Study Abroad in Lebanon: 5 Unexpected Benefits to Consider

If you feel called on to step out of the standard study abroad matrix and into a country with 7,000 years of history, then you’re in for the experience of a lifetime. Study abroad in Lebanon to find the gateway to unexpected benefits!

Studying abroad in Beirut will be a time of monumental growth.

Under the umbrella of embracing spontaneity and being fully present, you will advance your intercultural proficiency by incorporating diverse and multiple perspectives; you will deepen your understanding of the region through engagement and immersion; and you will develop a clearer and stronger sense of self through inquiry and the exploration of personal limits.

Studying abroad in Lebanon is a way to notice our own patterns or ways of seeing; an opportunity for deeper self-awareness. It’s a way to investigate your own culture in a light you didn’t know existed before.

It’s a gut check for taking a good, close look at how stories are being told and what angles of history you haven't been aware of until you’re living where they actually took place.

Why study abroad in Lebanon?

The curious students who study in Lebanon undergo something beyond adaptation, rather, a mind-altering encounter that precludes them from ever perceiving things the same way again.

Approximately 325,000 students who attend U.S. institutions study abroad each year. Since 2012, a steady 2% of these students study abroad in the Middle East and North Africa. These students head to Lebanon, Morocco, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, and Tunisia.

There are barriers to studying abroad in Lebanon, including the U.S. State Department Travel Advisory, and misconceptions and gaps in knowledge about the region and culture. While the benefits of a study abroad in Lebanon experience are obvious to this small group, they largely remain unknown to the broader college population.

Here’s to removing the shroud of mystery behind the unexpected benefits of studying abroad in Lebanon.

Is Beirut safe to visit? 

Before we get to the benefits, let’s address the issue of safety. While safety concerns are common, reasonable, and expected, and while no travel is free from risk (life isn’t free of risk!), following simple travel guidelines and precautions will equip you with resources to have a safe, exciting, and healthy experience in Lebanon. 

Not only is Beirut safe for students — it’s gorgeous!

The bottom line in Beirut, the country’s capital, is to take the same precautions you would in any other city, and make informed decisions that work for you. Further, If you’re heading into the countryside, it’s not a bad idea to follow the common rules in hiking; have a buddy system, let people know where you’ll be, be friendly to other hikers, leave no trace, be aware of trail conditions and your surroundings, and take time to listen.

Related: 5 Surprises About Life in Beirut for International Students

5 benefits of study abroad in Lebanon

1. You will make friends from all over the world

There’s a reason Lebanon is a world class destination for students; from Côte D'Ivoire to Australia, from Denmark to Spain, from Bangladesh to the United States — you could throw a dart at a map of the world, and chances are it will land on a country that is represented in Lebanon.

Students have the opportunity to make friends with classmates and sojourners from all parts of the world in an environment that emphasizes family, friendship, and presence, and where deep, meaningful relationships occur organically. Spontaneity and fast friendships are part of the culture, making the country a place that quickly feels like home for those who spend time there.

Just as with any transition, there are new patterns to get used to, but there's something extra special about Lebanon — a warmth, sense of community, and an opportunity to see civic activism alive and well. It has a small town feel in that wherever you go, you can expect to see someone you know.

2. You’ll gain perspective in multiple contexts

During the fall 2019 semester, schools across Lebanon closed for a total of 10 days in response to political and economic circumstances. Schools in Lebanon, including the American University of Beirut, University of Saint Joseph, and Lebanese American University, prioritize the safety of the community and its commitment to its educational goals and obligations.

During the brief closure, many schools cultivated an environment of flexibility and accommodation by relocating classes, incorporating online learning, staying in close communication via WhatsApp, and working with students who adapted their projects to respond to needs on the ground.

Rudy, a sophomore from Syria majoring in math at AUB, contemplated the differences between the two countries in spite of their proximity. She noted the many obstacles to education in the world, including poverty, gender disparity, conflict, and non-compulsory education.

Due to the devastation and uncertainty in Syria in the past decade, schools did not always have back up plans in case of emergency. The aspiring doctor said, “AUB finished what they promised to finish. For me this is a great benefit, that AUB promised me something and they were loyal and kept their promise.”

Expect to have your horizons broadened when studying abroad in Lebanon, or the Middle East at large.

3. You’ll unpack assumptions and decide for yourself

Aya Atto, a business administration major from Cote D’Ivoire, explains that being in Lebanon helped her see things from a different angle: “Most people tend to have preconceived ideas about the Middle East. When I told my friends about my plans to study in Lebanon, they were worried. Despite being pretty open minded, I also had some apprehensions about racism. Here I found a lot of friendly Lebanese people, inside and outside of the university. My perspective changed because I learned not to make assumptions about people’s attitudes.”

Racism is in every country around the world, and it must be addressed head on. Lebanon is making strides through events such as the Anti-Racism Movement, which is dedicated to creating a paradigm shift through strong advocacy and collaboration with educational institutions and media.

When you study abroad in Lebanon, you’ll find many schools addressing the educational gaps of racial inequality and inequity by integrating inclusive excellence. For example, the American University of Beirut does so through its Leadership, Equity, and Diversity (LEAD) program, which serves as a model of ethnic, social, economic, and cultural diversity and inclusion.

Aya adds that having never been to an Arab country before, she was surprised to learn that Lebanon shares values with Cote D’Ivoire — a strong sense of community, family, and friendship. “Appreciating the world from these new perspectives is part of my construction of self. Anyone who aims to broaden their horizons should take the risk and consider studying abroad in this dear Lebanon.”

Your study abroad experience will be absolutely full of adventure.

4. You will learn what it means to adapt

Lines are going to be different, and time will have a whole new meaning. You will be offered more coffee and food than is imaginable (just say yes). You will be asked many questions, as it’s common to want to get to know a person quickly. Direct and sustained eye contact is part of the culture in the way that it is NOT part of New York City culture, for instance.

If you’re coming from a country of strict rules and regulations, be prepared to learn how to adapt to the unexpected and inexplicable. Look to this time as a way to explore where you feel ease and, accordingly, where you feel resistance. What responses are yours, and what responses have been conditioned?

You can even explore your own biases; identifying them will allow you to catch yourself and suspend judgment on situations outside of your realm of understanding. Cultivating this kind of flexibility is key to advancing your cultural competence.

5. You'll have an overall great time

It’s impossible to be bored in Lebanon. There are infinite possibilities for having a good time! There are 18 religious sects, 19 official holidays, a loyal diaspora about 3 times larger than the in-country population, and, if you like, you can swim in the sea in the morning and ski on Mt. Lebanon (the tallest mountain in the Middle East) in the afternoon.

Lebanon is sunny most of the year, and you will never tire of the food. It’s common to meet Lebanese who speak Arabic, French, and English, and the culture of spontaneity allows you to traverse a vibrant and complex city through the lens of experience and context; a perspective decidedly less publicized than the fear, conflict, and threats shown in movies about the region. 

Don’t hesitate to study abroad in the Middle East!

Above all else, enjoy your time and make the most of every moment in Lebanon.

The opportunity awaits to study abroad in Lebanon and experience this country to its fullest potential. But first, define what that looks like for you, because all students should make informed decisions that are in their best interests and that align with personal comfort and safety. Take your discernment process further by seeking out those who have gone before, and prepare to soak up the benefits of the eye-opening, astounding country that is Lebanon.

Browse ALL Opportunities to Study Abroad in Lebanon on GoAbroad.com

This article was written with help from the American University of Beirut. AUB is an extraordinary education, health, and research institution that is also serving to aid refugee populations within Lebanon. Beirut’s greenest space is highly diverse, multicultural, and its boundaries are a haven for students who are encouraged to think critically and express their individuality, as well as embrace civic duty.