Encountered another space Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

AUB is a strong university when compared to others around the world. It's not perfect in it's academic rigor-- the students are still 18-20somethings, so some immaturity is to be expected-- but all things considered, I was always impressed with the student body, their breadth of knowledge and intensity and the professors willingness to entertain radical intellectual ideals.

On-site administration of your program

The administration of my home school did not offer any help, but nor was I seeking any. I went outside the system and enrolled on my own. I was fortunate enough to have a great advisor and dept. chair that accepted all of my transfer credits.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I didn't live on campus, and I suggest not doing so. My experience was made whole by the environment of the neighborhood I was living in and the people I became friends with in my building. Being on campus is only a small sliver of the experience of studying abroad. I lived in the Qoretiem neighborhood, near Hamra. An interesting mix, although there are far more interesting places in Beirut-- but also hard to find an uninteresting neighborhood in Beirut.

Very filling, thats for sure. Under-rated aspect is the prevalence of cheese varieties and olives. Spears street has a few late nigh cheese shops that I suggest. I also enjoyed the crossiant and crepes at a far cheaper price and availability that in U.S. of course there is falafel and shawarma and manoush, etc.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The first thing I realized upon arrival is how similar everything is-- but in a new way. I felt completely welcomed and at home with AUB and fellow young Lebanese. I found the public encounters to be opposite to the U.S., where americans tend to be polite with strangers and somewhat distant with relatives and friends. In Lebanon you may say on the public level it is more take-care-of-yourself, but once kinship or friendship is established, it becomes very communal and open. But blanket statements are usually untrue as a whole.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I got food poisoning a few times, went to AUB hospital, it was fine. They have the same drugs there as anywhere else. Whatever.

The same amount of danger that exists anywhere else exists here. It's just that the type of danger is different. I remember someone asking me if I was afraid to go to school in America because I might be shot. I asked if they fear getting on a bus for it might explode. Yanni its the same, just different.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Some things were cheaper (transportation), some things the same (tuition, housing, food)-- but everything in Beirut changes depending on where you go. A sandwhich on bliss street is not the same as a sandwhich in barbeer

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