The American University in Cairo (AUC) is an independent, non-profit, apolitical, secular institution of higher learning located in Cairo, Egypt. The university’s mission is to provide an American liberal arts education to students from all socio-economic backgrounds in Egypt and other nations around the world, and to make substantial contributions to Egypt's intellectual life and culture. The university offers American-style education at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels, and it provides an extensive continuing education program. The university promotes the ideals of American education, professional education, and lifelong learning. The AUC student body represents over 100 countries and includes over 300 North American study abroad students. AUC's faculty members, adjunct teaching staff and visiting lecturers are internationally diverse as well and include academics, business professionals, diplomats, journalists, writers and others from the United States, Egypt and other countries.