A Home Away from Home

When should a designer follow the brief and when should they challenge it? Prof. Philip Shiel gets into creative burnout, design ethics, AI and what it means to be a young creative today. Expect some honest takes on the design world, a glimpse into life on the other side of the classroom and a few jokes at the students' expense. Turns out, design class isn't always just about design!

In this episode, we sit down with Bashaar Irfan Naik, a Computer Engineering sophomore at AUS whose work in AI and hackathons has been featured in national news in both the UAE and India. He takes us back to where it all started: a curious student teaching tech to others through his own YouTube channel, before coding was even part of the picture. We trace how the generative AI boom pulled him deeper into the field, his first step into the world of hackathons, and the solo competitions that taught him what he needed for his first team win. He walks us through the problems he's tackled at competitions like GITEX, and why he believes coding is only a small part of tech, with leadership and explaining your idea simply mattering just as much. Along the way, he shares hard-earned advice and a few quotes that kept him going. Tune in to find out more!

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.