AUS welcomes new students with exciting orientation program for Spring 2023

As new undergraduate students are about to begin an exciting chapter in their lives this spring semester at American University of Sharjah (AUS), the university has prepared a rich orientation program to smooth their transition into campus life and help them navigate the change and growth they will experience on this new adventure.

Held from January 15 to 22, the orientation program offers new students the opportunity to explore the campus and its facilities, attend information sessions, register for classes, connect with their peer leaders, meet other first-year students and enjoy a line-up of events hosted by AUS Student Council. New students will also have access to the One Stop AUS Solution Center, which offers a wide array of university administrative services in one location and the chance to meet with representatives from the university offices that manage transportation, student accounts, residential halls, and financial grants and scholarships.

“We have carefully designed the orientation program to help students learn everything they need to know about university policies; access to university services; extracurricular activities, athletic opportunities and student life; and even career services and prospects available for young entrepreneurs. We want new students to navigate their first year with ease and have the tools they need,” said Ali Shuhaimy, Executive Director of Enrollment Management at AUS.  

New students benefit from a variety of support programs designed to develop their study and self-care skills, guide them to navigate university life academically and socially, and pursue their interests outside the classroom. Some of these support services include the AUS First Year Experience (FYE) Program, which offers workshops and other resources to help students learn how to balance their academic responsibilities and social life, and how to make meaningful connections with the university community. In addition, the AUS Academic Support Center assists students with refining their study skills and improving their academic performance through its range of opportunities and resources. A major part of orientation is the AUS Peer Leaders Program, where each new student is paired with a peer leader to assist them throughout orientation week and beyond as they discover all the resources, activities and organizations available on campus.

“We believe in nurturing a vibrant and dynamic campus life that goes beyond the classroom. This is one of the core aspects of the AUS student experience. During orientation week, we made sure that new students get all the support they need by working closely with the AUS peer leaders, who will help them explore campus life and the many student organizations and clubs. The AUS student body comes from approximately 90 nationalities, making the celebration of cultural diversity, tolerance and respect at the core of what we do,” said Dr. Lisa Bardill Moscaritolo, Executive Director of Student Experience at AUS.

AUS is also organizing a special on-campus orientation day for its new graduate students on January 18, where they will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from their colleges, connect with classmates, and learn about the various support services available to them. 

Students joining AUS this semester will be part of the university’s celebration of its 25 years of academic excellence, innovative research and community impact. To mark its Silver Jubilee, the university will present a series of festive, reflective and scholarly activities that celebrate faculty, staff, students, alumni, and AUS business and community partners.

For more information on AUS orientation week for new undergraduate students, visit www.aus.edu/admissions/orientation and for new graduate students, visit www.aus.edu/admissions/orientation/graduate.