From internships to study abroad, Perihan Elsheikh's time at AUC is preparing her for a future in human rights law.
For students like Perihan Elsheikh, a political science major who came to AUC with an end-goal in mind, the journey is where the magic happens. As an undergraduate, Elsheikh has been involved in 10 student organizations, landed three internships and explored 12 countries on exchange — and she’s not done yet.
“My long-term goal is to open my own NGO dedicated to helping women and children in Egypt, especially those escaping domestic violence,” says Elsheikh, who has dreamed of having a positive impact on others and contributing to society since she was a child.
At the same time, Elsheikh is interested in international law and the global frameworks used to deal with human rights issues. After she graduates in Fall 2025, Elsheikh will begin her master’s in international human rights law, a program she has been interested in pursuing since she was first accepted to AUC.
Since Elsheikh already knows her career aspirations and master’s plan, what makes her time at AUC so special? The answer lies in her journey, from cocurricular experiences to global travel to high-caliber internships.
"My favorite personality will always be the Pery I met abroad because I realized I was capable of more than I thought."
Clubs, Clubs, Clubs
Elsheikh has been involved in student clubs since the start of her freshman year, when she signed up to join seven organizations. Between the Political Science Students’ Association, Volunteers in Action (VIA), Mashroo3 Kheir, Theater and Film Club (TFC) and Student Union Explore, Elsheikh has gained diverse experiences that she credits for making her the person she is today.
With Mashroo3 Kheir’s Make-A-Wish committee, Elsheikh visited cancer institutes and talked to child cancer patients. “I left every single visit with a different approach to life,” she says.
“TFC also helped me develop communications skills and perform in front of huge audiences,” adds Elsheikh, who prides herself on her public speaking skills.
Perihan in Paris
In her junior year, the young humanitarian had the adventure of a lifetime on an exchange semester in Paris, where she learned European theories and perspectives from the second best political science school in the world — a welcome complement to the Middle Eastern perspective she had gained at AUC.
“My favorite personality will always be the Pery I met abroad because I realized I was capable of more than I thought,” Elsheikh says.
“My favorite personality will always be the Pery I met abroad because I realized I was capable of more than I thought."
Defying her own expectations, Elsheikh experienced self-reliance and even came to enjoy her alone time, which she spent walking along the Seine and exploring museums. She also planned her own travels, visiting 11 other countries while abroad. Meanwhile, Elsheikh studied and practiced French in its country of origin, fulfilling a dream that dates back to her self-study of French back in 2020.
Studying the Global South from a European stance also revealed Elsheikh’s desire to remain local in her work. Now, she seeks to contribute to her country and help underrepresented Egyptians speak up about their struggles. “I want to learn more about how Egyptians in cities beyond Cairo live on a daily basis and what they suffer from,” she says.
Nine-to-Five Discoveries
Her adventurous trajectory doesn’t end there. In addition to working as a political science teaching assistant at AUC, Elsheikh has completed three internships that have taken her across sectors to explore different areas of human rights and international law — from working at a public policy and business lobbying firm, N Gage Consulting, to the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development’s Human Rights Unit. “At the ministry, I learned about how Egypt is planning to promote human development, provide education and alleviate poverty under Vision 2030,” she says.
To those seeking a liberal arts education at AUC, the journey beats the destination — and for ambitious students like Elsheikh, the path can shape the course of a career, even when the destination is already figured out.