American University of Kuwait Intern Program

AUK, a private liberal arts university in Kuwait, accepted its first class in September 2004. It is dedicated to creating a dynamic and stimulating learning community based on the exploration and exchange of knowledge and ideas in an environment enhanced by cultural and intellectual diversity. AUK offers students an American-style liberal arts education geared to prepare them for careers in the private and public sectors, instilling a sense of moral responsibility and a devotion to the values of knowledge and humanity. Since September 2004, Dartmouth College and AUK have had an institutional agreement intended to enhance  the development of both institutions. For more information on AUK, including the cooperative agreement with Dartmouth, please visit the AUK website.

How to Apply

In addition to completing a cover sheet, downloadable here, applicants must submit:

• A two-page, double-spaced essay indicating the relevance of this internship to their academic, intellectual, career, and personal goals;
• An up-to-date official transcript; and
• Two letters of recommendation from faculty members familiar with the applicant's academic work and interests (download reference forms here).  Referees may be directed to this website for information about the internship.

Completed applications must be submitted to the AUK Intern Program, HB 6047, or delivered by hand to the administrative office of the Department of Anthropology, 408 Silsby.

The Selection Process

A selection committee of three Dartmouth faculty members and staff appointed by the American University of Kuwait screens applications, interviews finalists, and announces results by the end of the Winter term.

The selection committee will give preference to the applicant who has taken course work related to the Middle East or who in other ways demonstrate a sustained interest in the Middle East or in international education, and indicate how the internship will enhance academic, career, and personal goals. The committee will also take AUK institutional priorities into account. Successful applicants must return to Dartmouth for at least one quarter after the internship period, prepare a short report on the internship experience that will be made available to later participants, and participate in the recruitment of subsequent fellows.

Internship Terms

Interns receive an allowance of $1,600 toward the cost of travel to/from Kuwait. Since AUK is not currently a residential university, interns will be housed in an off-campus apartment provided by AUK. Each intern will also receive a meals and incidentals allowance of $1,600 for ten weeks, and will have access to campus dining facilities. $1,100 of this amount is payable before the beginning of the internship term. The final $500 is paid on submission and approval of two newsletter installments. The first must be submitted before the end of the fourth week of the internship, and the second and final installment must be submitted no later than 20 days after the end of the internship. This program is only open to currently enrolled Dartmouth undergraduates. For questions and further information, please contact AUKuwait@Dartmouth.edu.

Useful Links

Here are some links to help you get a sense of Kuwait.

First, if you haven't yet, look at AUK's website. The answers to many of your questions are likely to be found there.

The UN's Arab Human Development Report suggests the important role that a liberal arts education can play in the Arabian Peninsula and the Middle East today.

For local news on Kuwait, visit The Kuwait Times. The Arab Times and Lebanon's Daily Star are also popular English-language newspapers in Kuwait.

Based in Washington, DC, the Kuwait Information Office's website provides information for Americans concerning the history, politics, and tourist attractions of Kuwait.

The Kuwait Mission to the United Nations also has information related to Kuwaiti society and culture.

The websites of the  British and American embassies in Kuwait also contain useful information, as does the website of The Gulf 2000 Project at Columbia University.