One of the hallmarks of the undergraduate curriculum at NYU Abu Dhabi, J-Term courses offer a unique and transformative learning experience between academic terms. As part of the requirements for graduation, students enroll full-time in one J-term course each year.  Conducted over the course of approximately three weeks, the J-Term curriculum is designed to intensify the student's focus and reach beyond the classroom to incorporate experiential learning, often connecting students to the city and region where they are studying. By integrating intellectual and experiential learning, taking a single J-Term course allows more time for concentrated reflection on a dedicated topic than is possible during the semester when students must split their time between several courses. The immersive character intensity of the shared experience encourages students to cement strong bonds with their classmates and faculty. 

J-Term Across the Global Network

The J-Term program takes full advantage of the opportunities presented by NYU's global network university (GNU), offering signature courses at sites around the world each year. Intellectually linked to their locations, the courses take advantage of local resources, explore the history, culture, economy, and society of the host cities, and involve co-curricular visits. In 2012-13, NYUAD students may choose from courses in Abu Dhabi, Accra, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Florence, London, Madrid, New York, Shanghai, and Sydney.

Global network courses will illuminate the interdependence of local knowledge and global awareness, and mobilize NYU's global network to foster cross-cultural research and insights into complex, global issues. Some J-Term courses will be taught over time at multiple sites in order to consider global issues in a specific location and context. For example, Professor Volk taught State and Fate of Earth in Abu Dhabi in January 2011, and Shanghai in January 2012. Longitudinal research projects in conjunction with the global network courses allow students to contribute local data and perspectives to a long-term comparative study.

J-Term courses are taught by renowned scholars, writers, artists, journalists, and policy analysts as well as distinguished professors from NYUNY and NYUAD.  Additionally, they are distinguished by a wealth of pre-professional courses taught by faculty from NYU's professional schools such as the NYU School of Law, the Silver School of Social Work, the Stern School of Business, and the Tisch School of the Arts.

First-year students are required to take a course in January. Upper-class students who cannot take a January course due to a calendar conflict with the start of their approved study abroad spring semester program will take a three-week NYUAD immersive J-term course in May/June of the same academic year.

Two J-Terms may be taken away from Abu Dhabi. Questions about J-Term should be directed to the Office of Global Education, which coordinates the program.