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Student Life

Community of Scholars Pre-college Program Pays Dividends for SIS Undergrads

The Community of Scholars program gives high school students the opportunity to experience a slice of college life and broaden their understanding of international relations.

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The DC Experience

Students will have the opportunity to attend briefings at institutions, such as the U.S. Department of State, World Bank, embassies, and the United States Institute of Peace.

During the program, students will have the opportunity to hear from guest speakers, including diplomats and U.S. government officials, on a host of issues regarding international affairs. Students are encouraged to ask questions and learn first-hand from these experts in the field.

On several afternoons, students will attend skills-building workshops, including a panel of AU alumni discussing careers in international relations and a session on the college admissions process given by representatives from AU's Admissions.

Students will have free time to enjoy campus life, whether working out at the fitness center or relaxing on the quad or at one of AU's cafes. Structured evening activities may include an opening barbecue, an evening monument tour, a "Capitol Steps" performance at the Ronald Reagan Building, and "International Night—an on-campus event with food and festivities from around the world. In addition, chaperone-led trips to the Smithsonian museums, Georgetown, and the National Zoo will be organized for the weekend.

 

Living on Campus

Dormitory housing is available for the campus segment of the program. Students will be housed in air-conditioned doubles or triples in a centrally located dormitory on AU’s beautiful northwest Washington, DC, campus. All linens—sheets, blankets, and a towel— will be provided. AU upperclassmen, as well as a senior resident advisor, will live in the dormitories and serve as mentors throughout the program. The front desk of the dormitory is staffed 24-hours a day, seven days a week. The front doors of the dormitory are kept locked at all times; students swipe their AU student ID cards every time they enter. Wi-Fi is available in the dorms and students are encouraged to bring laptops if they own them; however campus computers are available to students in the library.

 

Typical Weekday

9-12 p.m.
In class. Students are taught by faculty who are experts in their field. Classes are highly interactive, emphasizing the principle that students learn by doing. Professors provide a varied classroom format, including lectures, small group work, simulations, video case studies, and guest speakers.
12 p.m.
Lunch and free time. Students will eat with their professor on the first day. On other days, students will eat at one of the campus eating places on campus.
2 p.m.
Briefing at U.S. Department of State. Activities on other afternoons include embassy visits, guest speakers, and skills-building workshops.
4 p.m.
Study/free time.  Students enjoy campus life—studying at Bender Library, working out at the fitness center, relaxing on the quad, hanging out with fellow students.
6 p.m.
Dinner/evening activity. An optional evening activity (such as s’mores and frisbee on the quad) is scheduled each evening.
9:30 p.m.
Students in dormitory (Common area or own room).
11:30 p.m.
Curfew. Students in own room.

Typical Weekend

9-11 a.m.
Sleep in/brunch.
11-3 p.m.
Chaperoned trip to Smithsonian museums and lunch downtown.
3-6 p.m.
Free time/study time.  Students enjoy campus life—studying at Bender Library, working out at the fitness center, relaxing on the quad, hanging out with fellow students.
7 p.m.
Capitol Steps performance at the Ronald Reagan Building. Other evening activities include a monument tour and a festive “International Night” dinner.
9:30 p.m.
Students in dormitory (Common area or own room).
11:30 p.m.
Curfew. Students in own room.

Meals are served in the Terrace Dining Room (TDR) in the Mary Graydon Center. The hours of operation are the following: Breakfast (7 - 9 am), Lunch (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.), and Dinner (5 - 7:30 p.m.). On some days, students will be allowed to take the AU shuttle to AU's Tenleytown campus which is adjacent to several eating places, such as Panera Bread, Chipotle, Z-Burger, and Whole Foods.