AUD hosts Harvard University Students, 2011
AUD Students attend annual Harvard Conference, 2011
AUD hosts Harvard Students in second part of HCAP, 2009
AUD Students at HCAP, 2009
AUD partners with Harvard University, 2008
10 AUD students attend Harvard Conference, 2008

The American University in Dubai serves as one of six partner schools for the Harvard College in Asia Program, a nonprofit student organization at Harvard University that promotes academic, cultural, and social exchange among the future leaders of the United States and Asia.

Ghina Kalaji (Business Administration)

“The Harvard trip was a very useful experience that added to our view of the world. We got to see different people from different places such as Tokyo, Honk Kong, India, Korea, and Singapore. This opportunity of meeting different people showed us the differences among cultures and how we can easily adapt if we are able to accept others. We were able to see many places in Boston, expanding our knowledge of their history, culture, and lifestyle. Overall it was an awesome trip that I will remember always”.

Shilpa
“Every university student seeks to create memories which we hope to treasure and share with others down the line. HCAP is definitely a part of this treasure. My tiring journey of around 24 hours suddenly did not feel exhausting anymore, after leaving the airport. The following days’ events became one of the most awaited events in my life. The warm welcome from the HCAP hosts at Boston airport boosted my expectations of having a wonderful stay there. With each and every day passing by, I started to realize the important role this trip would play in my life. Events which were organized came with fun and enthusiasm along with the learning, making it the most memorable experience I have ever had. This trip helped to broaden my view of the world as it gave me a chance to interact with delegates, from different countries, belonging to various educational backgrounds. HCAP created friendships that will last forever and an unforgettable experience to last a life time!”

Fidan Gasimova

“I had the time of my life! Never in my life had I met such a diverse and interesting group of people. I was surprised how quickly everyone bonded and became this dynamic family in the course of just one week. I truly believe I made friends for life!”.

Carol Iskander

“HCAP was not just another conference that you attend and forget in a few weeks; it was the opportunity to discuss real-life issues and figure out what exactly each of us can do about them. It showed us our potential to actually make a difference in our respective societies. The lessons I've learnt through my interactions with students from Harvard, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Seoul, Singapore and Tokyo have and will continue to influence me, and invariably my contribution to my surrounding community. It also gave me the chance to meet some of the best minds from around Asia and the US, and to form true friendships that will last a lifetime”.

Hira Siddiqui

“The HCAP trip was enlightening in many ways. We got to know how students from different cultures are being groomed in their respective environments. The most important thing that I gained out of this trip is that regardless of what the platform is, let it be Harvard or AUD, the general point of views and the basic aptitudes of students all over the world is very similar. It is very common amongst us students to continuously compare our educational institutes with that of others. However, after this trip, I have started to realize that it really depends on the students themselves to create their own future. We do not need a commercial banner of our educational institutes to succeed. Basically sky is the limit for all of us, and we all have equal chances towards it! Lastly, the most inspirational thing that I learned from Harvard students is their commitment to their work amidst all their extracurricular activities. In all it was a great learning experience, we learned to cherish what we have and during all this made good friends”.

Sareh Ameri-Mills
“The HCAP trip provided me with many valuable experiences. What most impressed me was how well the event was managed by the Harvard Students. Sixty foreign students, along with the 91 from Harvard, participated and everything went smoothly. To see undergraduates so competent at managing such a seemingly difficult series of tasks was very impressive to me. The lectures we attended were inspiring. The professors were, obviously, world class academics and I felt privileged to be in their classrooms. But the students in the classrooms were also inspiring. They were attentive, engaged, and interested in learning. The classrooms were wired so that all the students had direct access to the slides the professor was showing on their laptops. Also remarkable was the Harvard campus. The buildings were spectacular, many of them designed by the most famous architects in the world, such as Le Corbusier. The atmosphere of seriousness pervades the place. The Widener Library was astonishing. It’s the second largest library in the United States, but it is so well designed, with study areas, research rooms, and other amenities to help students and faculty study, that it doesn’t feel overwhelmingly large. Cambridge itself was quaint. It was small and friendly, yet also an urban centre. The trips outside of Harvard’s campus and Cambridge were interesting. Overall, it was a life-changing experience that has inspired me to consider the Ivies for my graduate work.”