Study Abroad Programs in Beirut, Lebanon

My time abroad was beyond amazing and totally exceeded expectations. When I choose to study abroad in Beirut, Lebanon, I was told all kinds of things to worry about, was given a picture of Beirut as dangerous, and my choice as problematic. As soon as I arrived, I quickly realized how wrong those people were. Lebanon is a fantastic country. While it is facing a number of major issues, ranging from the affects of the Port Explosion some years ago, to corruption, and a massive economic crisis, I was able to live, study, and enjoy life immensely. The American University of Beirut is a world renowned institution with rigorous academics and supportive faculty, which the most beautiful campus I have seen, attracting students from every corner of the world. There was a large population of visiting students and we were strongly supported by the Office of International Programs. Beirut was an amazing city to live in, and me and my friends quickly settled in, learning our way around, meeting locals, and becoming a part of the fabric of the city. Getting around Lebanon was easy as well, and I was able to visit so many amazing places and learn so much about the country, its history, and myself. I strongly recommend Lebanon and AUB to any student interested in making a unique and life changing experience choice.

My experience at AUB was phenomenal. I met amazing people who changed my perspective on life as I was on my journey to uplift my academic background. From Academics to social life, I got to meet and interact with great minds both from the Middle East and outside the region. Lectures were rich with case studies, and industry guest speakers who provided an outlook on how what is being learned theoretically is being used at the workplace. Also, lecturers had both industry and academic experience which made lectures more than just a class. Class outings and other gatherings also gave me an opportunity to explore Lebanon and to know more about the Lebanese people and culture, which was absolutely thrilling. AUBs state-of-the-art facilities also helped me in maintaining good physical health as I visited the well-equipped gym and learned how to swim among others. I have made long-lasting connections that have enriched and enlarged my social network. More so, the African community hosted events that made me always feel at home as I met other students from over 10 African countries where we met to have fun and share unique experiences at AUB. Indeed, AUB is my second home!

The American University of Beirut, both as an academic and cultural institution showed me nothing short of total warmth and hospitality from the moment I arrived. The faculty were extremely helpful, and some even showed me around the city to help me better adjust to my surroundings. Classes were often engaging, challenging me as a native english-speaker, which I did not expect, especially given that the classes are taught in english. Regardless, they taught how to conserve my words, to be thoughtful with my diction, and to always consider the ways in which my words could be taken. The area pertaining to and around the campus is gorgeous, and I never experienced any problems on daily walks or trips deeper into the city. Lastly, the students, who were from a staggering spread of countries I had never met anyone else from before, were without fail friendly, kind, patient, helpful, and always eager to do something with me. The beauty of AUB cannot be overstated.

I had an amazing time studying abroad in Beirut. The campus is beautiful, the food is amazing, and there are always fun things to do in and out of Beirut. The AUB international students office was also very helpful in preparing us for the academic year and plan extracurricular events.

My Experience at AUB was one of Adventure, wonder, excitement, adrenaline and adaptation. Stepping off the plane, landing into Beirut I found myself in a time capsule into a bygone era. Immediately I found myself hit with archaic chaos just outside the airport. Cars blaring their horns, stopping at random intervals, each taxi clamoring to get a paying customer. Police officers would struggle with whistles to keep some semblance of working order on the one road that leads out of the airport. It was clear immediately that this was a whole world different than the orderly, Australian streets I was accustomed to. It occurs to me that the chaotic lack of road rules on the streets - even such vital arteries as the roads leading out of the airport is a microcosm of Lebanon as a whole. It's a free-for-all, with a public services sector that somehow just manages to do the bare minimum year after year. The private sector fills in the gap and provides the standard services you'd expect, for a price. Quickly you'll come to find the stark disparity between citizens with those living luxurious lives and those living in abject poverty rubbing shoulders and living across the street from each other. The city of Beirut itself is built as a wondrous mix of modern old and new. It's incredibly addicting and exciting, despite its challenges. Lebanon itself, as a landscape, is absolutely gorgeous. From beautiful forests, to stunning beaches to the ice-capped Mountains of Beirut, the country has an abundant wealth of natural beauty. Complementing the natural beauty of the country are ancient remnants of empires littered around the county. Lebanon itself has been ruled over by countless regimes, from the ancient Romans and Byzantines to the more modern French and Ottoman mandates. Stunning ruins of civilizations lie scattered across the countryside, embraced by overgrown vegetation, remnants of what used to be. Walking around Beirut's Chic neighborhoods, you'll still find beautiful architecture today, harking back to building designs from almost a century ago. Beirut, like a Phoenix, has rebuilt itself as a city multiple times over, on-top of old infrastructure. I found it remarkably breathtaking. Lebanese culture is unique and wondrous. The cultural heritage the country has is unparalleled in the world. Exotic dresses, warm hospitality, mixes of French Cuisine, Arabian shisha lounges and Americanized Bars and Food stalls have made Lebanon the unique cultural mix it represents today. It is common to see people in traditional Lebanese attire across the street from youth in modern, savvy European fashion. In my experience, the real highlight was the food! Traditional Lebanese foods are some of the best in the world. From staples like your breakfast Mankoush(Wrapped cheese pizza) to Maghrabieh(Chickpea & chicken stew), fatte(Flatbread and yoghourt meal) and warak enab(Stuffed Grape leaves), I’ve had some of the most amazing dishes I’ve ever tasted in Lebanon - you will too. AUB however, stands out in the country and the city as a beacon and a haven, somehow within and away from Lebanon at the same time. Clearly the most Prestigious University in the region, I found AUB to be an entirely different world, as if it existed separately from Lebanon. There was order, organization, community and real academics in a stunningly beautiful, huge Campus. Founded in 1866, it's one of the oldest Universities in Existence. Everybody in Lebanon knows AUB. It's quite famous within the middle east - it is THE place to study for all the talented students in the region. I was welcomed warmly and with open arms into the AUB community. Especially by the Office of International Programs (OIP). They really made me feel at home away from home. I made countless friends and even more memories over time at events and meetups around campus and beyond. There was a real sense of community around the international students. After a year, I became a mentor, and helped organize events, activities and trips for incoming int'l students as well as help guide them through the challenges of life in Lebanon. Students on campus are very friendly and warm, many of them speaking the three different languages commonly used in Lebanon - English, French and Arabic. There are many students I studied with that I still consider friends to this day, despite being in different countries. The close bonds I created with some students last forever - I’ve recently been invited to a wedding of a close friend I haven’t seen for over 5 years for example. Student clubs and organizations are particularly active, there's always an event running any given week, often daily. I found myself always having something extra-curricular to do. The Curriculum at AUB is rich with amazing courses to take. The courses are intense! As a Computer Science graduate I found genuine fascination with the courses offered, but struggled with the intensity at times. Apart from Mathematics and Computer Science courses, I enjoyed Natural Science courses such as Chemistry and Geology, but Social Science courses as well - Politics and Economics. There is a vast array of courses to study at AUB, and the professors and support staff have always been helpful and insightful with requests and support Navigating around the bureaucracy of Lebanon can be challenging. I often found myself running around in a wild goose chase, hunting down a specific document I needed from a ministry or an Embassy, only to need a pre-requisite beforehand and starting again. Luckily, the OIP has always been helpful with providing support whenever necessary, and I could always count on excellent advice from staff and colleagues which helped me through. Recently, unfortunately, Lebanon has been hit with Woe. Popular protest against the government, alongside an economic crisis, the devaluation of the currency, the Coronavirus pandemic and an explosion compared by many to the size of a nuclear bomb has transformed the country. Many average citizens have been laid off from their jobs, or suddenly found their salaries almost worthless. Many Lebanese are finding it difficult at the moment, keep that in mind as you interact with the greater community outside AUB. Lebanon is facing many issues sadly, but, like a Phoenix, I believe it will once again grow stronger than ever. It is important to know, for students preparing to study in Lebanon now - that it will be uniquely challenging, heart wrenching, and bittersweet. You will face obstacles in your journey. Some may seem immovable, but somehow, miraculously, you will pull through with pure perseverance, grit and determination. I found some of the most inspiring people I’ve ever met in Beirut. In hindsight I understand that they’ve been hardened by difficult circumstances, and forced to morph into the very best versions of themselves to pull through. The AUB community you’ll meet will be there for you. Seek help and support from your colleagues, doing it alone will make it far more difficult than it needs to be. Finally, never lose sight of your goal. Be it a semester abroad or an entire Degree. Stay on track and persevere. Lebanon can be addicting. It can be distracting. It’s constantly on the edge of wonder, excitement and heartbreak at the same time. Believe in yourself. It is another realm of possibility, action and adrenaline. I’m excited for you to see.

AUB was a part of my life since I was young and always dreamt as growing up of studying there and continuing my upper education. However as AUB is part of Lebanon, the many sides of Lebanon, both the good and the bad, are also present in AUB, and you may be considered lucky of you didn't encounter the latter. The good side is that, AUB is a very strong academic institute, it provides a strong, wide range of education, a one which you need to study very hard to get the acceptable grades and GPA. It has some of the best professors and educators, they can be very helpful and kind, as well as an accessible education system, you read correctly, AUB has accessible education, and became one of the numbered academic institutes in middle east to acknowledge studying difficulties, and tries to accommodate for them. And one of my favorite things .. is the campus, AUB has such a beautiful campus with many greenery that is spread on the upper and lower part of the campus surrounding you while studying there. The bad side , however, is the long time AUB offices take to finish their paper work or from another point of view your papers, if you don't kindly remind them most of them time, your papers might take up to 6 or 7 months. another thing is the hidden but still there racism you might face based on your nationality and skin color, sometimes grades can go down if the professor hats the nation you come from, so please ay attention to that if you don't want to suffer from it. also as an American university, it has a very high tuition fee and might be a big withdraw for many people before applying, so it might be better to apply for scholarships or financial aid to able to study in this institute. Putting both sides aside, AUB is still a strong academic institute to study in, if you want to study abroad in lebanon. good luck!

I studied abroad at AUB for a semester, fall 2019, and loved my time at the university and living in Beirut. AUB offers a range of interesting courses, many on subjects that are rarely taught in the US. My professors had so much expertise in their respective fields, were very tapped in to current Lebanese/regional affairs, and were very welcoming to us visiting students. AUB's campus is beautiful, with lots of greenery and located on the Mediterranean. I had some difficulty enrolling in courses at the beginning of the semester -- many of the ones that I wanted were already filled up. I eventually got this sorted out, thanks especially to Megan Scanlon. My advice would be to stay in touch with her and the AUB administration of whatever department you want to take courses in, the semester prior to attending AUB, so you can register for courses before you arrive. Outside of AUB, I explored Beirut's coffeeshops, restaurants, nightlife, bookstores, and more -- Beirut has so much to offer and is now one of my favorite cities. Be sure to travel outside of Beirut for weekend trips -- there are so many cultural and historical sites outside of the city, as well as stunning nature in places like the Chouf. As always, be aware of your surroundings, especially if you are a woman (though I had no safety incidents).

AUB is one of the greatest experiences I've ever had. While I was abroad, the political situation in Lebanon was deteriorating, and by October, we were forced to take a few weeks off from school for safety and transportation reasons. However, regardless of the protests and the social upheaval, AUB was a wonderfully immersive experience with some of the most professional and passionate professors I have ever had. Professors Karim Makdisi and Rima Majed stand out as some of the most brilliant people I have ever interacted with. I also almost forgot to mention how beautiful the campus is. It looks out right onto the Mediterranean and the architecture is reminder of Lebanon's history and civil war that blends in with more modern architecture by world renowned Zaha Hadid. The public transportation systems in Lebanon are also really good, so it can take you all over the country. 10/10 would recommend to any student, even those with little Arabic!

Living abroad in Beirut is a phenomenal chance to explore an exciting, vibrant city. Studying at AUB provided a great way to meet other students (both international and Lebanese) and take classes that I never could have at my home university. I did have trouble getting into the classes that I wanted and did not find the level of academic rigor to be super high. That being said, the study abroad advisors were helpful in troubleshooting and coordinating class issues.

I studied abroad at AUB for a year and I had the most incredible experience both in and out of the classroom. While at AUB, I lived in Shatila refugee camp so that I could immerse myself in the Palestinian/Lebanese experience while also forcing myself to speak only Arabic, which is difficult if you stay in Hamra. At my home university I study Human Rights and Middle Eastern Studies. Therefore, studying at AUB allowed me to take courses with some of the most important academics in my field of study. My professors helped me to contextualize the realities that I was witnessing everyday. When the revolution broke out, I was impressed that many of my professors continued to work with us out of the classroom and encourage us to learn from the events that were unfolding in the streets of Lebanon. While AUB is a nurturing environment, it’s exclusivity and isolation from the rest of Beirut was, for me, one of the most glaring representations of inequality in Lebanon. To those who are interested in studying abroad at AUB, I would recommend you appreciate every minute you are able to spend in such an elite and prestigious institution. However, if you stay in Hamra after class and you spend all your time with foreign students you will expose yourself to a very limited view of Lebanon. Hitchhike, take buses, talk to the shabab (youth), and listen to stories from old ladies on the street. Do most everything that your embassy recommends you don’t do, just use judgement when doing it. The one thing that I must add is about gender. My partner, who was not an AUB student, worked in Lebanon while I was at AUB. We experienced Lebanon very differently. While she loved her time in Lebanon, she was harassed, a few times followed, and overall had to deal with so much toxic masculinity that I never would have encountered had I not been listening. Despite this, both of us strongly recommend immersing yourself in the universe which is Lebanon. You will experience hospitality that will humble you to your core. Studying abroad at AUB, in my experience, is an amazing opportunity.

I had a wonderful time living in Beirut for 4 months. Lebanon is an incredible country. I made lasting friendships and I will always treasure my time there. The administration and bureaucracy of the university was at times hard to manage, but the Office of International Programs made up for this with all of their great help.

My experience at AUB was honestly amazing. This program and this country was all that I could have wished for and more. I was able to be in Beirut, Lebanon when the Lebanese protests began in October, 2019. It was honestly life changing to be able to be in a country attempting to go through such a historic change, and to be witness to such a historic moment in this amazing country. Being able to witness this positive and peaceful revolution up close has only furthered my drive to study politics, especially in the Middle East. AUB honestly has one of the prettiest campuses that I have ever been on, and it was amazing to be able to see the Mediterranean everyday as I walked to class. The facilities were on par with my American institution, and campus was always buzzing with tons of activities. The academics were great, and I was able to take classes that I never could have in the USA with professor specializing in Lebanese and Middle Eastern politics. I was also enrolled in their Arabic department. Let me tell you, Arabic classes at AUB are not for the faint of heart. I worked incredibly hard, but it was worth it for the abilities that I was able to gain. Lebanon overall is a perfect study abroad destination in my opinion. The night life is amazing, with more cool bars and clubs that one could ever go to. The food and the people were still my favorite part, however. Lebanese cuisine is amazing, and I still crave it every single day. The cost of living is also quite cheap, I was able to eat lunch and dinner out for only about $7 or $8 each day. I think the most I ever paid for a meal was like $15, nothing compared to food prices in the USA. Lebanon also offers everything in terms of culture and geography. With in an hour, I could be in a valley, surrounded by snowcapped mountains, or on a beautiful beach. This who think of Lebanon as simply desert are anything but correct. There were about a million day trips that I could take away from Beirut, making it easy to see a good chunk of the country. Lebanon is also tiny! Meaning that I was able to get an incredibly good feel of it while I was there. Finally, the people are what truly made it worth it. I don't think that there was one class in which people didn't want to be my friend, or one night that I came home with out 5 new numbers in my phone. If I could do it all over again, I would. Being in Lebanon has only made me want to go back and live and work in the Middle East even more, and I feel incredibly grateful to have gotten to be there.

Had an incredible experience at AUB. This program seems to attract similarly-minded people - caring, driven learners who also like to have fun. My experience drove me to change my major to Middle Eastern studies. Lebanon is truly one of the most beautiful countries on the planet, and getting out into it with good people was always something I could look forward to when the weekend came. I can promise you'll have a fantastic time in Beirut.

I could not recommend the American University of Beirut more highly for a semester abroad. It is the best university in the region, and I was able to take courses on the Middle East with renowned professors. The stunning campus overlooks the Mediterranean and is centrally located within Beirut, and the city itself has a booming arts scene and nightlife. The support for visiting students – both pre-departure and throughout the semester – was above and beyond.

From the minute I showed interest in studying abroad at AUB, I was provided with a seamless and easy path towards being a visiting student. AUB’s classes, students, campus and office of international programs all were so helpful and welcoming. I always felt so safe in Beirut and came away with many life long friends.

I spent the spring of my junior year at AUB, studying in the Arabic and Near Eastern Languages Department and the Media Studies and Art History Departments. It was a transformative semester full of challenging as well as rewarding experiences. I had the chance to study alongside inspiring professors and classmates, explore my interests inside and outside the classroom, and learn how to live independently. I made friendships that I look forward to having for the rest of my life, and found mentors I know I can come back to in the future. I owe much of that to my experience studying abroad at AUB.

I had a really great experience. I took two classes in Arabic (Lebanese and Modern Standard) and the rest in English. I was highly impressed with the difficulty of the course work. Coming from an Ivy League, I assumed the school would be an easier adjustment, but I spent a lot more time with my school work that I usually do. I learned an incredible amount about such interesting subjects, and I found the difference between my mainly Western education and AUB’s diverse cultural and academic network to be extremely enriching. I skied on the weekends, and I traveled all over Eastern Europe and the Middle East during my time there. I highly recommend it to anyone passionate and interested about experiencing the region and AUB’s rich academic community.

Studying at AUB, and spending time in Lebanon more generally, was the best experience of my life. From a program standpoint, the office in New York headed by Megan Scanlon was phenomenal and put all my worries to rest prior to my departure. I felt prepared and ready to face the adventure that awaited me in Beirut, and to say all my expectations were exceeded would be a gross understatement. In nearly every interaction I had throughout my year in Lebanon, I encountered the most genuine, kind and warm-hearted individuals. From the waiter at my favorite hummus spot to my professors, I was met with such warmth that made me feel at ease and at home almost immediately. My acclamation period took about one week, and after that, I was calling home saying that this was the place for me. The academic offerings were wonderful, and being in classes with people from all over the Middle East and the globe was incredibly unique and helpful in diversifying my perspective on specific issues. I was able to gain more insight and combat some of the preconceived notions I had been fed my whole life. Outside the classroom, AUB hosts wonderful events and brings in great speakers. Additionally, there are fantastic volunteer opportunities available. For the entirety of my time in Lebanon, I volunteered at a refugee camp on the weekends and it was the highlight of my experience. There are wonderful resources at AUB that give you a wide array of ways to get involved in the community beyond just dining at your favorite falafel shop. The main attraction is what goes on in Beirut and the country at-large. Such culture and life, from art installations to amazing food and beyond. There is truly never a dull moment. Moreover, the fun does not stop in Beirut. The entire country is greatly accessible and gorgeous; you will never run out of things to do. One weekend, I went from the beach to skiing all within a 24h period. The country has something to offer everyone, from hiking/rock climbing/outdoors sports to unbeatable cuisine and endless cultural activities. I truly cannot emphasize enough how spectacular of an experience attending AUB and living in Lebanon was for my Junior year abroad. You will absolutely, unequivocally have the best time of your life. I have made lifelong friends with people from Lebanon and around the world, all of whom share the same feelings as I do about this special place.

I had a wonderful time at AUB. I grew a lot as a person, both academically and socially. It was the first time in my life that I was truly the only American in the room most of the time and (as cliche as it sounds) that COMPLETELY changed my perspective on what it means to live in this county. I also became close friends with people from all over the world - one of them is coming to visit me this summer and I’m spending next winter break in France with another. Beirut as a city is also incredible. I had lots of fun exploring, and never felt even the slightest bit unsafe. It’s also an incredibly artsy and political city. My favorite bar was the communist bar and my favorite cafe turned into a “literary speakeasy” at night. Everyone is politically engaged, too - tons of protests all the time. The vast majority of people speak English so even though I didn’t know Arabic I had no trouble communicating, etc. Travel to the rest of the Middle East is easy and cheap. I rented a car and drove through the desert in Jordan, hung out for a week in Istanbul, and spent so many weekends in the mountains up in the North of Lebanon. The food is amazing too!

My study abroad at AUB was truly life changing for me. I met so many different people from all over the world and just learned so much for each of them. I loved AUB and the courses they offered. It’s a beautiful campus with amazing professors and people. The courses I took at AUB are the type of courses I will never get anywhere else again. Beirut is also just an amazing city, there is nothing like it. I had a lot of pre-departure help and was completely prepared for everything I encountered. I think everyone should do this program if they can. Again, it was truly a life changing and amazing experience.