International Students Exit Survey- Fall 2017€¦ · results of the survey will be used to help ISL improve international students’ overall experience ... Study Abroad, Fall 2017

Prepared by: Office of Data Analytics and Institutional Research (DAIR)

International Students Exit Survey- Fall 2017


Office of Data Analytics and Institutional Research (DAIR) 1

Table of Contents

Executive Summary 3

Introduction 3

International Students by Gender 4

International Students by Career Level 5

International Students by Nationality 6

International Students by Major 8

Q1: Please indicate the type of study program you are enrolled in at AUC 10

Q2: What were your housing arrangements while at AUC? 11

Q3: How did you hear about AUC? Please check all that apply. 12

Q4: Why did you want to study at AUC? Please check all that apply. 14

Q5: When making your decision to study in the Middle East, which of the following universities did you consider? Please check all that apply.

16

Q6: What were your concerns prior to arriving at AUC? Please check all that apply. 17

Q7- What additional information would have been useful to have before you arrived in Cairo?

18

Q8: Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements related to your transition to the university.

19

Q9: If you paid your fees and/or applied for federal financial aid through AUC's New York office, please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements

22

Q10: If you are a study abroad student, please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements related to your course advising and registration.

24

Q11: Please indicate your overall level of satisfaction with the following regarding the admission process.

26

Q12: Please rate the overall quality of academic instruction at AUC. 28

Q13: Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements related to academic instruction at AUC.

29

Q14- What area of research are you interested in? 31

Q15- If you studied Arabic at AUC, please rate the following aspects of language instruction

33

Q16- Please indicate your overall level of satisfaction with the following services. 35



Table of Contents (cont.)

Q17- Did you participate in any of the following extracurricular activities? 37

Q18- Did you encounter any difficulty in joining student activities or groups? 39

Q19- Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements: 41

Q20- Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements 43

Q21- Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements 44

Q22- Overall, how satisfied are you with the opportunities you were provided with to experience Egyptian culture and society?

46

Q23- Please rate the following statement. 47

Q24- Do you have any advice to give to future students from your country/region? Please specify.

48



Executive Summary

Introduction

The AUC administration is rigorously pursuing means to achieve one of its main strategic

objectives, which is 'Internationalizing the campus through diversity and global exposure'. This

survey will help administration assess AUC as Egypt's Global University by assessing opinions of

international students regarding various aspects of their experience at AUC. Furthermore, the

results of the survey will be used to help ISL improve international students’ overall experience

at AUC.

This survey was developed by the Office of International Student Life (ISL), in collaboration with

the Office of Data Analytics and Institutional Research (DAIR).

Methodology and Organization of the Report

The Office of Data Analytics and Institutional Research (DAIR) emailed 340 survey invitations to

international students on Dec 19th, 2017, followed by one reminder sent on Dec 21st, 2017

and closed on Dec 29th, 2017. From the total number of international students, 78 responded

to the survey for a response rate of 23%.

This report consists of two parts:

• Close-ended Questions This includes all close-ended questions regarding ratings, rankings and

feedback presented as frequencies and charts.

• Open-ended Questions This includes lists of all answers for the questions requesting

suggestions and/or recommendations organized by themes.



Demographics

International Students by Gender

Answer Choices Percentage Count

Male 53% 41 Female 47% 37

Total 78

53%

47%

40%

45%

50%

55%

Male Female



International Students by Career Level:

Answer Choices Percentage Count Graduate 45% 35

Undergraduate 28% 22 Special 27% 21

Total 78

45%

28% 27%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

Graduate Undergraduate Special



International Students by Nationality:


USA 22% 17

Germany 8% 6

Libya 8% 6

Syria 6% 5

Yemen 5% 4

Nigeria 4% 3

Palestine 4% 3

Sudan 4% 3

Algeria 3% 2

Bahrain 3% 2

Ghana 3% 2

Norway 3% 2

Portugal 3% 2

Turkey 3% 2

Uganda 3% 2

United Kingdom 3% 2

Australia 1% 1

Brazil 1% 1

Canada 1% 1

Eritrea 1% 1

Gambia 1% 1

Japan 1% 1

Jordan 1% 1

Korea 1% 1



Lebanon 1% 1

Madagascar (Malagasy) 1% 1

Netherlands 1% 1

Peo.'s Rep. Of China 1% 1

Saudi Arabia 1% 1

South Africa 1% 1

Switzerland 1% 1 Total 78

22%

8% 8%6%

5%4% 4% 4%

3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%



International Students by Major:


No Degree 23% 18

Undeclared 10% 8

Migration and Refugee Studies 8% 6

Political Science 8% 6

Sustainable Development 4% 3

Arabic Studies 3% 2

Biotechnology 3% 2

Construction Engineering 3% 2

Egyptology & Coptology 3% 2

Intensive Arabic Language 3% 2

MA in Public Administration 3% 2

Master of Business Admin. 3% 2

Accounting 1% 1

Business Administration 1% 1

Chemistry 1% 1

Communication and Media Arts 1% 1

Computer Engineering 1% 1

Computer Science 1% 1

Counseling Psychology 1% 1

Econ in International Develop. 1% 1

Electronics & Communications Eng. 1% 1

Gender and Women's Stud. in ME 1% 1

Integrated Marketing Comm. 1% 1

International Human Rights Law 1% 1

Master of Global Affairs 1% 1




Mechanical Engineering 1% 1

Middle East Studies 1% 1

ND-Advanced Intensive Arabic 1% 1

Performance 1% 1

Physics 1% 1

Robotics, Control & Smart System 1% 1

Sociology 1% 1

TESOL 1% 1

TV. & Digital Journalism 1% 1

Visual Arts 1% 1

Total 78

23%

10%8% 8%

4%3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%



Q1: Please indicate the type of study program you are enrolled in at AUC.

Answer Choices Responses Count Graduate Degree program: MS/MA 45% 35

Undergraduate Degree program: BS/BA 27% 21

Study Abroad, Fall 2017 19% 15 Arabic Language Instruction Program (ALI) 4% 3

Graduate Diploma 0% 0 Study Abroad, full year ending Spring 2018 0% 0

Others 5% 4 Answered 78

Skipped 0

45%

27%

19%

4% 5%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

Graduate Degreeprogram: MS/MA

UndergraduateDegree program:

BS/BA

Study Abroad, Fall2017

Arabic LanguageInstruction Program

(ALI)

Others



Q2: What were your housing arrangements while at AUC?

Answer Choices Responses Count Rented apartment or house 58% 45

Student housing on campus 27% 21

Lived with relatives 5% 4 Others 10% 8

Answered 78 Skipped 0

58%

27%

5%10%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Rented apartment orhouse

Student housing oncampus

Lived with relatives Others



Q3: How did you hear about AUC? Please check all that apply.

Answer Choices Responses Count

Family or friends 39% 27

Online resources 29% 20 AUC website 21% 15

Study abroad office at home university 17% 12 Articles in the media (print, broadcast or online)

7% 5

Academic advisor at home university 6% 4

Faculty instructor at home university 6% 4

Study abroad fairs 4% 3 AUC recruiter 4% 3


Skipped 8

Other (please specify) Responses

1 specific master's program

2 Joint CMEPS program

3 Nelly Hanna at AUB 4 AIESEC

5 I work at AUC (faculty member) 6 AUCians that studied abroad at my home university

7 AUC alumni

8 I worked in Egypt for 2 years prior to attending AUC 9 AUC student studied abroad at my home university

10 Scholarship

11 I used to work there and my wife is currently a faculty member there.

12 Received an email via Cairo Scholars

13 Former Study Abroad Alumna



39%

29%

21%

17%

7% 6% 6% 4% 4%

19%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

Family orfriends

Onlineresources

AUCwebsite

Studyabroadoffice at

homeuniversity

Articles inthe media

(print,broadcastor online)

Academicadvisor at

homeuniversity

Facultyinstructorat home

university

Studyabroad

fairs

AUCrecruiter

Others



Q4: Why did you want to study at AUC? Please check all that apply.


Interest in the region 60% 42

Studying a particular academic subject 44% 31 Personal enrichment 40% 28

Studying Arabic 33% 23 Value for future employment 33% 23

Your family moved to Egypt 20% 14

Problems/conflicts in your home country 9% 6

Government Sponsored 6% 4

Inability to enroll at a university in your home country

3% 2

Visa limitations 1% 1 Others 4% 3


Other (please specify) Responses

1 Because this is the only institution that offers the CASA program. I've also preciously studied abroad at AUC

2 staff employment benefit

3 AUC is the only university in the ME that offers a refugee and migration program. Nice job!



60%

44%40%

33% 33%

20%

9% 6% 3% 1% 4%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Inte

rest

in t

he

reg

ion

Stu

dyi

ng

a p

arti

cula

rac

adem

ic s

ub

ject

Pe

rso

nal

en

rich

men

t

Stu

dyi

ng

Ara

bic

Val

ue

fo

r fu

ture

emp

loym

en

t

You

r fa

mily

mo

ved

to

Egyp

t

Pro

ble

ms/

con

flic

ts in

you

r h

om

e co

un

try

Go

vern

me

nt

Spo

nso

red

Inab

ility

to

en

roll

at a

un

ive

rsit

y in

yo

ur

ho

me

cou

ntr

y

Vis

a lim

itat

ion

s

Oth

ers



Q5: When making your decision to study in the Middle East, which of the following universities did you consider? Please check all that apply.

Answer Choices Responses Count AUC only 59% 41

The American University of Beirut 32% 22

The American University in Dubai 12% 8 The Lebanese American University 12% 8

The American University in Sharjah 7% 5 The American University in Kuwait 3% 2

Others 10% 7


59%

32%

12% 12%7%

3%

10%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

AUC only The AmericanUniversity of

Beirut

The AmericanUniversity in

Dubai

The LebaneseAmericanUniversity


Sharjah


Kuwait

Others



Q6: What were your concerns prior to arriving at AUC? Please check all that apply.


Finances 41% 28

Language 40% 27 Culture shock 37% 25

Availability of courses 35% 24 Personal safety 31% 21

Housing 26% 18

Harassment 22% 15

Transfer credit approval 3% 2


Skipped 10

41%40%

37%35%

31%

26%

22%

3%

12%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

Finances Language Cultureshock

Availabilityof courses

Personalsafety

Housing Harassment Transfercredit

approval

Others



Q7- What additional information would have been useful to have before you arrived in Cairo?

Answered 28

Skipped 50

Responses

Theme Frequency

Visa Process and information 2

Campus proximity to downtown and how to commute information

2

Info about the City and cultural restrictions 2

Comprehensive Itinerary 2

Contact Information and testimonials from current international students in the same program and on campus

3

Housing Information 2

Better communication from AUC staff (Application procedures, admission and registration, exact papers needed,

4

Work availability on/off campus 1

The information on website are comprehensive 1

I work at AUC 1

N/A 1

Program acceptance took too much time 1

It was a unique entire process 1

Information about English placement test 1

Who specifically to talk to in the university beaurcacy for different kind of concerns

1



Q8: Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements related to your transition to the university.

Strongly Agree

Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree

Total

Weighted average

I obtained my student ID in a timely manner.

38% 23

40%

24

10%

6 5% 3 3% 2 3% 2

International Student Life (ISL) staff members were courteous in responding to my concerns throughout the semester/year.

41%

24 31%

18

14%

8 2% 1 0% 0 14%

8

AUC's website provided me with accurate and thorough information about AUC's academic programs.

24%

14 34%

20

24%

14 8% 5 8% 5 2% 1

The International Student Orientation provided me with useful information that eased my transition.

17%

10 44%

26

24%

14 5% 3 3% 2 7% 4

The International Peer Leaders (IPLs) were courteous and helpful.

35%

21 30%

18

12%

7 2% 1 3% 2 18%

11

AUC's webpages for international students were user-friendly and helpful in preparing for my study at AUC.

17%

10 37%

22

17%

10 17%

10

8% 5 3% 2

On-campus course registration was organized and efficient.

22%

13 32%

19

12%

7 17%

10

13%

8 5% 3



Strongly Agree


Total

Weighted average

Pre-arrival communication provided necessary and useful information.

10%

6 27%

16

25%

15 18%

11

10%

6 10%

6

The graduate student orientation session provided me with useful information.

19%

11 27%

16

20%

12 5% 3 2% 1 27%

16

Student financial accounting staff members were helpful and courteous.

12%

7 33%

20

15%

9 10%

6 3% 2 27%

16

Student financial affairs (financial aid) staff members provided me with courteous and effective assistance.

12%

7 37%

22

13%

8 5% 3 5% 3 28%

17

Cultural lectures and gender sessions provided me with important information that helped me as a new student.

15%

9 19%

11

27%

16 2% 1 3% 2 34%

20

Student financial accounting staff members processed my loan payments and other financial transactions in a prompt and effective manner.

13%

8 20%

12

13%

8 13%

8 7% 4 33%

20



Strongly Agree


Total

Weighted average

I obtained my bus pass in a timely manner.

12%

7 27%

16

12%

7 3% 2 2% 1 45%

27

Answered 60

Skipped 18

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

I obtained my student ID in a timely manner.

International Student Life (ISL) staff members were…

AUC's website provided me with accurate and…

The International Student Orientation provided me…

The International Peer Leaders (IPLs) were courteous…

AUC's webpages for international students were user-…

On-campus course registration was organized and…

Pre-arrival communication provided necessary and…

The graduate student orientation session provided me…

Student financial accounting staff members were…

Student financial affairs (financial aid) staff members…

Cultural lectures and gender sessions provided me with…

Student financial accounting staff members processed…

I obtained my bus pass in a timely manner.

Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree Not Applicable



Q9: If you paid your fees and/or applied for federal financial aid through AUC's New York office, please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements:

Strongly Agree


Total Weighted average

The New York office staff were courteous and helpful.

7% 3 11%

5 0% 0 0% 0 7% 3 75%

33

The New York office staff provided prompt and accurate responses to my inquiries

9% 4 9% 4 0% 0 0% 0 7% 3 75%

33

The New York office staff provided helpful and accurate answers to my questions concerning financial matters.

7% 3 9% 4 0% 0 2% 1 5% 2 77%

34

Billing and processing of payments by New York office staff members was prompt and effective

7% 3 12%

5 0% 0 2% 1 5% 2 74%

32

Answered 44

Skipped 34



7% 9% 7% 7%11% 9% 9% 12%

0% 0% 0% 0%0% 0% 2% 2%7% 7% 5% 5%

75% 75% 77%74%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

The New York office staffwere courteous and

helpful.

The New York office staffprovided prompt and

accurate responses to myinquiries.

The New York office staffprovided helpful and

accurate answers to myquestions concerning

financial matters.

Billing and processing ofpayments by New York

office staff members wasprompt and effective.




Q10: If you are a study abroad student, please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements related to your course advising and registration.

Strongly Agree

Agree Neutral Disagree

Strongly Disagree

Not Applicable

Total

Weighted average

The information on the academic advising webpage was clear, with easy to follow steps.

11% 5 18%

8 13%

6 13%

6 7%

3 38%

17

45 2

The online application for study-abroad was clear and easy to fill out.

12% 5 28%

12

14%

6 7%

3 5%

2 35%

15

43 2.3

Course advising via email correspondence was clear, timely and helpful.

12% 5 16%

7 19%

8 12%

5 7%

3 35%

15

43 2.09

I received syllabi for my courses (if requested) in time for my home university advisor to approve my courses.

12% 5 7%

3 9%

4 16%

7 9%

4 47%

20

43 1.56

The International Programs Office (IPO) helped me register for courses prior to arrival at AUC.

7% 3 9%

4 19%

8 12%

5 7%

3 47%

20

43 1.58

I was able to register for the classes I wanted.

27% 11

20%

8 12%

5 5%

2 7%

3 29%

12

41 2.66

Staff members in the International Programs Office (IPO) were courteous in responding to my academic concerns.

23%

10

12%

5 16%

7 5%

2 0%

0 44%

19

43 2.21

Communication and correspondence were consistent with what

14%

6 19%

8 21%

9 5%

2 7%

3 35%

15

43 2.23



Strongly Agree

Agree Neutral Disagree

Strongly Disagree

Not Applicable

Total

Weighted average

happened on campus after I arrived.

I understood clearly the cost of attending AUC and how it worked with my own institution.

16%

7 30%

13

9%

4 0%

0 5%

2 40%

17

43 2.35

Tuition payment was easy.

12%

5 14%

6 12%

5 5%

2 5%

2 53%

23

43 1.63

AUC accepted my cashier checks.

2%

1 14%

6 5%

2 5%

2 2%

1 71%

30

42 0.95

I received financial and/or federal aid.

9%

4 16%

7 2%

1 2%

1 5%

2 65%

28

43 1.28

Answered 45

Skipped 33

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

The information on the academic advising webpage…

The online application for study-abroad was clear and…

Course advising via email correspondence was clear,…

I received syllabi for my courses (if requested) in time…

The International Programs Office (IPO) helped me…

I was able to register for the classes I wanted.

Staff members in the International Programs Office…

Communication and correspondence were consistent…

I understood clearly the cost of attending AUC and how…

Tuition payment was easy.

AUC accepted my cashier checks.

I received financial and/or federal aid.




Q11: Please indicate your overall level of satisfaction with the following regarding the admission process.

Very Satisfied

Satisfied

Neutral Dissatisfied

Very Dissatisfied

N/A Total

Weighted Average

Response time and clarity of responses to your academic and non-academic inquiries before you applied.

12% 7 39%

23

19%

11

12%

7 12%

7 7% 4 59 3.07

Application process 15%

9 39%

23

19%

11

12%

7 12%

7 3% 2 59 3.24

Admission decision 33%

19

38%

22

9% 5 12%

7 5% 3 3% 2 58 3.71

Inquiries related to entry visa

12%

7 22%

13

22%

13

3% 2 10%

6 31%

18

59 2.31

Payment 15%

9 25%

15

32%

19

3% 2 5% 3 19%

11

59 2.86

Financial aid and scholarships

20%

12

19%

11

12%

7 3% 2 7% 4 39%

23

59 2.25

Advising 29%

17

24%

14

20%

12

12%

7 7% 4 8% 5 59 3.31

Registration 16%

9 33%

19

22%

13

17%

10

9% 5 3% 2 58 3.19

Answered 59

Skipped 19



0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

Response timeand clarity of

responses

Applicationprocess

Admissiondecision

Inquiriesrelated to entry

visa

Payment Financial aidand

scholarships

Advising Registration

Very Satisfied Satisfied Neutral Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied Not Applicable



Q12: Please rate the overall quality of academic instruction at AUC:

Very Good Good Fair Poor V. Poor N/A Total Weighted Average

Overall faculty quality

36% 21 41% 24 17% 10 5% 3 0% 0 2% 1 59 4.02

Overall Courses quality

25% 15 42% 25 24% 14 5% 3 0% 0 3% 2 59 3.78

Answered 60

Skipped 18

36%

41%

17%

5%

0%2%

25%

42%

24%

5%

0%

3%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

Very Good Good Fair Poor Very Poor Not Applicable

The overall quality of the faculty The overall quality of the courses



Q13: Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements related to academic instruction at AUC:

Strongly Agree


N/A Total

Weighted Average

Faculty members demonstrated thorough knowledge of course content.

42% 25 41%

24 8% 5 3% 2 0% 0 5% 3 59 4.07

Faculty members inspired student interest in the course material.

36%

21 44%

26 8% 5 8% 5 0% 0 3% 2 59 3.97

Faculty members were available for consultation outside of class.

31%

18 42%

25 15%

9 5% 3 2% 1 5% 3 59 3.8

Faculty members assisted me in my academic development.

33%

19 30%

17 23%

13

7% 4 0% 0 7% 4 57 3.68

Faculty members conducted fair and transparent assessment of my work.

29%

17 39%

23 19%

11

7% 4 3% 2 3% 2 59 3.73

Overall, course content was of appropriate academic rigor.

33%

19 31%

18 22%

13

9% 5 2% 1 3% 2 58 3.74

With the exception of Arabic language classes, all classes were taught exclusively in English.

37%

22 29%

17 15%

9 7% 4 3% 2 8% 5 59 3.64

Classroom facilities were adequate for the needs of the course.

41%

24 37%

22 8% 5 7% 4 3% 2 3% 2 59 3.95



Strongly Agree


N/A Total

Weighted Average

Library facilities were adequate for my needs.

51%

30 27%

16 8% 5 7% 4 3% 2 3% 2 59 4.05

Library hours were convenient.

27%

16 19%

11 15%

9 24%

14

10%

6 5% 3 59 3.14

Feedback from faculty members was provided in a timely manner.

31%

18 37%

22 22%

13

3% 2 3% 2 3% 2 59 3.78

Answered 59

Skipped 19

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Faculty members demonstrated thorough knowledge ofcourse content.

Faculty members inspired student interest in the coursematerial.

Faculty members were available for consultation outsideof class.

Faculty members assisted me in my academicdevelopment.

Faculty members conducted fair and transparentassessment of my work.

Overall, course content was of appropriate academicrigor.

With the exception of Arabic language classes, all classeswere taught exclusively in English.

Classroom facilities were adequate for the needs of thecourse.

Library facilities were adequate for my needs.

Library hours were convenient.

Feedback from faculty members was provided in a timelymanner.




Q14- What area of research are you interested in?

Answer Choices Responses

Political Science 19.64% 11 Middle East Studies 10.71% 6

Arabic Studies 5.36% 3

Global Affairs 5.36% 3 Migration and Refugee Studies 5.36% 3

Counseling Psychology 3.57% 2 Master of Public Policy & Administration 3.57% 2

Visual Arts 3.57% 2

Egyptology 1.79% 1

Egyptology & Coptology 1.79% 1

English and Comparative Literature 1.79% 1 Film 1.79% 1

Gender and Women's Studies in the Middle East 1.79% 1 History 1.79% 1

Public Administration 1.79% 1

LAW 1.79% 1 Public Policy 1.79% 1

Sociology 1.79% 1 Anthropology 0.00% 0

Communication and Media Arts 0.00% 0 Graphic Design 0.00% 0

Integrated Marketing Comm. 0.00% 0

International Human Rights Law 0.00% 0 Journalism & Mass Comm 0.00% 0

Community Psychology 0.00% 0 Multimedia Journalism 0.00% 0

Music Technology 0.00% 0

Performance 0.00% 0

Philosophy 0.00% 0

Psychology 0.00% 0 Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 0.00% 0

Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language 0.00% 0 Theatre 0.00% 0

TV. & Digital Journalism 0.00% 0



Others 25.00% 14


Other (please specify) Responses Frequency

Sustainable Development 2 Chemistry 2

Computer Science 1

Management 1

Project Management in construction projects 1

Engineering 1 Solar energy 1

Economics 1 Social Science 1

Technology's Role in Enhancing Teaching and Learning 1

Biology- Chemistry 1 Robotics 1

20%

11%

5% 5% 5%4% 4% 4%

2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2%

25%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

Po

litic

al S

cie

nce

Mid

dle

Eas

t St

ud

ies

Ara

bic

Stu

die

s

Glo

bal

Aff

airs

Mig

rati

on

an

d R

efu

gee

…

Co

un

selin

g P

sych

olo

gy

Mas

ter

of

Pu

blic

Po

licy…

Vis

ual

Art

s

Egyp

tolo

gy

Egyp

tolo

gy &

Co

pto

logy

Engl

ish

an

d…

Film

Gen

der

an

d W

om

en's

…

His

tory

Pu

blic

Ad

min

istr

atio

n

LAW

Pu

blic

Po

licy

Soci

olo

gy

Oth

ers



Q15- If you studied Arabic at AUC, please rate the following aspects of language instruction:

Strongly Agree


N/A Total

Weighted Average

Arabic language staff were helpful during online and on-campus advising and registration.

23% 9 18%

7 5% 2 3% 1 0% 0 53%

21

40 2.03

I was placed at an appropriate level of Arabic language instruction.

18%

7 23%

9 5% 2 3% 1 3% 1 50%

20

40 2

Arabic language courses were taught primarily in Arabic.

18%

7 13%

5 10%

4 8% 3 3% 1 50%

20

40 1.85

The teaching methods were effective.

21%

8 10%

4 18%

7 3% 1 0% 0 49%

19

39 2.03

Course materials were relevant and aided learning.

20%

8 13%

5 15%

6 0% 0 3% 1 50%

20

40 1.98

The level of class participation and discussion was appropriate to meet the objectives of the class.

25%

10

13%

5 10%

4 0% 0 3% 1 50%

20

40 2.08

Faculty members conducted fair and transparent assessment of my work.

20%

8 18%

7 10%

4 3% 1 0% 0 50%

20

40 2.05



Strongly Agree


N/A Total

Weighted Average

The instructions I received significantly increased my Arabic language skills.

25%

10

10%

4 10%

4 0% 0 3% 1 53%

21

40 1.98

Answered 40

Skipped 38

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Arabiclanguage staffwere helpfulduring online

and on-campus

advising andregistration.

I was placedat an

appropriatelevel of Arabic

languageinstruction.

Arabiclanguage

courses weretaught

primarily inArabic.

The teachingmethods were

effective.

Coursematerials

were relevantand aidedlearning.

The level ofclass

participationand

discussionwas

appropriate tomeet the

objectives ofthe class.

Facultymembers

conducted fairand

transparentassessmentof my work.

Theinstructions I

receivedsignificantly

increased myArabic

languageskills.




Q16- Please indicate your overall level of satisfaction with the following services:

Very Satisfied

Satisfied Neutral Dissatisfied

Strongly Dissatisfied

N/A Total

Weighted Average

Athletic facilities

29% 16 36% 20 11%

6 5% 3 2% 1 18%

10

56 3.3

Bus service 9% 5 44% 24 11%

6 7% 4 0% 0 29%

16

55 2.67

Food services on campus

7% 4 41% 23 21%

12

16%

9 11%

6 4% 2 56 3.07

Medical services

18%

10 18% 10 14%

8 14%

8 4% 2 32%

18

56 2.36

Office of Student Well-being

13%

7 11% 6 11%

6 4% 2 2% 1 61%

34

56 1.46

Office of Residential Life (Student Housing)

9% 5 18% 10 7% 4 13%

7 4% 2 50%

28

56 1.66

Security 24%

13 44% 24 20%

11

7% 4 2% 1 4% 2 55 3.69

Student health insurance

20%

11 20% 11 16%

9 4% 2 4% 2 38%

21

56 2.36

Travel Office 11%

6 13% 7 23%

13

7% 4 2% 1 45%

25

56 1.89

ISL Office services including International Student Lounge, mini-loans, off-campus housing and emergency line.

29%

16 29% 16 14%

8 4% 2 0% 0 25%

14

56 3.07

Access to Library

36%

20 27% 15 21%

12

14%

8 0% 0 2% 1 56 3.79

Answered 56

Skipped 22



0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Ath

leti

c fa

cilit

ies

Bu

s se

rvic

e

Foo

d s

erv

ices

on

cam

pu

s

Me

dic

al s

erv

ices

Off

ice

of

Stu

den

t W

ell-

bei

ng

Off

ice

of

Re

sid

en

tial

Lif

e(S

tud

en

t H

ou

sin

g)

Secu

rity

Stu

den

t h

ealt

h in

sura

nce

Trav

el O

ffic

e

ISL

Off

ice

serv

ices

incl

ud

ing

Inte

rnat

ion

alSt

ud

ent

Lou

nge

, min

i-…

Acc

ess

to L

ibra

ry

Very Satisfied Satisfied Neutral Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied Not Applicable



Q17- Did you participate in any of the following extracurricular activities?

Answer Yes No Total

Community service activities

23% 12 77% 41 53

Work-study program 21% 11 79% 42 53

Graduate Student Association (GSA)

19% 10 81% 44 54

Lectures 64% 34 36% 19 53

Model Arab League 0% 0 100% 50 50

Model United Nations 2% 1 98% 49 50

Sports 20% 10 80% 41 51

Student clubs 24% 13 76% 41 54

Student cultural activities (art, folklore, etc.)

17% 9 83% 43 52

Student government (Student Union, Student Court & Student Senate)

6% 3 94% 48 51

Student-organized conferences

17% 9 83% 44 53

Theater 6% 3 94% 48 51

Trips and special events 67% 35 33% 17 52

Other 14% 5 86% 32 37

If you did not participate in any of the above mentioned activities, please explain why.

0% 0 0% 0 13

Answered 54

Skipped 24



If you did not participate in any of the above mentioned activities, please explain why.

# Response Frequency

1 No Time 6

2 Not Interested 1

3 I found the on-campus student-led activities not very strong at AUC. 1

4 Some activities were not applicable for graduate students 1

5 Trips are expensive 1

6 I'm in the CASA program on the Their campus 1

7 I wanted to engage outside of my workplace/school 1

8 I wanted to play soccer, but was not selected. 1

23% 21% 19%

64%

0% 2%

20% 24%17%

6%17%

6%

67%

14%

77% 79% 81%

36%

100% 98%

80% 76%83%

94%83%

94%

33%

86%

Co

mm

un

ity

serv

ice

acti

viti

es

Wo

rk-s

tud

y p

rogr

am

Gra

du

ate

Stu

de

nt

Ass

oci

atio

n (

GSA

)

Lect

ure

s

Mo

del

Ara

b L

eag

ue

Mo

del

Un

ited

Nat

ion

s

Spo

rts

Stu

den

t cl

ub

s

Stu

den

t cu

ltu

ral a

ctiv

itie

s(a

rt, f

olk

lore

, etc

.)

Stu

den

t go

vern

me

nt

(Stu

de

nt

Un

ion

, Stu

den

t…

Stu

den

t-o

rgan

ize

dco

nfe

ren

ces

The

ater

Trip

s an

d s

pec

ial e

ven

ts

Oth

er

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

Yes No



Q18- Did you encounter any difficulty in joining student activities or groups?

Answer Frequency Count

Yes 16.67% 9

No 83.33% 45

If yes, Please specify 9 Answered

54

Skipped 24

If yes, please specify why.

# Response Frequency

1 No Time 2 2 No completed information offered 3

3 I tried to sign up to a group and also contacted them after the fair, but never got a response.

1

4 Language barrier 1

5

I expressed interest in joining a student organization, and the faculty adviser decided that meant I would be president of the organization without asking about my time commitments or professional/academic/personal goals.

1

6

Some clubs are run by a bunch of friends who stick to each other only and the people they know. They are childish and I was overworked. There is lack of communication and every single time I voice a concern I am shut down and meant to believe I was wrong and everything they did is justified.

1



16.67%

83.33%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Yes No



Q19- Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements:

Strongly Agree


Total Weighted average

AUC students are hard to get to know.

7% 3 33%

15

33%

15

18%

8 9% 4 45 3.11

It is easier to get to know other international students.

47%

21

27%

12

13%

6 4% 2 9% 4 45 3.98

I prefer to socialize with people of my own culture.

2% 1 7% 3 27%

12

47%

21 18%

8 45 2.29

AUC students are friendly when you get to know them.

22%

10

53%

24

22%

10

2% 1 0% 0 45 3.96

ISL trips provided me with a valuable cultural experience.

29%

13

31%

14

36%

16

2% 1 2% 1 45 3.82

I experienced security issues on trips outside of Cairo.

4% 2 4% 2 33%

15

31%

14 27%

12 45 2.29

ISL cultural events offered opportunity to learn more about other cultures.

24%

11

38%

17

31%

14

4% 2 2% 1 45 3.78

I would have liked more chances to experience Egyptian culture and family life.

34%

15

32%

14

25%

11

5% 2 5% 2 44 3.86

I would have liked to make more friends from AUC.

29%

13

44%

20

20%

9 2% 1 4% 2 45 3.91

It is difficult to meet Egyptians from outside the university.

20%

9 24%

11

22%

10

16%

7 18%

8 45 3.13

AUC's location prevented me from visiting places inside Cairo.

27%

12

11%

5 34%

15

18%

8 9% 4 44 3.3

Answered 45

Skipped 33



0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

It is easier to get to know other international students.

I would have liked more chances to experience…

I intend to correspond (email, Facebook, etc.) with the…

ISL trips provided me with a valuable cultural experience.

I would have liked to make more friends from AUC.

AUC's location prevented me from visiting places inside…

ISL cultural events offered opportunity to learn more…

I've made some good contacts for the future.

AUC students are friendly when you get to know them.

It is difficult to meet Egyptians from outside the…

AUC students are hard to get to know.

I had difficulty finding transportation to and from…

I experienced security issues on trips outside of Cairo.

I had difficulty adapting to Egypt.

I prefer to socialize with people of my own culture.

Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree




Strongly Agree


Total

Weighted average

Cultural differences are respected at the university.

28% 13 43%

20 20%

9 4%

2 4% 2 46 3.87

Religious differences are respected at the university.

24%

11 48%

22 20%

9 4%

2 4% 2 46 3.83

Students who are different from others are treated with respect at the university.

22%

10 39%

18 28%

13 7%

3 4% 2 46 3.67

I am free to express my gender in the way that I most strongly identify.

24%

11 33%

15 29%

13 7%

3 7% 3 45 3.62

I am free to express and discuss my political opinion.

20%

9 37%

17 33%

15 4%

2 7% 3 46 3.59

Answered 46

Skipped 32

3.87 3.83 3.67 3.62 3.59

00.5

11.5

22.5

33.5

44.5

Cultural differencesare respected at the

university.

Religious differencesare respected at the

university.

Students who aredifferent from others

are treated withrespect at the

university.

I am free to expressmy gender in the waythat I most strongly

identify.

I am free to expressand discuss my

political opinion.




Strongly Agree


Total

Weighted average

I've had serious conversations with students who were different from me in terms of their religious beliefs, political opinions, or personal values.

33% 15 33%

15

18%

8 13%

6 2% 1 45 2.18

My experience has helped me become more flexible and adaptable in new environments.

36%

16 47%

21

13%

6 4% 2 0% 0 45 1.87

My experience has helped increase my understanding of myself.

29%

13 51%

23

20%

9 0% 0 0% 0 45 1.91

My experience has helped me grow more self-confident.

33%

15 36%

16

24%

11

7% 3 0% 0 45 2.04

My experience has helped increase my understanding of my own country and my own culture.

33%

15 36%

16

22%

10

9% 4 0% 0 45 2.07

My experience has increased my awareness of regional and global issues.

44%

20 42%

19

11%

5 2% 1 0% 0 45 1.71

My experience has helped me understand and

29%

13 53%

24

18%

8 0% 0 0% 0 45 1.89



0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

My experience has increased my awareness ofregional and global issues.

My experience has helped me become more flexibleand adaptable in new environments.

I've had serious conversations with students whowere different from me in terms of their religious…

My experience has helped me grow more self-confident.

My experience has helped increase my understandingof my own country and my own culture.

I've met my personal goals for my study experience atAUC.

My experience has helped increase my understandingof myself.

My experience has helped me understand andappreciate differences in values, cultures, and belief…


appreciate differences in values, cultures, and belief systems.

I've met my personal goals for my study experience at AUC.

33%

15 38%

17

11%

5 16%

7 2% 1 45 2.16

Answered 45

Skipped 33



Q22- Overall, how satisfied are you with the opportunities you were provided with to experience Egyptian culture and society?

Answer Frequency Count

Very Satisfied 13.33% 6

Satisfied 60.00% 27

Neutral 17.78% 8

Dissatisfied 8.89% 4

Very Dissatisfied 0.00% 0

Answered

45

Skipped 33

13.33%

60.00%

17.78%

8.89%

0.00%0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Very Satisfied Satisfied Neutral Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied



Q23- Please rate the following statement.

43%

35%

13%

7%

2%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%


Strongly Agree

Agree Neutral

Disagree Strongly Disagree

Total

Weighted average

I would recommend AUC to other students who want to study in the region.

43% 20

35% 16

13%

6 7% 3 2% 1 46 4.11

Answered 46

Skipped 32



Q24- Do you have any advice to give to future students from your country/region? Please specify.

# Responses

1 Beware of the cumbersome registration process. Have multiple back-up plans for financial transactions. Try not to stay in Tagama'a, go downtown.

2 Well, if you are thinking of pursuing a graduate program but you don't have any idea of how to fund a quality education, think AUC.

3

Don't bother too much about all the super-cautious, convoluted and confused information you'll receive from AUC. I wished I had ignored them. Most of the time common sense of an adult human being does more good than this. And apart from that: Enjoy and get to know Cairo! It is far more exciting than AUC.

4 They should do it!

5 I would suggest future international students take every opportunity to explore Cairo and Egypt because they will be in the country for a short period.

6 I would like to outline that AUC is amazing university and very comfortable university with very good scholarship opportunity, so i would encourage them to apply and join the university to have a wonderful experience.

7 Socialize, travel around and do not just stay on campus. Sign up for the trips!

8 I encouraged a friend to apply, but he became so discouraged with the unresponsive admission office that he decided not to come.

9

First, what you see in the media is rarely indicative of Egypt. Sure, there are specific incidents in very isolated areas or locations but it's not everywhere and it's relatively rare. Second, work very hard to not think like a foreigner in Egypt but rather exist and absorb. Soon, you'll figure out how things work and come to understand what is expected and what is and isn't important in the culture (i.e. expectations of timely arrival). Third, the economy is a roller coaster. Don't get upset about it, just hang on for the ride.

10

Do not rush into getting to know Egyptian students, always take your time dealing with them because they can be vicious and deceiving. Not everyone is like this of course, but some are very hard to deal with so take your time. Also enjoy the activities provided in AUC because they help you make friends.



# Responses

11

It is a trade-off to live in 'real Egypt' with the need to commute long hours, or to live on campus in a upper class bubble. Especially if you're attending ALIN courses, be prepared to spend long hours in worn-down buses where through tight seat pitches working seriously is hard, most often the light is switched off during night trips so reading papers is also not an option. Don't take the course catalog of previous years seriously. It is not more than a rough idea what could be offered. Listen to other students' advice on which teachers are good, your learning experience will be strongly dependent on the teacher as quality unfortunately varies substantially. If living off campus, find a well isolated places. Egypt is by far the noisiest place I've ever lived at, and in Winter nights can get pretty cold. And honestly and though I hate to say this, take care to get a minimal command of Arabic and some tan, not speaking Arabic and being fair-skinned puts you in a high risk of being subject to even stronger scamming than already usual.

12 Get off campus as much as possible. Also, make friends with classmates early on in the semester.

13

AUC is not really an accurate reflection of Egyptian culture. I found that Egyptians outside of AUC are much more friendly and willing to help me than AUCians. Under no circumstances would I live in the dorms on campus again. It prevented me from experiencing Cairo and also there was no sort of bonding or family feeling in the dorms, which is what I was expecting since this was what I experienced in my home country in undergrad.

Documents

International Students Exit Survey- Fall 2017€¦ · results of the survey will be used to help ISL improve international students’ overall experience ... Study Abroad, Fall 2017