AUC Today

  Dorm
  Doors Open

   With the opening of the on-campus student residences last year, many now enjoy    close proximity to classes and university life

   In January 2009, the student residences on the New Cairo Campus opened their doors for AUC students.This marked the first time since the 1950s, when Hill House was established as the first student dormitory, for students to be able to live on campus. Designed by Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta, who also designed the Campus Center, the square buildings are nestled between palm groves, gardens and small courtyards and are intended to resemble a village, or townhouse.They are divided into 12 residential units, or cottages –– seven for women and five for men. Residents live in small apartments with kitchens, personal rooms and a common living space that contains bathrooms, a lounge and study area. Each cottage has a courtyard and roof terrace.The shared common area downstairs includes a large lounge with a fusball and air-hockey table, group-study rooms and a computer lab. During the academic year, residential life activities include movie screenings, painting classes and yoga lessons.There are also trips organized to various places such as Luxor and Aswan, Mount Sinai and the Black and White Deserts.

   While the university still maintains its Zamalek Dormitory with more than 300 students, a total of 445 students live at the New Cairo Campus residences –– 210 males and 235 females. Living on campus, those students have easy access to class, activities and services and develop a special bond as a group.

Zainah Bisharat and Sulafah Al Shami

Sulafah Al Shami, journalism junior
I focus on my studies better because I live on campus. I could use the library until late at night and not worry about getting home.The way the dorms are designed gives a friendly and homely atmosphere. My favorite spot in my room is my desk. It’s really big, and I eat and study there. The common lounge is very welcoming, and there is a lot of privacy.
However, the weather is unpredictable and can be cold at night.

Najib Yang, Arabic Language Institute
I like the programs put on by the residential life staff, and the cleaning service is very efficient. It’s nice being close to classes and having clean
air around me.

   Simone Rutkowitz study-abroad student
   I enjoy living in the apartments in the new    dorms.The single rooms are very spacious.    It is great to have a kitchenette in the    apartment.The architecture of the    dormitories is conducive to communal    living. The house keeping staff is very    responsible, and the staff is also always on    hand to fix any problem
   that may develop. Unfortunately, the food    options on campus are very limited.

Rabee Kotob, mechanical engineering junior
We live like a family, organizing activities, watching a movie, and eating and cooking together. Sometimes, we make pancakes in the morning. Life is much easier having my “home” on campus. If I forget an assignment, I could come back and get it. Between classes, I could take a shower, grab the laptop from my room or go to
the gym. My room is especially nice because of the view of the food court.

   Amira Hassanein ’09, computer science    major

   I don’t have to worry about getting to
   class. I have made a lot of new friends
   because I hang out a lot at the communal
   lobby.There, everyone goes to have fun,
   playing PlayStation or air hockey, or
   watching movies. Unlike the Zamalek
   dorms, these dorms make people come
   together more. I also like the place itself
   because of the calm atmosphere; I am
   able to have peaceful time on my own.
   We’re so far from downtown, but there
   are always the buses.

Mostafa Atef, chemistry senior

I usually work in the backyard and courtyards, and it’s very convenient being only five minutes from class.The
dorms here are better and nicer than the ones in the Zamalek, which seemed more like a hotel. I love to be able
to run in the morning and work out in the gym.The only disadvantage is that the area around us will take some
time to develop.

By Jeffrey Bellis and Sarah Topol
Photos by Ahmad El-Nemr