Alumni Interview with Davy-Kim Lascombes

What inspired you to pursue a semester abroad?

While obtaining my master’s degree in Geneva, I had the opportunity to do a one semester exchange in a foreign university. After having a great undergraduate exchange experience at Boston University (BU), I wanted to have another one. Boston was truly amazing, and BU had so much to offer on-campus and off-campus. The cultural scene is great; from the fine arts museum to symphonic orchestra as well as the long history of this city.

The whole experience, living on campus in an American University, was very surprising. I have to admit that sometimes I was feeling like an American TV series or like I was in a movie. It helped me to develop my language and adaptation skills, and it facilitated a deeper understanding of the subtleties of the American political system and its culture.

At BU, I developed strong friendships mainly with other exchange students rather than with the local people (which was the reverse in Lebanon). I built a strong European network. We still gather every year just to have some pleasant time together and to remember the good old times. Istanbul, Madrid, Amsterdam, and Geneva are our new meeting points, so it’s fun to know that my desire to go to Lebanon was born there in Boston after talking long hours with AUB’s exchange students.

Why did you choose AUB?

The Middle East has always been a topic of interest for me. I’ve always tried to understand why the politics and international relations over there looked so complicated. I wanted to compare my European point of view with an on-the- ground experience. It was definitely fruitful. Furthermore, my AUB friends from BU are the best AUB advertisement I have ever heard. We mainly talked about the beauty and facilities of the campus but also the craziness of Beirut. It has a huge impact on my opinion about this place in the world. What finally convinced me is the politics. When I talked politics with these guys, it was always full of passion and complexities, which were much different from anything I knew. And because I developed strong ties with my AUB/BU friends, I was confident that I would build new friendships in Beirut.

What is your definition of the Beirut way of life?

I have to admit it is quite hard to answer this question without being orientalist but let’s try it. I would say, the Beirut way of life is the incarnation of the expression “YOLO” and “work hard, party harder”. On one hand you have highly motivated and competitive students and people who have very high ambition and expectations. On the other hand, socializing is part of the success road. So you work hard to succeed but you party on the weekends. Many of us, exchange and locals, would consider Beirut as chaotic but we can also consider it full of energy. We don’t plan, we just do. “Let’s go to Baalbeck tomorrow,” “What about a camping night near Batroun,” “Let’s party at the decks” etc. The bottom line is that the Beirut way of life is a game changer. Every second invested is worth it.

What made your experience abroad unique?

It was unique because I had classes directly related to what I was observing, and because I was able to confront my stereotypes on the ground. Besides this academic aspect I particularly enjoyed my free time with my Lebanese and foreign friends.

You studied politics and electoral behavior. What did you observe about politics and electoral behavior in Lebanon?

Electoral behaviors is a fascinating academic field mixing approaches of sociology, psychology and political science. So for the electoral behavior, I had the opportunity to be in Beirut during the municipal elections, and observe the rise of the Beirut Madinati party. It was an interesting moment where the only party that wanted to end the old sectarian political system had a strong popular support. I found that I was surprised by the mixed feelings of my friends about this new waves of political action. They were mixed between hope and resignation. On one hand, the exit solution is in everybody's mind: Lebanon is hopeless, should I leave? But the attachment and the desire to make Lebanon a better place is in the heart of everyone too.

Why did this surprise you?

It surprised me for two reasons. First, the combination of those feelings, hope and resignation, is somehow something I have never experienced myself. Secondly, in my academic research, the out option is something we do not study as it’s something more than marginal in western politics. Third, it highlighted how lucky I am as a person born with a good passport, because the exit option is far from being the easiest one.

What were your stereotypes? How did you confront them?

Let’s say that I did some generalizing. For example, I had a global understanding before coming of the role of religion and how much it affects and divides the people. But on the ground, I came to understand in which conditions sectarianism plays a role and in which it doesn’t. Living in Beirut helped to understand the complexities of it.

What did you learn about yourself this way?

I learned much about myself, and I started to be more humble. Before coming I was confident, and I was thinking that I had already a good knowledge of Lebanon. My experience taught me that I knew almost nothing and I still know so little about Beirut, Lebanon and the Middle East.

How did local staff support you throughout your program?

When I arrived in Beirut, (especially from a western country), I lost my usual reference points. The Office of International Programs (OIP) is really helpful with all the administration tasks but also in organizing social events. They really helped us to feel home in AUB and Beirut. They have a mentor system that helps international students build new ties and guiding students with basic tips to evolve in Beirut. In this way we felt more comfortable and more at home in Lebanon.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time?

Weekend trips in Lebanon are the best thing in the world. It is a small country but with many things to do, visit and experience. So many trips were amazing. Baalbeck is probably the most interesting thing to do as a tourist, and Sour is by far the prettiest city and best place to swim. Weekend trips in the south with my friend’s family was definitely the best way to rest but also to experience a “Jnoub” way of life; Batroun for swimming, Tripoli for a more Syrian style city... and so on. The list is quite long.

Can you talk more about the “jnoub” way of life?

Basically for me it means lazy days without city noise, homemade BBQ and family time, visiting a church in another valley, while still somehow being aware of the pressure on the southern border and the memory of the wars.

What advice do you have for prospective students?

Don't spend too much time with only foreigners, and don’t spend all your time at AUB. It is only one part of your abroad experience. If you spend too much time on campus you will see only a tiny picture of what Lebanon can offer you.

What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?

I was living in a shared apartment with Syrians and Lebanese people. I really like these moments where we were all in the living room on our couches discussing everything under the sun. We often talked about our families and lives; watched the television show Ramadan, (one of my flatmates is an actor, so we were actually watching him); talked about Syria and how Syrians ended up in Beirut; and about how we were imagining our future…

Now that you've graduated, how has your time abroad impacted your life?

It was less than one year ago but it definitely change my way of seeing the Middle East and Lebanon. I’ve developed a more nuanced way to see the Middle East and the social, cultural and political interactions. When I am reading the news, I realize how much it is simplified, and my experience helps to read between the lines. It also gave me a strategic advantage when I was looking for a job. But the main impact is probably the eternal link that I created with Lebanon and the Lebanese people. These are links of genuine friendship, I’ll probably stay friends with them for the rest of my life. I also have a strong affection for Beirut. When I was coming back from my trips in Iran, Cyprus or Jordan I always felt like returning to Beirut was coming back home.

Why do you think it is important to study in the Middle East?

Particularly for Westerners, it provides an interesting and different perspective from an occidental point of view. Sadly, many stories about the Middle East through the media stream depict violence, war, human rights violations, sectarianism, and intricate complex political situations. It tends to miss the whole point, they are human after all! So studying in the Middle East gives students the keys to decode the news but also to understand the human and cultural side of Middle East.

Would you recommend AUB to others? Why?

Of course, because it was the best experience in my life.