#firstbridge

If you come to AUP as a degree seeking undergraduate student (excluding transfers), then you will have the pleasure of taking a FirstBridge! You might be wondering, as I was a couple days ago, what exactly a FirstBridge is. Here's a basic run down :)

FirstBridge is just that, it's a bridge between two subjects that are not commonly seen side by side to present ideas to students in a new, intriguing manner. For example, my FirstBridge is taught jointly by a Comparative Literature teacher and a Computer Science one. 

How does it work, exactly?

Each FirstBridge has a theme. Mine's theme is Science Fiction Journeys. In the Comp Lit. section, we read books relating to robots, artificial intelligence, and what it means to be alive and human. In the CompSci section, we build robots and learn their language (programming!). Then, we meet once a week with both teachers for a reflective seminar. 

The FirstBridge classes change from semester to semester, but they acquaint new Freshmen with AUP, the American university system, and college level courses. FirstBridge is also great for meeting peers! A lot of AUP students are visiting for a semester or a year. In the FirstBridge courses, students are given the opportunity to meet each other, get involved in the socratic seminar style of a small, private American institution, and make lasting friends who will be with them from start to finish.