3 Tips for Making the Most of a Study Abroad Program in the Arab Region

Studying abroad can be a life-changing experience for students, exposing them to new places, customs and foods, as well as new ways of thinking.

For students from the Arab world, studying abroad within the Middle East and North Africa can have particular advantages, says Walid I. Moubayed, professor and dean of admissions and registration at the University of Balamand in Koura, North Lebanon, which currently has 602 international students.

Being closer to home makes it easier for students to travel back during holidays and for parents to visit. Moubayed points out that students staying within the Middle East for college or graduate school are less likely to face the language barriers they would encounter in other parts of the world.

But that doesn't mean that the adjustment will be easy for everyone. Brian Moran, dean of graduate affairs at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia , says, "Some [KAUST] students from the Middle East have expressed that they didn't feel they experienced a drastic culture shock, while others have felt that even coming from within the Middle East there was a big difference in the culture, weather or environment."

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Regardless of where you are headed, there a few things you can do to help ensure you have a positive study abroad experience.

Be in the Know Before You Go

Before you travel, taking the time to familiarize yourself not only with the university where you will be studying, but also with the city will help make the transition upon arrival a little smoother.

Moubayed advises international students coming to his institution to "make sure to learn about Lebanon ahead of time, including weather conditions, transportation systems, what facilities are provided in their residency, whether on or off campus, areas of attraction and leisure activities." He also suggests finding out whether the university you will be attending provides transportation to campus for international students, so that it can be arranged ahead of time.

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Omar Almasri, a Syrian software engineering student at the Jordan University of Science and Technology in Irbid, recommends visiting the country before moving, if possible.

"If you can have a tour inside the country, go for it," he says. Since campus housing is not available for male students at the college, Almasri used his visit to Jordan to find the apartment he now rents.

Be Aware of Visa Regulations and Laws

Insurance and visa requirements vary according to citizenship and the country you are traveling to, so it is important to make sure you are aware of any special requirements. Moubayed advises students to check the website of the country they will be studying in and to "consult with the international student office to make sure that the visa application is properly completed and that deadlines are respected."

At KAUST, where two-thirds of the student body are international students, an on-boarding adviser is assigned to each student to help them with the visa process, says Moran.

Students from countries with political instability may face additional hurdles in the visa application process.

"They are usually requested to submit additional documents, and their visas might be delayed," says Moubayed. "Therefore, they are usually advised to apply for the visa earlier."

Moubayed also advises international students to register with the embassy of their home country.

Get Invested in Campus Life

Many universities offer programs for new international students that extend well beyond the traditional orientation.

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At the University of Balamand, a "Dorms Club" offers services to familiarize students with the surrounding area, such as weekly shopping trips. After arriving, Moubayed recommends getting to know counselors and student affairs advisers and finding ways to become involved in campus life, whether it's through an international student group, sports, clubs, an on-campus job or even writing for the school newspaper.

Schools with large international student populations offer more opportunities to find others from one's home country as well as to meet people from new cultures.

"Some of our students may miss their favorite national food," says Moran, "but among their similar friends they may be able to recreate the dish, or even discover a love for a completely new cuisine introduced to them by a friend from a different country."

For Almasri, being away from loved ones hasn't been easy, but the friendships he's made have helped.

"I have met some great friends who have become like family to me," he says, adding that adopting a cat and cooking meals in his apartment have also helped to make him feel more at home.

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