Despite glowing reviews from alumni all over the world, Lebanon is a country that is far from any top study abroad destination lists in the West. Instead, it is marked under a list of travel advisories on many government websites.
These advisories are important to consider in your decision-making, as is your own assessment of risk. Examine your personal comfort level, solidity of self, financial plan, health and safety considerations, and all relevant policies in place.
Anas, a Snoubar Skatepark regular, performs a trick on his bike. Located in the Horsh neighborhood of Beirut, it is the first public skatepark in Lebanon. Photo by courtesy of Nazlee Radboy.
Remember, our brains are wired to be cautious, to be on the lookout for danger, and to move around quickly like a monkey swinging from branch to branch. In addition to our hard-wiring, the external stimuli of unrelenting crises and their interconnectedness around the world can lead to internal overwhelm.
Focusing becomes difficult, and sorting through information is an endeavor in its own right. Through practice, we can train our brains to slow down. As a thought experiment, for the remainder of this article, place your intention and attention on unburdening yourself from all the uncertainty of the world, and release any feelings of being hurried.
READ MORE: Study Abroad in Lebanon: 5 Unexpected Benefits to Consider
Go ahead, let out an exhale. Welcome yourself into yourself to cultivate personal hospitality. It’s easier to navigate risk when we are at ease with ourselves, and much of being at ease comes from a warm welcome.
The practice of welcoming ourselves extends to welcoming others. In his book The Heart of Higher Education, author Parker Palmer says, “Learning spaces need to be hospitable spaces not merely because kindness is a good idea but because real education requires rigor.”
He maintains that hospitality supports rigor, and where the “proof can be found in the everyday classroom experience,” it is also found seamed onto the composite sketches of Lebanon.
In 2022, the hospitality Lebanon extends to guests is nothing short of a miracle. Lebanon is grappling with hyperinflation, loss of income, skyrocketing costs of fuel, food and medication scarcity, a pandemic, and life after a 2750 ton ammonium nitrate explosion at Beirut’s port.
There’s a school of thought in Tibetan Buddhism that suggests to get what you want, you have to give that thing away. What if you applied this framework as you consider Lebanon as a study abroad destination?
If you’re willing, here are four ways that you can reciprocate hospitality in Lebanon by being a considerate guest.
4 ways to be a considerate guest in Lebanon
1.Get to know your hosts
A traditional Lebanese pantry made with love in the villages of Akkar. Photo by courtesy of Razan Ghalayini.
Hospitality in Lebanon and Lebanese culture encompasses a wide range of experiences for students studying abroad. It’s a great point of pride for generous hosts to show you around the country, to share meals with you, to include you in Sunday family gatherings.
Be prepared to eat A LOT. In Lebanese etiquette, the main interest of the host is to make guests feel like family, and accepting offers of hospitality are one of the best ways to immerse yourself as a guest.
You can also prepare by assessing your level of cultural competence. Develop an awareness of what you know and don’t know, and remember, it’s okay to not know.
The point of studying abroad is to experience a different environment, but do what you can in advance by reading about the country from several points of view, observe who is telling the story, and investigate the context.
Consider what people are struggling with, and talk to people from that country. The Lebanese diaspora and graduates of Lebanese universities are everywhere, so connecting with alumni will be a breeze.
Rich Lebanese customs and traditions abound. You will find communities who actively pursue their passions. Art is everywhere, in numerous museums of course, but also walking the streets of Beirut you’ll engage with some of the most prominent artists of the Middle East.
Music sweeps up the environment. From jazz to metal, from Fairuz to Mashrou’ Leila, these songs tell stories of revolution and social justice, beloved scents (jasmine and gardenia) and scenes (mountains and bustling streets), and an emphasis on improvisation and aspirations.
2. Bring a thoughtful gift
A beautiful summer sunset from Ras Al haref, a village in mount Lebanon. The perfect destination for peace and serenity. Photo courtesy by Razan Ghalayini.
As you develop relationships, know that respecting the autonomy and dignity of Lebanon and sharing mutual aid are compatible actions. Lebanon is impacted by crippling social conditions, so if it’s accessible to you, bringing supplies that may be basic to you but are in low supply and high demand in Lebanon, can be a thoughtful consideration.
Here are items that come in handy:
- Pain relievers such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and topical pain relief products
- Vitamins and batteries
- Staples like coffee, sugar, and flour
- Your favorite sweet and savory treats to enjoy alongside traditional delicacies
- Menstrual hygiene products
Connecting with NGOs like Jeyetna (@Jeyetna on Instagram) can amplify the efforts to distribute eco-friendly menstrual products. Vanessa Zammar, a Swiss Lebanese Sociology graduate student at the American University of Beirut (AUB), co-founded Jeyetna with British-French film director Evelina Llewellyn.
They have been working for over a year in addressing period poverty in Lebanon by creating safe spaces around the country for women and people who menstruate to discuss their period, and talk about the different period products options: each participant leaves with two options of their choice and a hot water bottle to ease period pain.
Jeyetna on summer tour, shifting the topic of periods from a personal issue to a collective one. Photo by courtesy of Jeyetna cofounder Evelina Llewellyn.
“By setting periods and period poverty in broad daylight and bringing them to the public domain, we strive to bring a substantial change by breaking the persistent taboo. We tackle period poverty in a holistic way through product distribution, awareness, and education. By breaking the taboo and starting conversations we strive to shift the topic of periods from a personal issue to a collective one.”
Academically, there’s plenty of opportunities to dive into the public health of the region. Chaza Akik, an assistant research professor in public health at AUB, uses qualitative methods to explore the social and structural determinants of maternal and child health and nutrition, sexual and reproductive health, and non-communicable diseases within the Arab region.
Akik and the Faculty of Health Sciences have spent decades developing and nurturing relationships in local communities and have shaped the public health discourse in the region.
3. Mind your P’s and Q’s
As a foreigner, bringing foreign currency will grant you an entirely different level of purchasing power than many people, including your local friends. Be mindful of the economic situation. Even though hospitality is woven into Lebanese culture, typical acts of kindness and generosity could be coming at a great cost.
On the other hand, Lebanon is the country to practice receiving. If you love someone’s necklace, don’t be surprised if they offer it to you; here you can politely decline, but be open to receiving gifts and thoughtful acts.
The act of receiving can be as generous a gift as the act of giving.
4. Leave your preconceived notions at the door
A newlywed heading for a swim in the freezing waterfall on a hot summer day. The waterfall is located in Afqa, Byblos district. Photo courtesy by Razan Ghalayini.
Be intentional about having a learner mindset as you learn about Lebanese customs, traditions, and ways of life. Check in with your assumptions so you’re aware of what they are, and commit to suspending judgment—particularly in the global south if you have very little information or experience about the history and context.
A beautiful feature of studying abroad is relating to others, and to relate is to share. Dropping preconceived notions will open doors for authentic and meaningful relationships in an astoundingly eye-opening region of the world that treasures true companionship.
Listen without fixing or advising, be open to saying yes and trying things even if you initially think it’s unusual, and display respect for their home, their beliefs, culture, and values. You don’t have to agree, you don’t have to take on a new way of life.
The best visits are about being with, and by being a gracious guest studying in Lebanon, you’ll never be without.
NEXT: 5 Surprises About Life in Beirut for International Students
This article was written with help from the American University of Beirut. AUB is an extraordinary education, health, and research institution that is also serving to aid refugee populations within Lebanon. Beirut’s greenest space is highly diverse, multicultural, and its boundaries are a haven for students who are encouraged to think critically and express their individuality, as well as embrace civic duty.
Look for the Perfect Study Abroad Program Now
Start Your Search