ACADEMIC CALENDAR

The American University in Cairo is a private liberal arts institution. The majority of the student body is Egyptian, but many other nationalities are also represented on campus. Most of the students attending AUC are degree-seeking students trying to obtain their bachelor or master's degree, much like you are trying to do at your institution. Our academic calendar is available online here. You should review the academic calendar to help you plan when you will need to be in Cairo. Some important dates to keep in mind for the spring 2011 semester are:

January 22-27 Mandatory international student orientation week for ALI and Study Abroad students

January 23-24 ALI registration and oral placement examination

January 27 ALI orientation

January 30 First day of class

May 26 Last day of semester examinations for Study Abroad students

May 19- Last day of ALI classes and Final Exams

ADVISING AND REGISTRATION

The academic advising and registration process for study abroad students is done by the International Programs Office. Please refer to the IPO website for important dates and instructions regarding registration. Questions concerning academic advising, registration, requests for course syllabi, and any other questions of an academic nature should be directed to the International Programs Office.

The advising and registration process for ALI students is done by the Arabic Language Institute.

RESIDENTIAL LIFE

The American University in Cairo has student residences on campus or in the Zamalek residence near downtown Cairo. Information on housing options, dates, and regulations can be found by visiting Residential Life.

The online housing application for spring 2011 will become available on November 15, 2010. Housing is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

Choosing to stay in student housing provides a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends and build a support system in a foreign country. The Office of Residential Life also provides students with opportunities to travel and explore Cairo. While staying in student housing is not mandatory, it is recommended. Study abroad students from another university should verify the university's policy on residing in student housing. Many students who choose to stay in off-campus housing often feel isolated from the rest of the student body and find it more difficult to meet new people while they are in Cairo. Pillows and linens are provided for students in AUC housing, but food must be purchased separately. AUC does not have a meal plan. Students living in the Zamalek residence have access to the Zamalek cafeteria, and students residing on campus have access to the campus food outlets.

If you choose not to stay in AUC housing, you may need to make hotel reservations for at least the first few days while you search for an apartment. More information regarding off-campus housing can be found here. Information can also be obtained by contacting International Student Affairs.

APPLYING FOR HOUSING

Students apply online to request housing assignments. The housing application for spring 2011 will be available online on November 15, 2010. The student housing application requires a housing application fee of $25.00 and a housing deposit of $300.00. Students interested in student housing should first read the Financial and Social Regulations available on the Residential Life section of the AUC website. Completing the housing application and paying the deposit means that you are entering a housing contract. There are financial penalties if you decide to withdraw from housing after completing the application.

The earliest date that students can begin moving into student housing for the spring 2011 session is January 20, 2011. The last day of occupancy for the spring 2011 session is May 28, 2011.

AIRPORT PICKUP

The flight to Cairo is often a long one, and the last thing you may want to do upon arriving is haggle with a cab driver. Many of the taxis in Egypt are not metered, so you should always make sure you agree on the price of the trip before getting into the taxi.

The Travel Office of AUC makes arrangements to meet students at the airport, but you must request this service. If you would like to have a representative from AUC meet you at the airport upon arrival and take you to your destination in Cairo, please arrange for an airport pickup. You will need your flight information and student information before submitting this request. This service is approximately $12.00, and students can be met at any time regardless of the time of arrival. However, you must submit your request for airport pickup no later than ten (10) days before your arrival. Requests for this service are made online here.

VISA REQUIREMENTS

Egypt requires that you have a tourist visa in order to enter the country. You should contact the Egyptian consulate that serves your region in order to make arrangements for the issuance of a tourist visa. AUC works with the Ministry of Education in Egypt to obtain your student visa, which is not issued to you until after your arrival on campus. Students must register for full-time study in order to qualify for a student visa. In order to receive the student visa, you must have submitted a copy of your passport to AUC along with the International Student Data form. Failure to have submitted these documents will result in a delay of your student visa.

More information on student visas, including information for Egyptian/dual nationals, can be found here. AUC SHUTTLE SYSTEM

Because the main campus of AUC is located in a developing suburb of Cairo, it is important for students to have access to the campus, the city, and the multitude of social, cultural, and educational opportunities it offers. The University bus system serves both city residents who commute to campus during the week, and students living on campus who wish to experience the Cairo nightlife or explore the city on weekends.

The shuttle system is shared by students, staff, and faculty. From the Zamalek student residence, the shuttle ride to the campus can range from 45 minutes to one hour.

Students living in the AUC dormitory in Zamalek are required to purchase an unlimited shuttle pass for their commute to campus during the school week. Students attending through study abroad programs at institutions in the US will want to consult with their study abroad offices to determine if the bus pass will be covered by their institution or if the bus pass will be the responsibility of the student.

There is a shuttle stop two blocks from the Zamalek residence for students.

Students living on campus may purchase an unlimited pass. Students attending through a study abroad program should verify with their home university if the bus pass will be covered under any special arrangements. Please click here for more information about the University Shuttle system, including its schedule.

MEDICAL INFORMATION

The Medical Services Department of The American University in Cairo is dedicated to promoting the health and wellness of the AUC student body. The AUC clinic is open on weekdays from 8:30AM to 4:30PM. A physician and nurse are also available for emergencies after hours.

A medical service clinic is also located in the Zamalek dormitory and is open from 5:00AM to 7:00PM on Saturdays, Mondays, and Wednesdays. There is also an AUC medical clinic located on the downtown campus.

More information on the medical clinic can be found by visiting the webpage of the medical clinic.

If you are currently taking regular medication, it is important to remember that your medication may not be available in Egypt. You will want to consult with your physician and also contact the AUC Medical Services Department to verify that your medication will be available. The same medication that you take here could be available in Egypt under a different name

Questions about the AUC clinic should be directed to Dr. Mohamed Amin.

All students are charged a medical service fee that covers the use of the AUC clinic. Students are not able to request an exemption from this fee. MANDATORY HEALTH INSURANCE AUC requires that all international students have health insurance. AUC automatically charges you for this insurance. Details of the policy can be found here.

MEDICAL INSURANCE EXEMPTION

If you currently are covered under an insurance plan that will provide coverage in Egypt and provides policy limits that either meet or exceed those offered by the AUC policy, you can request an exemption from the medical insurance fee. To request a medical insurance exemption, please contact Sarah Saher.

The deadline to submit this request for the spring 2011 semester is January 1, 2011.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

You are required to submit the results of a full physical examination to AUC, including the results of a recent HIV examination. These are required before you arrive in Cairo. This information should be sent to the New York office of AUC. A sample physical examination form has been included with this email for your convenience. Please have your physician use his or her best judgment when determining which medical tests are necessary.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Planning how you will handle money while you are in Egypt will improve your international experience. The last thing you want to happen while you are in a foreign country is to realize that you are out of money and have no way to get more. For that reason, it is important to consider how much money you will budget for your study abroad experience and how you will handle your money once you are in Cairo. The currency in Egypt is the Egyptian pound. The exchange rate tends to fluctuate between 5.5 Egyptian pounds and 6 Egyptian pounds to 1 US dollar. However, you should always check currency conversion rates with banks to be sure of the rate.

How you should handle your money and banking while you are in Cairo is important. Traveler's checks are useful only because they can easily be replaced if lost or stolen. However, we do not recommend that students bring traveler's checks because it is difficult to find a place in Cairo that will cash them. Egypt is a mostly cash based society, so you'll find that credit cards are only useful at major chain restaurants, hotels, and popular tourist destinations.

You should maintain your personal checking account and withdraw money from ATMs after verifying that you will be able to use your ATM card while abroad. Keep in mind that withdrawing money from ATMs could mean that you will incur ATM fees and currency conversion rates as established by your lending institution. There are ATMs throughout Cairo and on campus, and you may want to consider opening an account with an international bank with a presence in Egypt in order to avoid ATM fees. HSBC has many ATMs in Cairo and allows you to open a personal checking account online that can be linked to a checking account with another institution so that money can be easily transferred.

The following are estimates of expenses per semester you are likely to incur while studying abroad in Cairo. These amounts will not be billed to you. Instead, you will need to pay for them out of pocket, so be sure to budget accordingly. Keep in mind that these amounts are estimates and will change depending on your personal pending habits.

Food/Board - $200 per month Personal Expenses $100.00 per month Books and Supplies - $300.00

IMPORTANT CONTACTS

Studying abroad is an exciting adventure, and AUC is here to help with any questions that you may have. You are invited to join our Facebook page so that you can connect to fellow students and stay informed of important information. The following is a list of important contact information for offices that can help to make sure that you have all the information that you need for a successful transition to AUC and Egypt.

For questions about admissions, billing, financial aid, or payments, please contact the New York Office. For questions about academic advising and the registration process for study abroad students, please contact the International Programs Office.

For questions about the Arabic Language Institute, please contact the Arabic Language Institute.

For questions about housing, please contact Residential Life.

For questions about medical issues or prescriptions, please contact Dr. Mohamed Amin. For questions about the medical insurance exemption or the medical insurance policy, please contact Mrs. Sarah Saher. For questions about the international student orientation, life in Cairo, or non-academic questions, please contact International Student Affairs.

Study Abroad in Egypt Packing List

The Essentials! airline tickets passport travelers checks credit card Health Insurance Card Student ID (required for many entrance fees)

drivers license certified copy of your birth certificate copies of documents (passport, etc.) money belt/pouch guidebook/map itinerary

Pack for a week; stay for a year! (Please take some time to read about what is considered culturally appropriate in Cairo before you pack) 1 pair dress shoes 1 pair comfortable sneakers 1 pair sandals 5 dress shirts/5 casual shirts (things that layer are best) 1 nice outfit for special events

2 pair of dress pants/skirts 2 pair of casual pants/jeans Pajamas 10 pairs of socks and underwear Workout clothing 1 bathing suit 1 warm coat/jacket (really! It does get cold here) 1 sweater

Toiletries (Most toiletries can be purchased in Egypt, so pack only the name brand items that you think will be hard to get abroad. A good trick is to bring small amounts of toiletries and then buy more at pharmacies once you are in Egypt) Comb/brush Toothbrush/toothpaste Lotion Deodorant Glasses/contact lenses (with contact solution and carry case)

Prescription drugs for the duration of your time abroad (in your carry-on) comb/brush deodorant shampoo/conditioner soap toothbrush razor feminine hygiene product travel towel

Other Stuff watch alarm clock (battery operated) bag for trip home/shopping abroad school backpack/bag camera/film laptop MP3 player/iPod adapter plugs/converter hand towel medications sun screen sun glasses journal flashlight water bottle bug spray

extra batteries language dictionary personal sewing kit special school supplies photocopy of your passport information pages (also leave a copy at home) Phone numbers for your bank and to cancel credit cards Addresses and photos of family and friends Pepto Bismol and/or Imodium pocket dictionary/phrase book pocket-sized notebook/journal internal frame backpack (if you think you will make several trips around Egypt or the Middle East region you may want to consider buying one of these for ease of travel).

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION RECORD - FOR SERVICE, STUDY OR RESIDENCE IN EGYPT

PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE For Student to complete: NAME: _______________________________ AUC PROGRAM: ____________ ENROLLMENT DATE: ______________________ ADDRESS: _________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________ EMAIL: ____________________________ BIRTH DATE: _______________ AUC STUDENT ID#: __________________________

For Healthcare Provider to complete: DATE OF EXAMINATION:__________________ LENGTH OF TIME PATIENT KNOWN TO YOU: _______________ HISTORY: List all serious diseases, alcohol or drug dependency, injuries, or operations, giving dates, duration, and results: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PHYSICAL: General Appearance: _ Height: _________________________________________ Deformities: ____________________________________________________________________ Weight: ____________________

EYES: Vision, without glasses, Rt. 20/ Lt. 20/ ______________________________ with glasses, Rt. 20/ _____________________ Lt. 20/ ____________________ Disease _________________________

EARS: Hearing (whispered voice normally heard at 20 ft.): Right _____________________ /20 Left _____________________ /20 Disease ___________________________________________________________________________________________

TEETH: _________________________________________________________________________________________________ GLANDS: Thyroid or other glandular disease, describe: _____________________________________________________________ Tonsils: diseased _________________________________________________________________________________

CIRCULATORY: Heart: size _________________________________________________________________________________ Murmurs (organic or functional) ________________________________________________________________________

Disease ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Arteries: ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Pulse Rate: (standing) ______________________ After exercise ____________________ After 2 minutes ______________

Blood Pressure: Syst. ____________________________________ Diast. _______________________________________

RESPIRATORY: Lungs: Resonance ____________________________ Rales ________________________________________ Candidates under 45: Tuberculin test, P.P.D. first strength, or Tine test: ______________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________ . If positive, chest X-ray required.

Candidates 45 and older: Chest X-ray required. Describe in detail other signs of disease as shown by X-ray (single

anterior-posterior plate): __________________________________________________________________________________

ALIMENTARY: Describe all abnormalities: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

NERVOUS: Describe all organic or functional abnormalities including pertinent personal and family history of psychological disturbance or mental disease: __________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

REFLEXES: Patellar _______________________________________________________________________________________ Romberg ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Argyl-Robertson ________________________________________________________________________________________

(Over)

Over

GENITO-URINARY: Urinalysis: Albumin_______________________Sugar __________________________________________ Specific Gravity______________________________________________Varicocele or hydrocele ____________________________

Venereal or other disease: _________________________________________________________________________________

VDRL Test _____________________________HIV antibodies Test ______________________________________________

(FOR FEMALES): Does the subject suffer from incapacitating menstrual disorder? If yes, how much time

is lost from work each month: _________________________________________________________________________________

GENERAL: Hernia (state type) ______________________________________________________________________________ Hemorrhoids (degree) ___________________________________________________________________________

Skin: Tumors, scars, disease ______________________________________________________________________

Varicose Veins (size and extent) ___________________________________________________________________

Flat feet (degree) _______________________________________________________________________________

Bones and Joints _______________________________________________________________________________

Indication of Goiter, Asthma, Hay Fever, Tuberculosis, Rheumatism, Ulcers, or Other: _________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

HIV TEST ____________________________________________________________________________________________ HAS EXAMINEE RECEIVED IMMUNIZATIONS OR EVER HAD THE FOLLOWING: Hepatitis A__________________________DATE_____________ Hepatitis B: ______________________DATE______________

Measles/Mumps/Rubella: ______________DATE_____________ Polio: ____________________________DATE_____________

Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis: ________________DATE__________ Varicella (Chickenpox): ___________DATE_____________

Typhoid: ________________________DATE___________________ Meningococcus: _________________DATE______________

Yellow Fever: ______________________DATE________________

Other:______________________________________________________________________________________________________

MEDICATIONS EXAMINEE IS CURRENTLY TAKING: ___________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ PLEASE ATTACH COPIES OF LAB TEST REPORTS. SUMMARY: Rate examinee (mark X) Physically: Excellent Good Fair Poor Nervously: Excellent Good Fair Poor Do you believe the candidate is in fit physical condition to live and work or study in a foreign country

such as Egypt?

Remarks: ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DATE: ____________________________ SIGNATURE: _________________________________________________ , M.D. PHYSICIANS NAME ANDADDRESS:_________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ E-mail address: _________________________________________ Fax number: (______) (_______)_________________________ (Country /City code)

Please do not return this form to candidate, but mail directly to: The American University in Cairo Office of Student Affairs Att: Dr. Mohamed Amin Hassan Saad 420 5th Avenue 3rd Floor New York, NY 10018

Spring 2011 Pre-Departure InformationStudy Abroad in Egypt packing list-1 (3)Physical examination form (2)For Student to complete:EMAIL: ____________________________ BIRTH DATE: _______________ AUC STUDENT ID#: __________________________For Healthcare Provider to complete:DATE OF EXAMINATION:__________________ LENGTH OF TIME PATIENT KNOWN TO YOU: _______________HIV TEST