Short-term Programs

 

Applications are being accepted and process on a rolling basis until March 1,2013 or until this program is full, whichever comes first.

 

 

Location Description

This four week program will be hosted by the Lebanese American University (LAU) in Beirut, the capital and largest city of Lebanon. Students will receive IDs from LAU and will reside in LAU’s dormitories.

LAU is a small private university with two campuses, one in Beirut and one in Byblos. The Beirut campus is situated in the Hamra (الحمرا) neighborhood in the heart of the Lebanese capital at a ten minute walk from the Mediterranean Sea.
 The center of the neighborhood is Hamra Street, once known as Beirut's "Champs Elysées." The street is one of Beirut's major commercial districts, and is filled with stores, restaurants, cafes, and hotels that cater to visitors and students from LAU and the close by American University of Beirut.

Lebanon is one of the most culturally and religiously diverse of the Arabic-speaking countries with 17 officially recognized religious sects, including the Sunni, Shi’ite, Druze, and ‘Alawite Muslims and the Maronite Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Protestant, and Armenian Catholic and Orthodox Christians.

Lebanese scholars and writers participated in a critical way in the Arabic renaissance at the end of the 19th and beginning of 20th centuries that revived Arabic language and literature, with Beirut being one of the most important cultural centers of the time. Beirut remains one of the most vibrant centers of Arabic letters and the home of many of the leading publishing houses of the region.

Additional Information

- Visas can be obtained at the airport in Beirut upon arrival.
- Internet access is available in all the dorm rooms. The dorms also have kitchens and laundry rooms. Wi-Fi is available on campus and in certain locations in the dorms.
- Students will obtain ID cards from the Lebanese American University which will give them access to university facilities (e.g., the library, the gym, indoor swimming pool).
- The university campus is walled and guarded 24/7; all dorms are also guarded 24/7.
- All meals are provided by the program.
- The cost of all the excursions listed above is also covered by the program.
- There will be additional short visits, covered by the program as well, e.g., to downtown Beirut, the National Museum, the AUB Archaeological Museum, and the Pigeon Rocks, all in Beirut.
- US dollars are accepted everywhere in Lebanon.
- NO traveler’s cheques!
- Cell phones may be purchased in Beirut.


Tentative itinerary:
- Friday, June 21, 2013: Arrival in Beirut.
- Saturday and Sunday, June 22-23: Orientation, Lebanese American University campus, al-Hamra area (Beirut)
- Monday, June 24, to Friday, July 19: Classes will be held daily during week days from 9 am to 2 pm.
- Excursions will be made on the weekends. The tentative schedule for the excursions is as follows:

  1. Saturday, June 29: Trip to Byblos / Jbeil, Jeita Grotto, Harissa / Jounieh (Our Lady of Lebanon; gondola lift).
  2. Sunday, June 30: Tour of Downtown Beirut
  3. Saturday, July 06: Trip to Tripoli (tour of the citadel, old souks, boat ride to Rabbit Island), the Cedars of Lebanon (overnight stay).
  4. Sunday, July 07: Guided hike to the Qornet as-Sawda (the highest peak), picnic lunch at Oyoun Orghoush (Lebanese mezza BBQ), Bsharreh (the Gibran Khalil Gibran Museum).
  5. Saturday, July 13: Deir el Qamar, Beiteddine palace, Ksara, Baalbeck.
  6. Saturday, July 20: Sidon (sea castle, souk), Tyre (archaeological site)
  7. Sunday, July 21: Byblos beach.

- Monday, July 22: Departure from Beirut.

Program Costs

For the current projected costs for this program, please click on the following link to the Fees for JMU Study Abroad Programs page.

Accommodations

Students will stay in residence halls/dormitories for the duration of the program. All meals will be covered by the program fee. Group meals will be provided.

Application Information

For more detailed instructions and to download the application, please click on the following link to the Applications and Forms section for JMU Short-Term Programs.

**Some courses offered on this program require prerequisites. Please refer to the following:

  • For ARAB 212: ARAB 102 or 111
  • For ARAB 300: ARAB 232 or 212
  • For ARAB 447 and 448: ARAB 300

This program is intended for students who wish to complete their two-year or three-year language requirement and would be of most benefit for students wishing to minor or major in Arabic.

Select from the following: