An incredible experience you won't want to miss out on! Past Review
By Gaby Gerecht (McGill University) - abroad from 01/25/2016 to 05/15/2016 with
American University of Beirut: Beirut - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
More than I thought I would. It's opened up the doors for incredible career opportunities and I knew immediately that I wanted to focus on the Middle East and work on public policy dealing with refugees.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
If you want to study abroad in the Middle East or have a different abroad experience then the typical Euro trip AUB is the best place to do so. The international students program at AUB is incredible. They are there to help you with everything and ensure that no student feels like they're alone. I know that I was incredibly nervous to go to AUB because I had no support from my home university and wasn't sure what I was going into. AUB gave me a family that I know I can still reach out to for support. It's also unbelievably beautiful and I miss staring at the beach from my classroom every day. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
It was better then expected. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Coming from a very liberal and open-minded university, the housing offered on campus is very strict. I immediately realized it wasn't for me and found an apartment else where. But it is very easy to find an apartment and if you're interested in learning Arabic I highly advice living with someone who speaks it fluently! |
| * Food: |
Lebanese food is sublime. I crave Sahyoun falafel and kibbeh every day. The only issue is that you will not be able to eat out every day so it is important to find an apartment with a good kitchen and a grocery store that you like because some of the produce is of poor quality. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
OIP made this part easy. Through orientation and the mentor program I met all of my close friends in the first few days. OIP also introduced me to a program that paired students learning arabic with Syrians living in Lebanon who want to learn English. My partner volunteered at an NGO that taught Syrian students on the weekends. I was able to go often and it was a major highlight of my stay in lebanon |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Unfortunately, I had quite a few health issues while in Lebanon (unrelated to being in Lebanon). The health care system at AUB is great. You are seen immediately and everything is free. Just be aware that you will get a work out going to and from the insurance center and back. |
| * Safety: |
Obviously, being a foreigner in the Middle East comes with a few security concerns. There were very few times that I felt unsafe. If you dress appropriately when you need to and make sure (especially if you are female) that you travel with someone from Lebanon or someone from the region you will be fine. There was less theft in Lebanon than in any place I've ever lived (6 countries). |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Absolutely, with no doubt in my mind. |
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) |
Lebanon is actually quite expensive |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $70 a week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy groceries!! and if you drink buy beer at grocery stores. |
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 |
Not really because Arabic wasn't mandatory. I took both lebanese and modern arabic standard. I really enjoyed them and wish I spoke the language more often. |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Advanced Intermediate Modern arabic. Never took Lebanese before |
| 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? | try to befriend lots of native speakers so you are forced to use the language to join in conversations! |
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 |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | That I shouldn't have been so nervous going in and to have gone for a year! |
