reconnected with my religion, my people, and myself. I think I’ve also become a lot more independent. I grew a lot, I’ve learned so much, and I’m just able to handle myself no matter what's thrown at me."

The University of Essex also has a lot of historic and cultural importance, which made it fascinating to the international relations major. "The university was a space for minorities to speak up. Nelson Mandela once visited there. It was really nice to be there, because you can feel how politically active everyone is," she said. "I was able to open dialogues and talk openly and constructively about issues that are very important to me as an international relations major. It helped me understand what I want to do and where I want to go in the future."

Yara concludes that the best part of her experience was the personal growth she experienced. To any prospective study abroad students, she says, "Just go on your own terms, have no expectations, and make of it everything you can. It doesn't have to be what other people say it has to be."


Suzana Saoud
IXO Publicity Specialist

Shahid Shamshu, Graduate Student at Texas A&M University and Former IXO Peer Advisor

Shahid Shamshu

Shahid Shamshu is our former Peer Advisor who graduated from AUS in Spring 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. Since then, he has become a graduate student at Texas A&M University, TX, USA. According to Shahid, his Fall 2012 study abroad has helped him in his graduate school application, in professional settings, and in his personal life.

Shahid studied abroad at North Carolina State University, NC, USA, and this experience helped him develop mentally and personally: “Having grown up in the Middle East and not really travelled much earlier, my study abroad experience left a huge impact on my personal life. It was a major step outside my comfort zone and exposed me to people from different cultures. This really helped me explore my independence, develop a broader mindset and increase my confidence."

His study abroad has also helped him in interviews. "Having a study abroad experience on my LinkedIn/résumé has always been a great conversation starter in a lot of professional settings like interviews or networking events," he said. "People are always interested in learning more about your study abroad experience."

Additionally, Shahid gained professional skills from his study abroad. "I think some of the skills that my employer values that I’ve gained from my study abroad experience would be the ability to work well in a team setting with different people from different backgrounds."

Another pro of his study abroad was having it on his résumé when he applied for graduate school: "I do believe it gave my graduate school application a push towards the right direction and it definitely took up a good chunk of my statement of purpose in the application."

"I think the biggest and most significant gain [from my study abroad] would be the exposure to different people and cultures, which in turn makes a person more open-minded," he said. "Additionally, it is a huge step out of one's comfort zone, which is very essential for the growth of a person on all fronts."


Suzana Saoud
IXO Publicity Specialist

Leontia D'Silva, AUS Alumna and Digital Marketing Executive at Wasl Group

Leontia D'Silva

Leontia D'Silva is an AUS management information systems alumna who studied abroad at Montana State University, MT, USA, in Spring 2017. She worked at our office as a Peer Advisor until her graduation in 2018, and today, she is the Digital Executive of Marketing and Corporate Communications at Wasl Asset Management Group, Dubai. Leontia's study abroad allowed her to leave her comfort zone, learn about herself, and develop useful skills that continue to benefit her years after graduation.

Leontia says her study abroad experience broadened her horizons. "It taught me how to be independent and how to take responsibility. It taught me how to deal with a lot of internal emotions that I’d never experienced before. I'd always lived with my parents before that, so the exchange program was an overall great experience for me."

"There are a lot of things you can gain from a study abroad experience, but I think the most significant gain would be just getting to know yourself better," she said. "In [the UAE], you're in your comfort zone, and you’re doing everything according to that. When you go abroad to study, everything is different and you adapt yourself to all of these new situations. You get to learn a lot about yourself while handling these situations."

Since studying abroad, Leontia feels more confident to travel by herself. "I think I can confidently take up going anywhere and just live on my own. Since I could go to Montana, I could probably go anywhere," she said.

She says the biggest skill she developed while she was abroad was networking: "I obviously had no friends [in Montana]. I didn't know anyone so I had to talk to people, get to know them, and figure out who I wanted to hang out with."

The courses Leontia took abroad also helped her develop herself more. "I took a World Cultures course there, and that taught me a lot about world history and how that has affected our modern lives," she said. "I think that was one of the things that has really helped me after I graduated."


Suzana Saoud
IXO Publicity Specialist

Mohamed Hegazi, AUS Alumnus and Key Accounts Supervisor at Philip Morris International

Mohamed Hegazi

Mohamed Hegazi studied abroad at Louisiana State University, LA, USA, back in Fall 2013, and the experience impacts his life until today. He is an AUS civil engineering alumnus and a former IXO Peer Advisor, and he currently works as a Key Accounts Supervisor at Philip Morris International in Ukraine. His study abroad played a large role in helping him secure his current job, which takes him all over the world.

Mohamed says his study abroad shaped the person he is today, professionally and personally. "It gave me the opportunity to see the world from a different perspective. [Previously,] I did not have much travel experience. Since my graduation [in Fall 2015], I’ve worked in three different countries and now travel regularly to at least 10 countries a year. I cannot narrow down the most significant gain from the experience because there are too many."

Study abroad didn't help Mohamed find a job, but it helped him get a job. "During the internship challenge at AUS, I spoke about the experiences I had abroad, and I was one of six students offered an internship out of 500," he said. "The internship was at [Philip Morris International,] a multinational company, so studying abroad was a plus. It proved that I was able to interact with a diverse population and it made me stand out."

"I completed the internship one month before I graduated from AUS, and I was offered a full-time job and still work for the same company today," Mohamed said.

"I thank IXO from the bottom of my heart for the opportunities I’ve had, my time [abroad] and the impact it has made on my life."


Suzana Saoud
IXO Publicity Specialist

Busy Weekend for IXO Students

Our incoming students are deeply involved in the vibrant life at AUS. Over just one weekend, a number of them volunteered to teach CleanCo English classes, participated in the AUS Model Congress, and took part in Al Dhaid's bedouin documentary filming. These endeavors allowed our students to try something new, hone their skills, meet new people, and have fun!

CleanCo English Class

David and his students

David Daugherty is an international business major who joined us this semester from Cedarville University, OH, USA. A few weeks back, he volunteered to teach one of the free English classes provided to the CleanCo staff at AUS. "I wanted to give back to those who give so much to this university," he said. "As I began to settle into my time in the UAE, I met so many amazing workers who do whatever it takes to provide for my needs. Whether I was enjoying a cortado at a local coffee shop or relaxing in the cleanliness of my own dorm room, I owed so much to those unseen heroes. As such, I jumped at the chance to meet more friendly faces and help them practice a skill that may help them in the future."

David himself got a lot out of teaching the class: "I honestly had so much fun. I really like leading discussions and public speaking. I enjoyed getting to know each of the students' personalities and skill levels as we practiced new vocabulary together. Who knows, maybe I'll be a full-time instructor someday! I still see those guys around campus and they repeat to me some of the words that we learned together. I know that learning a language can be difficult so I'm really proud of them all. They seem like hard workers and I hope that my efforts at least helped them gain some confidence."

"Sure, my one class didn't change anyone's life - I just want to take every opportunity possible to draw attention to their dignity as fellow human beings, worthy of all the same respect that they've shown me. I wish them the best as they move forward!"

AUS Model Congress

Rachel Iverson at the Model Congress

Several of our students and IXO team members took part in this year's AUS Model Congress. Rachel Iverson, our incoming international relations major from Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN, USA, served as Vice President (co-chair) of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. "At my home university, I have been an avid participant in Model United Nations and Model Arab League through my school’s United Nations International Relations Club, at which I served as an executive board member last year," she said. "I had never participated in a Model Congress and it sounded very fun. I was torn on taking part in it but I’m so glad I decided to participate as a chair."

Rachel and fellow committee members

"I got to work with amazing teens and young adults ranging in age from 12 to 22 in my committee. My participation allowed me to serve as a role model for the young delegates as well as to make lifelong friends with people from all over the world."

IXO team members Bayan Al-Masri, Zara Khan, and Elizabeth Atork also took part in the AUSMC. Bayan, an IXO publicity specialist, played the role of Vice President of the National Security Council. "My role enabled me to guide the sessions with my co-chair, the President, as well as take part in debate with my delegates," she said.

Bayan at the AUSMC

Bayan decided to participate in the Model Congress because it is unique in this region: "AUS does the only Model Congress in the region, and this is only the second year they do it - yet we hosted over 1,000 people for the weekend it took place. Being able to help moderate and elevate the experience for our delegates was something I'm truly proud of having been a part of."

Bayan and fellow committee members

When asked what her favorite moment of the AUSMC was, Bayan said there were numerous moments to choose from. "Perhaps my favorite one was watching a delegate challenge a chair (a notion unique to Model Congress) and debate him over his decision," she said.

On the other hand, our peer advisor Zara served as an Attorney in the Supreme Court and even won the Distinguished Delegate award. "I was a petitioner for Planned Parenthood and a respondent for the Federal Circuit Court," she said.

"[Through delegating at the Model Congress], I gained great public speaking and debating skills. Attorneys were questioned on the spot, so I also learned how to articulate arguments off-the-cuff. Through the research I had to do in order to prepare, I also got a lot more exposure to various laws and issues that are relevant not only in the USA but also globally. Moreover, it was a great opportunity to meet different people and make new connections."

Zara with her Distinguished Delegate award

Al Dhaid Bedouin Documentary Filming

This semester, Al Dhaid invited our students to participate in the filming of their documentary about international students experiencing the bedouin lifestyle. Our students got to do lots of exciting things as part of the filming, including riding camels, going to a shooting range, watching camel racing, and visiting a museum for classic cars.

At the shooting range

Kenzo Scheerlinck, our Fall 2019 student from Loyola University, Chicago, IL, USA, experienced a first during the filming: "I loved riding a camel around. It was a blast, considering I'd never done anything like that before," he said. He also greatly enjoyed talking with Mr. Khalifa: "He was a very interesting person who knew so much about everything!"

Kenzo riding a camel

All that over three days - our students are clearly making the most of their time here!


Suzana Saoud
IXO Publicity Specialist

Summer at the University of Oxford

Salma Elgerby at our office

English major Salma Elgerby had a genuinely special semester abroad at the University of Oxford's Exeter College, Oxford, England, in Summer 2019. From Harry Potter-esque house sorting to one-on-one tutorials with faculty, Salma got to enjoy the uniquely British character of the college - and she wishes the experience had never ended. She told us a bit about her time there, and on Nov. 17, she will deliver the bulk of our information session about this program to encourage other AUS students to take the opportunity.

Salma absolutely loved the experience and said the "worst thing about it is that it ended." She said the Exeter College Summer Program provides 'Program Ambassadors,' who are like parents. The 83 students who attended last summer were divided into houses, like in Harry Potter and as is typical of the British system. Each house had a 'parent' (who was actually another Oxford student) to provide guidance and organize a wide range of daily activities for the students. The students got to do 3-4 activities per day, including punting on the river, boutique shopping, trips to London to visit The Shakespeare Globe Theatre, and more. Salma added that the housing itself was like a hotel - it was extremely nice and even better than she expected.

Salma took two courses during the summer: Literatures of Modernism, which transferred back to AUS as a 3-credit course, and Moral Philosophy. The credits for the latter didn't transfer, but she loved the course and was really glad to have taken it. She said there was a heavy reading load, but it was manageable, and she got an A- in both courses. The structure for Oxford courses is quite different from AUS; for each course, they have six lectures (of 1.5 hours each, and with little student participation), then six seminars (with lots of discussion and participation), and then four tutorials. According to Salma, the tutorials were the best part, as they had two-on-one or even one-on-one discussions with faculty, which resulted in very intellectual conversations.

We asked her about why she was okay taking courses when she knew the credits wouldn't transfer, and she said there was a lot of value and knowledge in that course. She added that this whole opportunity led to recommendation letters from Oxford faculty and contacts all over the world, and you never really know where all that could lead to.


Suzana Saoud
IXO Publicity Specialist

Embracing the Unexpected: Ali Srour's Semester in the Netherlands

Ali Srour at a carnival in the Netherlands

Some of the best things that happen to you are things that you didn't plan for. Ali Srour knows this firsthand. Before Ali headed to the Netherlands for his semester abroad at Tilburg University, he wrote a letter to himself detailing the goals he wanted to achieve during his time abroad. Things didn't go exactly as he mapped them out, but Ali had an exciting, unique, colorful experience regardless - and he plans to return to the Netherlands for his graduate studies.

Ali is a finance major and psychology minor. His fields of study were the main reasons he chose to go to Tilburg University in Spring 2019: "Tilburg is one of the top 50 universities worldwide in business, economics, law and psychology, so I chose it for that," he said. The first unplanned aspect of his journey was that the Netherlands and Tilburg University were his fourth option, preceded by three universities in New Zealand.

Ali reads from the letter he wrote to himself: "I wrote, 'I'm probably not going to read this letter because I will stay [in the Netherlands], but if I don't then that means I came back for graduation and that I will be going back there afterwards.' Which is true, I came back for graduation," he said. "My goals there were to get a scholarship, an internship, a job offer, [and] to have a plan for me to migrate there. See, I didn't get a scholarship because they only give them to Dutch students there. As for the internship, they prefer native Dutch speakers. I couldn't get the job offer because I couldn't get an internship, but I definitely have a plan now."

Ali with his letter to himself and IXO Publicity Specialist Bayan Al-Masri

Laughing, he adds, "I also [wrote] a small note for myself, which is 'Keep It Simple, Stupid.' Because I was really anxious about it, and I was planning a lot and going crazy."

During his time abroad, Ali took up cycling, which is very popular in the Netherlands. "I went on bicycle trips from one town to another, which was a distance of around 150 km. It’s like going to Abu Dhabi, but by bicycle. Traveling is really easy over there because if you have a residence permit, you can go to any European country [in the EU] without a visa. For example, if you wanted to go from Tilburg to Paris, it’s only 50 euros, which is about 200 dirhams. I also once travelled across all the towns and cities of the Netherlands on a train."

Ali was the only Arab and Muslim there during his semester abroad, but he managed to befriend many people from different backgrounds. "My closest friend [there] was a Norwegian guy. He was in the room next to mine. I was also friends with a Turkish guy. And I made a lot of friends through playing sports, namely powerlifting and football," he said.

Ali and friends at the carnival

Once Ali graduates from AUS, he plans to return to the Netherlands. "I'm going to do my master's degree in Leiden University, which is one of the top universities in the country. I [now] have a very good idea of how the system works there; I know the fees, how much you would earn in a part-time job, the living costs. So the experience readied me for the real deal, and it was a great experience; I would recommend it for sure."

Watch a video Ali made about his semester abroad:

Suzana Saoud
IXO Publicity Specialist