A group of AUS students learned more about the UAE's rich culture by attending Sharjah Heritage Days on April 20, 2016. The trip was organized by the Office of Student Affairs' Student Multicultural Learning Program and the AUS Emirati Cultural Club.

Sharjah Heritage Days, which is organized by the Sharjah Institute for Heritage and held in the Heart of Sharjah area, featured a variety of traditional events that reflected the social and cultural developments of life in Sharjah. A tour guide gave the students a detailed explanation about traditional Emirati ways of life. Students enjoyed exploring the handicraft displays and viewing exhibitions on coastal, agricultural and Bedouin environments. The annual event also included traditional markets and a mixture of multicultural entertainment areas.

Dr. Moza Al Shehhi, Dean of Students, expressed the importance of arranging similar cultural and local field trips. "The aim of this program is to educate our youth about the rich culture of the UAE, and I encourage all students, especially those coming from different cultural backgrounds, to discover the local heritage and traditions in the UAE," she stated.

"I can't express my pride enough of Sharjah Heritage Days! It is one of the few places where I believe was able to experience the real culture in a very authentic way," said Mariam Aldhaheri, a junior design student.