How Lebanese universities are connecting students to the world

For many university students, studying abroad is more than an academic opportunity. It is a chance to discover a new country, experience a different way of life, and find out what it means to live independently. For a semester or an academic year, students step outside their familiar surroundings to explore new cultures, build friendships, and gain a different perspective on their education and their future.

Through university partnerships, exchange programmes and scholarships such as Erasmus+, students can pursue part of their studies abroad while earning credits towards their degrees. These experiences can strengthen language skills, broaden professional networks, and build confidence. For Lebanese students, they can also offer a glimpse into what living abroad might look like, helping them make more informed decisions about their futures.

Yet, with financial constraints and uncertainty affecting opportunities at home, how accessible are these experiences, and what do students bring back with them?

LAU: investing in global experience

At the Lebanese American University (LAU), international exchange programs are an important part of the university’s approach to education. In an interview with The Beiruter, Dina Abdul Rahman, Ed.D., Senior Director of International Services and Programs at LAU, explained how the university helps students experience different academic environments and build international connections.

Over the past ten academic years, from 2016/17 to 2025/26, 504 LAU students spent a semester or longer at partner universities abroad through Erasmus+, bilateral exchanges and other study-abroad programmes. LAU has more than 150 international partners across Europe, North America, East Asia and Latin America, with students studying at approximately 85 universities in 21 countries.

Erasmus+ participation has also grown significantly, from eight students in 2023/24 to 43 in 2025/26. Over the past decade, LAU received more than €1 million in Erasmus+ funding to support student, faculty and staff mobility.

For Abdul Rahman, the benefits extend beyond academics. “Learning is not only about grades and courses, it's about really developing the personality of a student,” she explained. Recognizing that financial constraints can prevent some students from participating, LAU offers additional support, including a travel fund. The university hopes to increase annual student mobility from approximately 100 to 150 by summer 2027. Abdul Rahman’s message to students is clear: “Our message to students is simple: go abroad but return.”

USEK: Building connections across borders

At the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), international mobility gives students, faculty and staff opportunities to experience different academic systems. In an interview with The Beiruter, John Abou Rjeily, Director of International Affairs at USEK, discussed the university’s exchange programs and international partnerships.

Through Erasmus+ and other agreements, students can spend a semester abroad and take courses that complement their studies in Lebanon. USEK also offers double-degree opportunities with institutions in Europe, the United States and Canada, while expanding partnerships with American universities.

However, incoming mobility remains challenging amid Lebanon’s security concerns and visa difficulties. Abou Rjeily noted that two French students from the Institut Catholique de Paris came to USEK. To support international students, the university has established a program, through which local students help them navigate administrative procedures and everyday life.

Abou Rjeily believes exchanges should help students develop their skills without necessarily encouraging them to leave Lebanon permanently. He also stressed the importance of Lebanese universities working together to strengthen international relations and secure more opportunities for students.

NDU: Navigating Opportunities and Obstacles

At Notre Dame University–Louaizeh (NDU), bilateral agreements and Erasmus+ programs allow students to study at partner universities abroad. In an interview with The Beiruter, Dr. May Akl, Director of the Office of International Relations, explained that opportunities extend across disciplines including education, architecture, engineering and business, and destinations such as France, Spain, Italy and Denmark.

Nevertheless, being selected for an exchange does not guarantee that students can travel. Akl described visa-related difficulties affecting students approved for a competitive exchange opportunity with a consortium of Portuguese universities. Because the process required them to travel to Cyprus, the students faced additional obstacles amid Lebanon’s difficult circumstances. She highlighted the importance of making visa procedures more accessible for students selected for international programs.

Incoming exchanges have also been affected by the security situation. In spring 2026, two French students studying at NDU had to be evacuated and sent home. Despite these challenges, the university continues to pursue international partnerships and exchange opportunities, helping students gain international experience while navigating the realities of studying in and travelling from Lebanon.

Discovering Lebanon through Marco's eyes

In 2018, Italian student Marco Montanari came to Lebanon through an exchange agreement between IULM University in Milan, where he studied Interpretation and Communication, and the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK). Specializing in English and Arabic, he saw the exchange as an opportunity to explore the Levant’s cultural and linguistic landscape.

Although he expected Lebanon to be more conservative and socially rigid than Italy, his experience challenged those assumptions. “Rather than feeling like a stranger in a distant land, I felt at home almost instantly,” he recalled in his interview with The Beiruter. From the historical sites of Byblos and Baalbek to the country’s multilingual society, he discovered a blend of heritage and contemporary life, along with the warmth of Mediterranean hospitality.

Eight years later, Montanari remains in touch with the friends he made in Lebanon and hopes to return. The experience strengthened his adaptability and deepened his understanding of cross-cultural communication, a valuable skill in his professional field.

From Brussels to Paris with Mia

For Lebanese student Mia Sabbagh, an Erasmus+ scholarship opened the door to six months at Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), her first experience living abroad. Through the Erasmus community, she explored new cultures, visited six European countries and learned to navigate life independently. “The biggest adjustment was learning how to be truly independent,” she told The Beiruter.

The experience encouraged her to pursue further studies abroad. After completing her Bachelor's degree in Translation at Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ), she joined a double-degree programme between USJ and ISIT in Paris, where she is pursuing a master's in Intercultural Communication and Translation.

While Brussels offered discovery and exploration, Paris has become more focused on her professional future, including an internship that could lead to a job. “Brussels was about discovering the world and enjoying every moment; Paris is about building my future,” she reflected.

Lessons that last forever

As Lebanon continue to face economic and political challenges, universities continue to strengthen their international partnerships, secure scholarships and work together to make exchange opportunities more accessible and affordable for students. Through these efforts, they are opening doors for young Lebanese to discover new countries, experience different university curricula and learn in unfamiliar academic environments.

Studying abroad is also an opportunity for self-discovery. Students learn to adapt to new surroundings, embrace different cultures and discover strengths they may never have known they possessed. An exchange may last only a few months, but the friendships, experiences and lessons can stay with them for a lifetime. Sometimes, the most valuable lesson is not what students learn in a classroom, but what they discover about themselves along the way.