AUS students conclude a study trip to Turkey

Thirty students from the American Society of Civil Engineers Club (ASCE) at American University of Sharjah (AUS) have returned to AUS recently after participating in an educational trip to Turkey, in cooperation with Istanbul Technical University (ITU).

The students visited the Civil Engineering Department of ITU, where they were briefed about the university's history. The students also had a brief lecture on geotechnical earthquake engineering by an ITU engineering faculty member at the university's laboratory of engineering seismology.

Organized through the AUS Office of Student Affairs' Student Multicultural Learning Program, the trip provided students with educational, social and cultural experiences. During the five-day stay in Istanbul, the students also had the opportunity to visit and learn the history of the city.

"We are currently working on creating more multicultural learning opportunities for our students' development," said Dr. Moza Al Shehhi, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. "The Student Multicultural Learning Program at AUS was launched last year with a tour to China and Hong Kong. Since then, the program has gained popularity among the student body and many students have shown interest in taking part in its cultural tours," she added.

Commenting on the visit, graduating civil engineering student, Reem Mohammed Salih, said, "This trip has been one of the best experiences I have ever had. Not only was Turkey magnificent with its rich history and thoughtful people, but those participating in the trip have been some of the greatest people I have ever met. In a matter of days, the ASCE members turned from strangers into family. I could not imagine this trip without the participation of every single member. I believe this trip paved a great ending as I graduate from AUS."

The ASCE Club is one of the most active clubs in the College of Engineering at AUS. One of the club's objectives is to provide the opportunity for members to explore the civil engineering field through learning experiences beyond their daily experiences on campus.