Beirut has so much to offer, explore as many neighborhoods as possible! Past Review
By Emily J (International Affairs, George Washington University) - abroad from 09/16/2011 to 06/10/2012 with
American University of Beirut: Beirut - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Yes! Made some really close friends, learned so much about Lebanon and ever since then I've been hooked on the Middle East
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I felt that most of the courses I took at AUB were fairly rigorous, but more importantly, they offered a different perspective than my university in the States. Learning about the world, including in subjects like politics, history and anthropology, had a different orientation because we were in the Middle East. It was such a valuable year for me academically because it the least Western-centric part of my education. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My university forced me to jump through a bunch of hoops to approve this year abroad which is unfortunate because I know that many more students would have been interested in participating if there wasn't so much red tape. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived on campus the first semester which is a great place to meet both Lebanese and international students, but I was happy to move in an apartment the following semester because it's really the best way to explore Beirut. Every neighborhood is so different. |
| * Food: |
Amazing!!!!!!!!! kinda goes with saying. Make friends with your closest produce stand guy and man'oushe guy and you will love life |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It can be hard to make friends with Lebanese students, but be proactive and put yourself in situations where they aren't foreigners as often as possible. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
It's hard to practice your Arabic in Beirut, but if you live in a neighborhood of fewer English speakers it may be easier. Try to just put yourself out there and speak as much as possible. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 2 years |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | The each part of the city is so radically different, try to spend lots of time outside Hamra! |
