About AU

Abroad at AU students meet former President of the United States Jimmy Carter.

American University

As a leading US university, American University (AU) offers a classic US-style comprehensive liberal arts curriculum based on a centralized, multi-purpose campus combined with unparalleled opportunities for students to put their learning into practice through internships and public service in the country’s capital city of Washington DC.

AU also has a well-deserved reputation as a global university, with over 1,000 international students from 140 countries, many award-winning faculty members engaged in international scholarship and research, and a curriculum notable for its wide array of courses with international themes. A distinctive feature of many programs is their close integration with Washington-based organizations and decision-makers as well as government entities. The university is committed to public service, diversity, and experiential and interdisciplinary learning.

AU is located on an 84-acre campus in northwest Washington , and close to downtown. The campus is in a beautiful residential neighborhood in one of the safest areas in the Nation’s capital. Its facilities include a library with over 1,000,000 titles and ties to other area university libraries, a national public radio station, a language resource center, science and computer science laboratories, and buildings for art and the performing arts. AU is known for its advanced information technology resources, including its wireless capacity for all students. Interested students may learn more about the university by consulting the media facts.

Abroad at AU will provide a stimulating and memorable experience for international students who are unable to spend a full four years at a U.S. university but strongly desire to study abroad.

Washington, D.C.

Washington , DC , the Nation’s capital, is a truly dynamic and cosmopolitan city. The city was designed by the French architect Pierre l’Enfant and it is the only city in the U.S. that is not part of any state but has its own government. In the spring, the temperatures average 67F/20C, while summers are hot and humid, with high temperatures averaging 85F/30C. Falls are lovely, with temperatures similar to those in the spring, while winters are mild but be prepared for occasional snow and temperatures averaging 20F-40F/-0C-4C.

The city is full of activities for students to take advantage of - concerts, movies, athletic events, parks, ethnic neighborhoods, and museums offering guest speakers. The great majority of museums in Washington , DC can be visited free of charge, in particular, all of the Smithsonian Museums. Student can also enjoy the nightlife of Georgetown and Adams Morgan, the many parks and bike trails, and the mountains and beaches located only a few hours away.