From March 20 to 24, the Beirut and Byblos campuses were abuzz with representatives from international universities, institutions and embassies for LAU’s fifth International Education Week (IEW), which since 2018, has aimed to foster cultural exchange, diversity, inclusion, and global awareness among students.

Through various discussions and forums, IEW addressed the challenges, opportunities, and advantages of international education, highlighting its importance to Lebanese youth, especially with the ongoing economic crisis in the country.

“At LAU, we have a student body that is incredibly flexible, trilingual, and hungry for opportunities,” said Vice President for Student Development and Enrollment Management Elise Salem in her opening speech, and given that Lebanon has untapped potential, the university continues “to grow its partnerships and increase the chances of meaningful exchange opportunities.”

Countries that were represented at the IEW included Brazil, Canada, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Poland, Slovenia, Netherland, Turkey, the UK and the US. Attendees shared different perspectives about the challenges faced during the pandemic, as well as with language learning and strategies for student motivation, among others.

Despite the critical situation in the country, said Lead Director of International Services Dina Abdul Rahman, LAU’s strategy continues to center on reinforcing the values of diversity and cultural exchange, which are integral to a holistic education with a global outlook. “We would like to continue to prioritize international education for our students, as we believe it is an essential tool to build their skills,” she said.

To that extent, Abdul Rahman expounded on the variety of programs and partnerships through which the university continues to enrich its students’ experience, including the Buddy Program and partnerships with over 40 institutions.

Apart from information sessions, cultural activities and enriching discussions, IEW also gave LAU students a platform to share their study abroad experiences with peers.

Political science and international affairs major Anhal Kozhaya, who was enrolled in the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) and completed a semester at Saginaw Valley State University in Michigan last year, was enthusiastic about sharing his story, which he described as “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” Meeting people from different communities in the US was inspiring and gave him a new perspective, he said.

Another political science and international affairs major, Sara Asmar, had spent a semester at the University of Helsinki in Finland as part of the Erasmus+ exchange program. Her study abroad experience, she said, allowed her “to promote the beautiful culture of Lebanon while discovering a whole new one, as I met a lot of Erasmus students from different European countries, and connected on cultural topics with them.”

For more information on available exchange and study abroad opportunities, refer to the website.