AUB Mediterraneo

A Student-Eye View

2024 Issue No. 2

“Life here unfolds at a more relaxed pace,” says Iakovos Ioannou, a computer science student at the American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo (AUB Mediterraneo) in Pafos, Cyprus, who is part of the inaugural cohort of students who kicked off their first year at the university in September 2023. Ioannou loves the vibrant town of Pafos on the coast of the Mediterranean that holds numerous archaeological sites and beautiful beaches.

University location can have a profound impact on the course of a student’s academic and personal journey. Sajed Abdallah, who is pursuing a BS in industrial engineering, says that Pafos “is the perfect place for people who want a simple life.” Students at AUB Mediterraneo find that Pafos is not only “a great place to live,” as Aya El Saoudi, who is pursuing an MS in business analytics puts it, but also an easy and fun place to explore because of the town’s flat terrain. She says, “Everyone is exceptionally friendly and welcoming, creating a strong sense of belonging.”

Housing also plays a major role in a successful student experience. Mitchelle Ogheneserome Amarie, who is pursuing a BBA in management, raves about the dorms that she describes as top-notch in terms of design, outdoor gardens, and communal areas. She is also enjoying the diversity of AUB Mediterraneo: “Diversity is the one true thing we all have in common. It has made me feel like a fully recognized and respected proponent of my own unique heritage which is where my strength lies. I for one can say that it is a very studentinclined school with state-of-the-art facilities. . . . My experience so far has been second to none!”

In terms of activities, students at AUB Mediterraneo are enjoying extracurricular activities that they find culturally enriching. Zain Ababneh, studying philosophy, politics, and economics (PPE), enjoys the many activities organized by the university such as “visiting villages, going on hikes, and being part of local communities.” Zain also appreciates the supportive community at AUB Mediterraneo. She explains that the university “truly feels like a home away from home” thanks to her friends, colleagues, professors, and deans— the people she sees almost every day.

As a twin campus of the globally recognized American University of Beirut, AUB Mediterraneo attracts students from different parts of the world seeking an American liberal arts education that prioritizes freedom of expression and offers academic programs that require students to take general education courses outside their major.

Bridging cultures in the coastal city of Pafos in Cyprus, AUB Mediterraneo promises a vibrant, adventurous, diverse, and secure student life and globally recognized degrees, all in a safe and flourishing environment.