Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Fun and beautiful country with a great AUB campus Past Review

By (University of Massachusetts Amherst / UMass) - abroad from 01/25/2013 to 05/20/2013 with

American University of Beirut: Beirut - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how easy it is to meet people from other countries and people with other backgrounds.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Studying in Beirut was an amazing experience. AUB was very accommodating to any needs I had. It is a tough school and a hard program however, very worth it. One should definitely use the opportunity while studying there to explore all of Lebanon, it is a very beautiful country. AUB has a great campus right in Hamra which is a fun location for students. Students should definitely get involved with activities there for a great chance to meet people.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Administration was great and very helpful.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing at the AUB dorms was a great chance to meet people. There were stricter rules than I was use to at UMass which made life a little tough there, however it is about what one should expect from local customs.

* Food:

Lebanese food is always very good, it also helped to have American fast food restaurants across the street if I ever felt homesick

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Best way to meet people is through sports or other school sponsored activities. People are very friendly at AUB and are very social. Hanging out at the dorms' lounge was also a great chance to meet new people.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

healthcare was pretty accessible.

* Safety:

I never felt that I was in any danger in AUB or in all of Lebanon for that matter.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

2.5

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? around $100-$200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? bring alot of money, Lebanon is not as cheap as you think.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

3

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Begginer Arabic 101
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? take an entry level Arabic class

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

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Meeting people
* What could be improved?
  • AUB has strict rules comapred to other Universities in the US
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish there was more info on where else to travel in Lebanon with more opportunities from AUB to travel around the country.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.