With the support of the Department of English, the English Fellows hosted the fourth annual open mic night on Wednesday February 27, 2019. Under the Van Gogh-inspired theme, Starry Night, students from across the American University of Sharjah campus, in all majors and disciplines, were able to bond, laugh, and create friendships over common experiences and delicious food. As the evening gave way to night, students shared their stories under the stars in an evening of poetry, improvised recital, performance, song and mime. 

The English Fellows are a select group of English majors who carry out various academic and social responsibilities critical to the intellectual development and communal environment of the Department of English. The Open Mic Night is just one of the annual events they organize. 

“Such events act as a portal that allow us to unleash our creativity through collegiality, and we really want students to feel comfortable just being themselves. This year’s Open Mic Night was just such a platform for self-expression, intellectual bonding and memorable experiences,” said Dana Jaber, a Department Fellow and one of the student organizers.

Dr. Maya Aghasi, co-chair of the Department of English’s Outreach and Marketing Committee, said, “I extend special thanks to the English Fellows, especially Aisha Al-Ali, Rubaiya Chowdhury, Salma Elgerby, and Dana Jaber and their wonderful cohort of friends for all the work they did to make the event such a successful one. We can't wait for the fifth installation next year!”