The American University in Cairo is a private university which has served a unique and important function in Cairo since its founding in 1919. The language of instruction is English, and the curriculum emphasizes the liberal arts. 90% of AUC's students are Egyptian; the rest come from elsewhere in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and North America.

The Award

Estabilished in 1981, the Presidential Scholars Program fellowship provides selected individuals with the opportunity to study Arabic while working at an international university, and experiencing life in Cairo - the bustling, vibrant center of Middle Eastern culture. The term of employment is for one academic year. Positions have been available in the following university offices: President, Provost, Communication and Marketing, Law Department, Performing and Visual Arts Department, Social Research Center, Gerhart Center for Philanthropy and Civic Engagement, Vice President for Finance, Vice President for Planning and Administration and the Desert Development Center. Please see details of current availabilities on the AUC website.

All scholars are provided with the following:

Stipend of approximately $350 per month, paid over ten months.
Approximately $350 toward airfare, although students will be responsible for their own travel arrangements between their hometown and Cairo
Basic medical examination care through the AUC clinic
Housing in AUC faculty apartments in the Zamalek Dormitory
15 vacation/sick days in addition to 15 days of official university holiday time
Monthly excursions to explore Cairo and other parts of Egypt
Arabic language courses tailored to suit the needs of the student
Transportation between Zamalek and the AUC New Cairo campus

Eligibility

In order to apply for the AUC program, you must be a U.S. citizen and a graduating senior (co-terminal students are eligible) at Stanford University at the time of application.

Candidates from a variety of educational backgrounds are invited to apply.

The program is intended to expose Americans to Egypt and the Greater Middle East, thus candidates who have not spent considerable time in Egypt or have studied at AUC before are given extra consideration.

The Application

An application consists of the following:

A completed Application Form (available online)
A letter addressed to Lisa Anderson, the President of AUC, specifying three positions in which the applicant is interested, ranked in order of preference (uploaded to application online)
A personal statement, not to exceed two double-spaced pages in 12-point font, presenting the applicant's interest in the Presidential Scholars Program and describing any special skills, talents, or experiences that would help the candidate contribute to the positions and the AUC community, It should also discuss any special interest or experience the candidate has in Egypt and the Middle East (uploaded to application online)
An updated résumé including a preferred email address (uploaded to application online)
Two letters of recommendation from faculty members, administrators, or work supervisors, in hard copy form sent to the New York office, postmarked by January 31, 2012

Selection Process and Notification

AUC will notify short-listed candidates in early March to schedule a Skype interview. Final selections are made by the appropriate administrator in Cairo in consultation with the AUC President's Office. As a rule of thumb, screening panels look at the student's previous academic work, extracurricular activities, and the quality of their essay and references. Final notification will be given by April 1.

Although there is no Stanford campus process for this award, interested students should contact the ORC for a copy of the application and for guidance on the application process as well as review the AUC website for details.

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