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What is exchange really like, and what should students know before taking the leap? In this episode of Tea with Gen Z, we sit down with the International Exchange Office and a fourth year exchange student from the United States to discuss the realities of exchange at AUS. From navigating the application process and adjusting to a new culture to making friends and managing the unexpected, we explore both the student experience and the support available through IXO. Whether you're considering exchange or simply curious about life at AUS from a different perspective, this episode offers an honest look at what the experience involves.

In this episode, we sit down with Asiya Aleeva to talk about putting yourself out there, creating your own opportunities and trying different things even when you don’t feel ready. Diving into how sometimes, confidence only comes after you take the first step.

In this episode, we sit down with Sultan Ashour, AUS's Student Council Vice President, to trace his path from a first-year student stepping out of an Arabic-medium school into an entirely new academic world, to leading student government as a senior. He walks us through the extracurriculars that shaped him, what election season actually demanded of him, and the parts of the job students never get to see. We get into the regrets he carries from second and third year, what he'd tell a first-year student making the same transition he did, and the moment AUS finally started to feel like his. We close with a rapid fire round that brings out a side of him you won't catch on the campaign trail. Tune in to find out more!

In this episode, we sit down with AUS senior Shwetambari Abhirajan to unpack her evolution from starting off as a curious yet confused middle schooler still searching for her identity to becoming the successful and ambitious young woman she is today. She reveals what it was really like, working in a big corporation, the challenges she was faced with and the means taken to reap the benefits of the experience. We also discuss the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone, meeting new people, what financial independence means for a woman in this economic climate. Tune in to find out more!

In this episode, Zyad shares his approach to making the most of university by simply saying yes more often. From starting conversations with strangers and showing up to events outside your usual circle, to taking opportunities without overthinking them, Zyad explains how small decisions to participate can compound into meaningful experiences, connections and opportunities. The conversation is about being open, present and willing to try things, without letting university become your entire life.

In this episode of Tea With Gen Z, we dive into what it really means to nourish the soul in a world that feels fast, loud, and overwhelming. Joined by Mr. Shahid Bux, we explore the connection between mental health and spirituality, the challenges Gen Z faces today, and why inner peace can feel so hard to access. From dealing with constant distractions to learning how to sit with stillness, this conversation is all about slowing down, reflecting, and reconnecting with yourself. Tune in for a thoughtful, honest discussion on finding balance, meaning, and calm in everyday life.

Ramadan can feel very different depending on where — and with whom — you’re celebrating. 🌙 In this episode, we’re joined by Ameena Al-Attas to talk about finding your own community and creating a home away from home during Ramadan. We share Ramadan and Eid traditions, and reflect on how the experience changes when you’re celebrating with family versus the community you’ve built at AUS. From familiar rituals to new shared moments, we explore the different kinds of joy that come with both.

في هذه الحلقة من Tea with Gen Z نستضيف عبدالرحمن توفيق، عازف عود وشاعر وطالب سنة أولى في الجامعة الأمريكية في الشارقة. نتحدّث عن تجربته مع Arabic Music Ensemble، حصوله على أعلى علامة في العالم في Pearson Edexcel International AS Arabic، ورؤيته للهوية الثقافية بين العود، الشعر، والجيل الجديد. حلقة عن الشغف، التميّز، وكيف يحافظ الإنسان على هويته بروح معاصرة — خاصة مع بداية الحياة الجامعية واقتراب رمضان. In this episode of Tea with Gen Z, we sit down with Abdulrahman Tawfiq — lute player, poet, and freshman at the American University of Sharjah. We talk about performing with the Arabic Music Ensemble, achieving the highest mark worldwide in Pearson Edexcel International AS Arabic, and navigating passion, culture, and identity as a Gen Z student. An episode about excellence, creativity, and staying true to who you are — especially during your first year of university and with Ramadan around the corner.

In this Ramadan special of Tea with GenZ, host Mahra Alshamsi sits down with Mohammed Alghazali, the Student Council’s Emirati Representative, a content creator, and an aspiring triathlete, to talk about discipline, productivity, and work-life balance during the holy month. From fasting while training to managing academics and leadership responsibilities, Mohammed shares how he stays consistent, grounded, and motivated. This episode explores building strong habits, protecting your energy, and showing up with purpose, even when your schedule is full.

In this episode, we spotlight MedHack, an organization dedicated to bridging the gap between medicine and innovation. AUS student Jurie joins us to discuss a critical challenge within the vast field of healthcare: groundbreaking ideas often remain untapped due to the disconnect between medical insight and technological development. To address this, MedHack is bringing one of its largest initiatives yet to AUS on March 28, MedEngineers. This hackathon-style competition unites students from medicine and engineering to collaborate, design functional prototypes, and pitch their solutions to potential investors. By fostering interdisciplinary teamwork, MedEngineers aims to turn innovative ideas into impactful healthcare solutions.

When did we start getting older, and who decided there was a deadline for life milestones? In this episode, we reflect on age, mindset, and the pressure society places on young adults to have everything figured out in their twenties. From expectations around marriage and children to reflections on personal growth, the conversation explores how maturity and mindsets do not have strict timelines, but evolve differently for each person and across generations. A thoughtful discussion on what it really means to grow, discussing the factors that influence it, such as self-awareness, frontal lobe development, and generational differences.

In this episode, we sit down with the owners of Soul Cafe—an AUS student, Ahmad Yaqoob, and alumni, Mohammed Yaqoob, duo —to uncover the journey behind one of campus’s most soulful spots. From the first spark of an idea to the final product you know and love today, we dive into the highs, hurdles, and heart that shaped the café. We also unpack the deeper meaning behind the name Soul Cafe and how identity, culture, and community are brewed into everything they do.

This episode digs into men’s mental health with the Mental Health Association (MHA) representative, Hamza, and counsellor Toubia Farah. We unpack toxic masculinity, society’s expectations, and why men are often silenced when expressing their struggles. A real conversation about stigma, vulnerability, and giving men the space to feel and heal.

In this episode of Tea With Gen Z, we sit down with Dr. Aqeel Taher, a long-serving AUS faculty member. We discuss the strengths and challenges of Gen Z engineering students, touching on ethics, learning styles, and the evolving academic landscape. The conversation concludes with Dr. Aqeel’s perspective on AI, its ethical use, and his advice for the next generation of engineers.

In this episode of Tea with Gen Z, new host Tira and creative director Oussama Jamal examine the rising cycle of overconsumption shaping Gen Z. They explore the rapid spread of microtrends, the growing influence of de-influencing, and the impact of fast fashion—all accelerated during the COVID-19 era. Through focused questions and clear insights, the conversation uncovers how trends move faster than ever and why this pace affects identity, sustainability, and personal choice. The episode concludes with a call for more mindful, intentional consumption.