Ripped from the Wall: Investigating IAP

An exploration of AU’s International Accelerator Program

Helena Milburn, Blake Guterman, Grace Manson, Zoe Kallenekos, Marisa Álvarez, Alexandrea Valerio, Sia Patel, Sofia Borin, and Stella Camerlengo

November 28, 2023

This semester, the Ripped from the Wall podcast team analyzed American University’s International Accelerator Program or IAP. The team looked into whether and how the program helps to support first-year international students and whether international students in the program have equal access to campus services during their first year at AU. The IAP students we interviewed also talked about off-campus life, the quality of their housing accommodations and access to transportation.

The IAP is a non-degree program for international students who lack the required English proficiency to be admissible to degree programs at AU, according to the program’s website. Since the program started, it has consisted of the Extended Accelerator track, a four-term program, and the Academic Accelerator track, a three-term program.

Students in the IAP program live in the Park Crest apartment complex located in Glover Park, over a mile away from the AU campus. Some IAP students said they dislike the location of their housing and
the lack of an AU shuttle bus or convenient WMATA options between the apartments and campus.

Mackenzie Hale is a former tutor and supplemental instructor for IAP who currently works as a Resident Assistant for IAP. Hale said that before 2020, IAP students were housed in the Berkshire Apartments, a complex much closer to campus, but problems with pests, rodents and management prompted the switch to Park Crest. However, current IAP students say that bugs are also a problem in the Park Crest apartments.

Selma Nour Mallem was an IAP student in 2020 and is currently a tutor working for the program. Mallem was raised in Algeria, where she studied French and Arabic. Mallem said she enjoyed her time in IAP.

“So AIP was more convenient as a prep for me to be 100% prepared to be in AU,” Mallem said.

To hear the whole story, be on the lookout for the new episode of Ripped from the Wall on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other podcast platforms.

About the Contributors

Helena Milburn, Podcast Director

Helena Milburn (she/her) is a senior majoring in journalism and minoring in political science. Milburn grew up in New York City with her parents, younger sister, and dog named Einstein. She has been a part of AWOL since her freshman year. Though she has also written for AWOL, the podcast is what drew her to AWOL her freshmen year. Milburn is happy to be able to lead the podcast this semester to help others have the community and experience it gave her.

Blake Guterman, Podcast Producer

Blake Guterman (He/Him) is a senior with a Journalism Major and Psychology Minor. He loves to read, write, cook, exercise, hike, listen to music and socialize with friends. He also takes pride in his love of Spongebob Squarepants, Family Guy, Totally Spies, and Coldplay.

Grace Manson, Podcast Staff

Grace Manson (she/her) is a junior from Virginia studying CLEG. Manson has a hound named Greta Gertrude II, and she is on the debate team and equestrian club. Manson is trying to learn Spanish and can kinda play guitar, piano, and ukulele (source: trust me bro). She loves Broadway and comedy and is always looking for new shows to get into (shameless Beetlejuice plug). If Manson had to narrow it down, she'd say she really enjoys investigative journalism and pop culture, though her journalistic interests are all over the place. Fun fact about Manson: when she was 9, she was roped into taking professional yodeling lessons. Oh, the days of musical theatre...

Zoe Kallenekos, Staff Editor

Zoe Kallenekos (She/Her) is a senior studying journalism. Kallenekos loves all things music and dreams of working in radio or podcasting, being a music journalist, writing a book, traveling the West Coast and befriending many more cats than she already has.

Sofia Borin, Staff Writer

Sofia Borin (She/Her) is a sophomore pursuing a journalism major. She enjoys reading, cooking for her roommates and going on hikes.

Stella Camerlengo, Staff Editor

Stella Camerlengo (she/her) is a sophomore pursuing a degree in Political Science with a minor in International Studies. She got herself involved in AWOL early on in her freshman year, and it quickly became an extracurricular she adores. From writing stories to editing them, she's found purpose in amplifying the voices of AU and DC at-large. In her free time, Stella figure skates, loves politics, and drinks an alarming amount of iced lavender lattes at the Bridge and the Dav.