Guidelines for International Students

 

Program Overview

American University (AU) in Washington, D.C., has created a bold new program to welcome the best students from around the world to study for a year or a semester in the capital of the United States. Abroad at AU will create a truly global campus where hundreds of students from diverse cultures and societies will interact with American students in the U.S. capital, learning from each other and enriching each others’ experiences.

AU has a well-deserved reputation as a global university, with over 1,000 international students from 140 countries, many award-winning faculty members engaged in international scholarship and research, and a curriculum notable for its wide array of courses with international themes. Many of the university’s academic programs are rated among the best in the United States. A distinctive feature of many programs is their close integration with Washington-based organizations and decision-makers, both governmental and nongovernmental. The university is committed to public service, diversity, and experiential and interdisciplinary learning. AU is located on an 84-acre campus in northwest Washington, at the top of “Embassy Row” and close to downtown. The campus is in a beautiful residential neighborhood with many homes of diplomats and is in one of the safest areas in Washington, D.C. It has 14 classroom buildings, a library with over 780,000 titles and ties to other area university libraries, a 50,000-watt broadcast center, a state-of-the-art language resource center, science and computer science laboratories, and buildings for art and the performing arts. AU is known for its advanced information technology resources, including its wireless capacity for all students.

Abroad at AU will provide a stimulating and memorable experience for international students who are unable to spend a full four years at a U.S. university but strongly desire to study abroad

 

Student Life

The International Student Services office is staffed with 8 full-time employees who are dedicated to meeting the special needs of international students. In addition to providing visa and immigration support, the office organizes orientation sessions for international students and offers individual counseling. Please visit the ISS website at http://www.american.edu/ocl/iss/index1.html for more information.

The Academic Support Center (ASC) has a dedicated counselor for international students, who can assist individuals in gaining the tools necessary for academic success in the United States. ASC services available to international students include individual instruction and writing support.  To learn more, visit http://abroadatau.american.edu/student.html

 

Academics

International students participating in Abroad at AU can take courses from the university’s extensive course offerings in 53 subject areas for undergraduate students.  The centerpiece of the program, however, is two innovative courses designed especially for Abroad at AU:

 What Is America? is taught by the most outstanding lecturers on the AU campus. This course delves beneath the stereotypes to come to a deeper understanding of American culture, economy, history, politics, and society in all their diversity and complexity. You take this course together with American students, providing many opportunities to help both understand each other while jointly discovering America.

 How Washington Works is taught by AU’s distinguished experts on American politics, focusing on how the key political actors in Washington—including the President, Congress, Supreme Court, interest groups, the press, embassies, and international organizations — conduct their business. To supplement your classroom experience, you may have the opportunity to participate in internships within the agencies and organizations that will be studied in the course.

As a participant in Abroad at AU, you are required to take one of the two new courses listed above. You may take both is you so desire. These are 3-credit courses and will be supplemented by courses from the rest of the AU catalog so that you can take 12 credit hours per semester, thus qualifying you as a full-time student. For a complete list of AU courses, view the online catalogue at http://www.american.edu/american/registrar/schedule.html and for more information visit the registrar's website at http://www.american.edu/american/registrar/.

 

Internships

Students will also have the unique opportunity to participate in internships at businesses, NGOs, government agencies and multilateral institutions in the Washington DC area. Supported by American’s award winning career center, over 80% of all undergraduate students participate in an internship before they graduate. Students will receive a transcript and a certificate from AU for their work in the program. However, transferability of credits for course work will be determined by the students’ home institutions.

 

Admissions

The program aims to attract outstanding students from throughout the world. Abroad at AU students will need to satisfy the following admission requirements:

 1. English Language Requirements

AU generally requires all students whose first language is not English, regardless of citizenship, to take one of the following exams and achieve the indicated scores to demonstrate English-language proficiency:

·        TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) - score 550 or higher on the paper-based test or 213 or higher on the computer-based test

·        SAT I: Reasoning Test (Verbal) - score 530 or higher

·        SAT II: Subject Test-English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) - score 970 or higher (This test will no longer be available after January 2005.)

·        International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - score 6.5 or higher

·        Transfer applicants who have completed two academic English writing courses from a U.S. college or university with a grade of "C" or better from regionally accredited, AG rated institutions or a "B" or better from provisionally accredited, AP rated institutions, are exempt from submitting scores from these examinations.

2. F-1 "student" visa OR J-1 "exchange visitor"

Most international students attend AU on an F-1 or J-1 visa. If you already have an F-1 visa, please go to the International Student Services web site at http://www.american.edu/ocl/iss/index1.html for detailed instructions. A new visa can be acquired only at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Each U.S. Embassy has different visa application procedures. For example, the embassies in Canada and Mexico require appointments. For additional information or to make an appointment, if required, contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply for your visa.

Essential documents for your visa application:

·        Signed and valid I-20 or DS-2019

·        Valid passport

·        Financial documents showing ability to pay for at least one full academic year, dated within six months

·        Official admission letter

·        Application and application fee (provided at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate)

·        Supporting documents to provide evidence of intent to return to your home country, such as family ties, property, or a job in your country

 

Application Instructions

Students may apply online at www.abroadatau.american.edu. Students must send the additional application materials (official transcripts, letter of recommendation, and test scores) to Abroad at AU via fax +1-202-885-1370 or by mail:

 Abroad at AU

4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20016-8039

 Please note that all materials must be received by the Abroad at AU office by the application deadline.

 

Application Deadlines - Study Term

March 15, 2005              Fall 2005 Semester ( August 29, 2005 - December 23, 2005)
                                      Full 2005-2006 Academic Year ( August 29, 2005 - May 5, 2006)

 

Costs and Scholarships

Students attending under exchange agreements with AU will pay tuition to their home institutions. Non-exchange students will pay AU tuition directly.

 For your convenience, we have attached the International Student Cost Guide (page 5)

that gives details on semester costs for the academic year.

 Some scholarships will be available to help non-exchange students meet the costs of attending AU.  For more information on scholarships, please visit the Fellowships and Grants page of the International Affairs website at http://www.american.edu/ia/fellowships.html.

  

  

Abroad At AU

4400 Massachusetts Ave, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20026-8039

Phone: 1-202-885-1320

Fax: 1-202-885-1370

AbroadAtAu.american.edu

Now inviting the world to study in the capital of the United States

 

International Student Cost Guide[1]

Spring Semester (January 2005 – May 2005)

Semester Costs for Academic Year 2004-2005

(Estimated Costs Based on One Semester)

 

All students must pay:

Tuition (based on one semester)                                                                   $5,000.00

Mandatory Student Fees [2]                                                                              $55.00

 

Campus Housing Costs:

Rent/housing (based on double occupancy)                                                   $3,295.00

Residence Hall Fee                                                                                        $14.00

Meal Plan (Subject to Change)[3]                                                                     $1,790.00

 Estimated Living Expenses:

Books                                                                                                             $250.00

Health Insurance (AU Plan)[4]                                                                          $950.00

Personal (telephone, dining, clothing, laundry,

                entertainment, copy services)                                                        $900.00

             Total Estimated Cost                                                             $12,254.00 USD

 

Important Additional Costs - Students must be able to meet the following costs as they apply to their particular situation:

§         Travel expenses between home country and Washington and during vacation periods

§         Large purchases (such as computers, furniture, etc.)

§         Medical expenses not covered by health insurance (eye care, dental care, medical problems developed before arriving at the university)

§         Food and housing during school holidays (refer to the University Housing and Dining Services website at http://www.american.edu/ocl/housing/index1.html)

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[1] Academic year 2004-2005 (please note: costs for academic year 2005-2006 have not yet been set.  Anticipate an increase of 5-6% for all non tuition related expenses).

[2] Lab fees may be subject to change.

[3] Cost shown is based on the 150-Block Meal Plan.  Meal Plans are required for those students who choose to live on-campus.  On-Campus residents will be automatically enrolled in the 150-Block Plan.  Students may change their meal plan upon arriving on campus.

[4] American University requires all full-time students to have health insurance (except those on A, G, and H visas, although it is still highly recommended). If you are in F-1 or J-1 status, you must also have health insurance for your accompanying F-2 or J-2 dependents. You should carry valid proof of insurance at all times during your stay in the United States. Unless you complete a health insurance waiver form, you will be billed automatically for the American University insurance plan, which provides low-cost and comprehensive coverage. Other plans are also available to international students.

  

Abroad At AU – American University

4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW   ▪   Washington, DC 20016-8039, USA   ▪   202-885-1320   ▪   AbroadAtAU.american.edu