Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane
Ifrane, Morocco
www.aui.ma

Location

Ifrane has a regular population of 12,000 that expands to nearly 100,000 on weekends, holidays and summers because of its beauty in all 4 seasons. At 1600 meters (5000 feet) elevation, Ifrane is nestled in the Middle Atlas Mountains, home of the largest cedar forest in North Africa and the most biologically diverse area in Morocco. The ski slopes of Michlifin and Hebri are about 25 minutes from campus. The imperial cities of Meknes and Fez are an hour (65 kilometers) from Ifrane. The capital city of Rabat on the Atlantic coast is 2 hours from Ifrane; the Sahara desert is just 6 hours away.

University

Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (AUI) was founded in 1993 by Royal Dahir, opening a completely modern and networked, English-medium university to students in January 1995. The University is coeducational, residential and primarily undergraduate but has rapidly growing graduate programs. The outlook is international and tolerance is promoted and expected of students, staff, and faculty members belonging to over 25 nationalities who live and work together. With just over 1200 students enrolled, the majority are full-time and live on-campus. The student population is, and has always been, balanced at 50% female and 50% male. There is an increasingly international character to the student body with over 160 students of 28 nationalities on campus in study abroad and exchange programs in regular semester or attending the intensive Arabic and North African Studies summer program.

The faculty is composed of 95 highly qualified professionals, most with PhDs or doctorates, of whom 83 are full-time and 12 are part-time. 55% of faculty members are Moroccan, a number of which have dual citizenship, and 45% of faculty members are international, representing over 15 nationalities. The student-faculty ratio is 11 students for each faculty member. All full-time faculty members maintain a minimum of 9 office hours per week for easy access by students.

AUI's 40 hectare campus is located in the oak forest on the north side of the resort town of Ifrane. Facilities include 16 residence buildings for students whose rooms all have their own bathrooms. There is a gymnasium and an indoor Olympic, regulation size swimming pool next to the soccer field and track across from the 3 regulation tennis courts. All classroom buildings are located next to each other and have faculty offices distributed throughout. The main auditorium seats 600 and is the site for concerts and special events. There are numerous activities each week and over 40 clubs to appeal to nearly any interest: sporting, artistic, cultural, or academic. In addition to the several inter-mural teams and tournaments, there are official men's and women's teams representing AUI in national university leagues in volleyball, soccer, basketball and tennis.

A central concern in the founding vision of His Late Majesty Hassan II was the importance of AUI as an intellectual and spiritual space where the 3 religions of the book (Islam, Judaism and Christianity) could co-exist in harmony and affirm common heritage and values. Tolerance as the capacity to recognize and respect the beliefs or practices of others has enjoyed a long tradition in Morocco, and continues to be promoted in the University Common Core curriculum and through the numerous activities on campus.

Academic Program

Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (AUI) is an English medium of instruction institution.  Course materials are in English. Courses are normally open to exchange undergraduates with no restrictions other than university pre-requisites as stated in the catalog for each course.  Pre-requisites of AUI courses should be respected. 

Al Akhawayn University follows a North American Curriculum:
-Normal Course Load: 15 Credits (5 classes)
-1 Course =  3 scholastic credit hours (SCH)
-1 SCH = 15 contact hours
-Minimum Credits per semester:  12 undergraduate

Language courses in Arabic, French, Spanish and sometimes Berber are offered each semester.  All language classes use the immersion method in which only the target language is used. A placement test during the orientation and registration period is required for any student requesting a language course after the beginning level.  If there are less than 5 students, a course cannot be offered but every reasonable attempt will be made to accommodate international students.  Very advanced students of French will be placed into classes of Moroccan students polishing their languages skills in French.  International students/non native speakers of Arabic normally only register in Arabic classes labeled ARA.  Very advanced learners of Arabic may be placed in to classes labeled ARB with Moroccan students.

Program Dates

Fall Semester: ~ 3rd week of August - 3rd week of December
Application deadline: February 1

Spring Semester: January 15 - May 22 (dates will be similar each year)
Application deadline: February 1 of previous year

Program Costs

Exchange programs charge only regular JMU tuition, based on residency, while room and board are paid to the host institution.  Students are responsible for airfare and personal expenses.

SAMPLE BUDGET (one semester):

Accommodations

Housing Services provides the Al Akhawayn Community with quality housing at a reasonable cost. It manages a residential area of 20 dormitories, 16 of which are for students. All students are housed in a single or double room and provided with the following: a wardrobe, a desk, a chair, and a twin size bed. All exchange students are issued a mattress pad and a set of sheets, a pillow and blanket (ask housing if you need more blankets). The ensuite bathroom is equipped with a shower. The dormitories at AUI are strictly segregated by sex. There is no visitation of the opposite sex in the residences at any time. Students are also not allowed to host overnight guests other than family.

Reflection Paper

All students who participate in a JMU exchange program will be required to write a reflection paper upon completion of the program which will be available for future participants to read. Please click here to read past reflection papers from JMU students at AUI.

Eligibility

Applicants must have a 2.75 GPA and be in good standing with the university.

How to Apply

Spaces are limited. Please meet with a study abroad advisor before applying. For more detailed instructions and to download the application, please click on the following link to the Applications and Forms section for JMU Exchange Programs.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Scholarships specifically for exchange programs are sometimes available. Check our website for current offerings. Most forms of financial aid apply to the cost of study abroad programs. Students should consult with a financial aid counselor for specific information about awards and eligibility. For more information, please click on the following link to the Financial Aid & Scholarships page.