Embracing cultures: AUS Sharakah Festival connects UAE schools

The American University of Sharjah (AUS) campus celebrated recently the Sharakah Cultural Festival, a rich tapestry of music, visual arts, culinary delights and more, providing 250 students from 10 schools from around the UAE with an immersive experience into the many cultures that comprise the AUS community.

Organized by the AUS Sharakah Program in the Office of Enrollment Management, the celebration featured exhibitions by the diverse cultural clubs at AUS, along with a miniature global village where school students showcased pre-assigned posters representing over 15 countries. Each student group, some of whom donned their own national attire, was given a chance to deliver a five-minute presentation, encompassing details such as population size, area, traditional cuisine, geographical features, traditional clothing, prominent landmarks, weather, the country's renowned aspects and motivations for visiting.

Participating school students also enjoyed a rich buffet where they sampled mouth-watering dishes from different corners of the globe, and cultural performances by the AUS Emirati Cultural Club.

The festival incorporated interactive elements to engage students in a fun and educational manner. Interactive games such as "Guess the Flag" and "The Map Game," hosted by the AUS International Exchange Office, encouraged students to test their knowledge of global geography and culture in an enjoyable setting. These activities not only reinforced learning but also promoted a sense of camaraderie and friendly competition among participants.

“We believe in engaging students at the school level because it is important to spark curiosity and interest in higher education. The Sharakah Cultural Festival is one of many activities we organize that introduce students to the university environment and activities, and help them explore different fields of study and gain insights into academic pursuits beyond their school curriculum,” said Hala Al-Jundi, Sharakah Program Officer at AUS.

She added: “Engaging students in campus activities fosters the development of essential skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving and leadership, which are crucial for academic success and future careers. Furthermore, collaboration between universities and schools strengthens community bonds and promotes diversity and inclusion by facilitating interaction among students from various backgrounds.”

The Sharakah Program offers a wide variety of activities for high school students and teachers from partner schools. The program also helps high school students get ready for placement tests through

the study skills workshops and offers training programs that support teachers in their professional development. For more information on the Sharkah program and the opportunities it offers partner schools, visit www.aus.edu/sharakah.