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

Established in 1981, the Presidential Internship Program provides recent university graduates the opportunity to work at the highest levels of an international university, to learn Arabic and to experience life in Cairo - the bustling, vibrant center of Middle Eastern culture. For one academic year, selected individual interns work in one of seven offices at AUC that are aligned with their academic and professional interests.

Positions are available in the following offices this year 2016-2017:
Office of the President
Office of the Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance
Office of Institutional Advancement
Office of Sustainability
Office of the Provost
Office of Communications
Research Institute for a Sustainable Environment (RISE) (formerly known as the Desert Development Center)

In previous years, positions also were available in these offices: Communication and Marketing, Law Department, Performing and Visual Arts Department, Social Research Center, Gerhart Center for Philanthropy and Civic Engagement, Vice President for Planning and Administration.

AUC Presidential Interns are provided with the following:

Stipends are paid over ten months. (Interns will be responsible for their own travel arrangements between their hometown and Cairo, but will be provided a Settling-in allowance upon arrival in Cairo.)
Arabic Language Study – classes / tutorials tailored to suit the needs of the student
Housing in AUC faculty apartments
Basic medical examination care through the AUC clinic
15 vacation/sick days in addition to 15 days of official university holiday time
Travel Opportunities - monthly excursions to explore Cairo and other parts of Egypt
Monthly Educational Lecture Seminar Series - opportunity to initiate special seminars with prominent individuals from business, government and society, and AUC professors
Transportation form Cairo International Airport to their apartments. Interns ride AUC buses for free.

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 or Permanent Resident, 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 Application

An application consists of the following:

A letter addressed to Lisa Anderson, the President of AUC, specifying two positions in which the applicant is interested, ranked in order of preference. An explanation of the applicant’s interest in the position and related qualifications should be included for each office. (500 word limit)
A personal statement, ( 500 word limit), explaining the applicant's interest in the Presidential Internship Program and describing any special skills, talents, or experiences that qualify the candidate for the internship position and that enable the candidate to contribute to the AUC community as a whole. The applicant should also discuss his or her special interest and/or prior experience in Egypt and the Middle East, if applicable.
An updated résumé.
Two letters of recommendation from faculty members, administrators, or work supervisors submitted directly by endorsers to interns@aucegypt.edu or in hard copy and postmarked by Friday, January 22, 2016.

Selection Process and Notification

AUC will notify short-listed candidates by email to schedule a Skype interview in mid to late February.

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 mid-March.

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.

Top of page