Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

STUDY ABROAD IN BEIRUT OR ELSE...you'll miss out :( February 22, 2021

By (University of Pennsylvania) - abroad from 08/22/2019 to 12/22/2019 with

American University of Beirut: Beirut - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I now know to travel as much as I can, which sucks because of COVID. It was more than worthwhile.

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.

Arabic was incredibly intensive (in the best way)! I learned more than I could have imagined in 5 months at AUB.

* 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:

Although my time in Beirut fell into a generally less safe period of revolution, I personally did not once feel my safety was at risk. Befriend a few Lebanese people and enjoy the city, the mountains, the sea, and everything in between.

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

I would like to move to Beirut permanently. The program has moved me so much; from the people, to the food and culture, to the sights (and clubs), Beirut is the place to be.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100?
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Check out cheap spots for awesome Lebanese grub.

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? None
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? ARAB131
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? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* 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?
  • Arabic language intensity
  • cultural immersion
  • student liberties
* What could be improved?
  • GPA forgiveness as Arabic classes at AUB are way more intense and time consuming than those at Penn.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Reach out to and befriend more AUB students.

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 Urbanite
A 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.