My semester at AUB was one of the best semesters of my college career. Past Review
By Dylan Rhile (University of Pennsylvania) - abroad from 02/01/2016 to 05/12/2016 with
American University of Beirut: Beirut - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
This experience helped me learn how to immerse myself in, and succeed in, a different environment. Being in a new environment really teaches you a lot about the world and yourself as a person.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administrators of the program were always doing everything they could to make our experience the best it could be. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The dorm we stayed in (Kerr) was very old and in need of renovation. We also had several maintenance issues that were not quickly resolved. |
| * Food: |
The food both at the University and in the city was great and not too expensive. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program did a lot to get us off campus and into different parts of Lebanon to really get into the culture of different regions, which was a great part of my study abroad experience. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The university is kept very safe. I never felt in any danger at all. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The school, city, people, and lifestyle all far exceeded my expectations. If I could, I would definitely do another semester at AUB. It was a really comfortable and fun environment with plenty to do and learn. |
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) |
How much money you spend really depends on your lifestyle. If you're going out to eat every night and indulge in the nightlife you're going to spend significantly more than you would otherwise. That being said, it's study abroad, so spending some more money to travel/eat/go out with locals is worth it. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I probably spent between $100-$150 on food, night life, and transportation. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you're traveling a far distance Uber is cheaper than trying to take a taxi. |
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 |
While all the classes were in English, my Arabic courses and the general environment encouraged the use of Arabic. |
| 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? | ARAB 035 Intermediate Formal Arabic |
| 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? | The best way to practice the language is to get out in the city and talk to everyone you can. |
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? | I cant say there is anything I wish I knew before going that I know now. I felt really prepared for my time abroad. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
