AUB Post Undergrad Past Review

By (Johns Hopkins University) - abroad from 09/16/2015 to 01/18/2017 with

American University of Beirut: Beirut - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Beirut is safe, especially as an Asian woman I had qualms about a different experience that I may have than other White Americans or Europeans that made of the majority of online reviews of the AUB and Beirut experience. I was unaware of Beirut's own diversity which includes many people from Asia. Relative to New York City, where I had been living before, I felt less discrimination and had no experience with overt racism that I faced almost daily at home. As a result, I felt safe in my surroundings and community. I also had the chance to speak with Megan Scanlon before deciding to go to Beirut after the protests that summer about the trash crisis, who was able to give me a better understanding of the situation in the city and help assuage my initial anxieties. Which I realize now were overblown by the media.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

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

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
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

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Lebanese Arabic Language Department
  • Living with Students in Dorms
* What could be improved?
  • N/A
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew more about the university procedures on tuition, dorm fees, etc.