Student Life

Dear international student,

GAU is a micro society, embracing staff and students from all over the world. The MCC wants to reflect this in its activities. We want to give students the opportunity to make the most out of their stay with us, by meeting other cultures.

We do understand that living away from home is not always easy, but don’t worry, GAU has a close international student community, who guarantees enough activities and events for you not to feel too much homesick! !...bye the way, why don’t you get involved yourself?

Spring Festival

The most look-forward-to event of the year takes place mid-May, the celebration of Springtime. During a whole week, GAU swings! The participation and enthusiasm of international students is always admired. During the first day of the festival, international students prepare and offer their traditional food and present their country’s traditions in the best possible way.

The rest of the week offers a big parade in town, where international students carry their flag, reviews prepared by students, shows, concerts, competitions, dance shows and theatre plays, again performed by students, and many more events. Stalls are opened from morning till evening in which students can sell items or present their clubs. GAU Radio and TV is there to broadcast it all!

If you want to take part in this beautiful festival, then don’t forget to bring your country flag, traditional dress and any accessories famous in your country. Prices are given to the best country stand!

International Student Union (ISU)

We at ISU focus on three important elements of students’ life. These are intellectual growth of the students, recreational activities and students’ support services. The entire edifice of ISU is supported by these three pillars. In the first category we organized activities such as study groups, debates and quizzes. These activities are meant to give students a chance to learn more about the world and develop skills such as public speaking, analytical thinking etc. These activities also help students in fulfilling their primary goal which is intellectual growth.

Because during a large part of the year students are engaged in academic work, they therefore need a recreational break. We provide this break through such activities as parties, recreational tours, movies, cyber-games and sports activities.

Apart from curricular and extra-curricular activities, from time to time, we organize student support services. In the beginning of every semester we with International Admissions’ office arrange a student pick up service. Our highly motivated volunteers welcome the new comers and provide them with necessary information. We also organize campus and city tours which help new comers to get acquainted with the life at GAU.

To organize all these activities we are always on look out for people who are motivated, dedicated and have the potential to lead. We provide such students an opportunity to develop themselves and channel their energy for the growth of ISU. We hope that all the prospective students will join us in our quest for growth and will further enrich the campus life of GAU.

Celal SAKKA
Director of Multicultural Center
celal@gau.edu.tr

Comments from international students

* I’m thankful to my life for this chance of studying in the American University of Cyprus. I always wanted to study abroad and to get a good quality education. So, it became true 2 years ago.
To be a well-educated person and a specialist in a specific field is number one priority for me personally. I guess, knowledge encourages global thinking, so you see yourself as an important part of society who can bring innovations and some unique input into the word we all live in. Not less than that!
First of All, I really enjoy the interactive style of learning in GAU. You are ought to be responsible and motivated in studies if you want to keep your CGPA on a good level and to gain use from all your classes.
Academic staff are specialists, with great experience, and they are always close to their students and open to help at any time. Methods and techniques are all new XXI century-ones. So it keeps you awake at your lectures and even interested.
To make our life more busy and colorful, there is the International Students Union. Something we all need when first get in the world of GAU. Activities of the Union help you not to be lonely and meet new friends-All “internationals” as we call ourselves!
Oh, there are some other things to mention still, but it’s better one time to see, then 100 times to look.
You know, Nadya

* Hello,
My name is Ernis and I’m an MBA student. As international student I would like to say, that ISU is a very good student organization, which helps us to meet each other, organizes nice and interesting trips and picnics. They organize not only entertainment, but also a lot of interesting programs, conferences and seminars. I would like to say thanks to all members of ISU to making our life in N. Cyprus more interesting and enjoyable.

* As a member and one of the first people to join the ISU since it started two years back, I would like to say to all of you, welcome to Cyprus and be happy you are in GAU.
By joining the ISU I found myself, I learned how to live my life and at the same time to keep good in my studies and with friends.
Parties, picnics, competitions, girls and boys, games and many more. Come and join us.
This is my second year and I can say that this place is nice, its nice with its nature, its nice with its people, its nice because we make it nice, because we love each other, because we care about each other, it is nice.
I am sure that your family will grow up hear the same as mine did.
Jeries Shimon Karborani