LEBANON - ISEP Lebanese American University

To be eligible to participate in this program, students must meet the following requirements:

• Good academic and judicial standing during time of application AND time of participation in program
• Undergraduates must have completed at least two semesters of study at Lake Forest College AND have junior status or higher before participation. 
• At least 18 years of age by the program’s departure date. 
• Be able to stay at the host program for the duration of the semester, including through the exam and travel periods
• Minimum GPA of 2.75.  

Students applying to ISEP must apply for an Exchange option (in any country) as a first choice but may apply to a Direct option as a back-up. Direct options may have an additional cost (see a financial section for more information).

Located at the center point of the Middle East and West; of Christianity and Islam; of tradition and modernity, Lebanon is sure to be a place where you will engage with new and diverse perspectives. LAU’s Beirut and Byblos campuses are both home to national cuisine, beach resorts, and ancient harbors. A walkable city, you will be able to feast on traditional Lebanese Mezza, relax on the beach and visit some of its most celebrated sites such as the temple of Bacchus and the ruins of Baalbek in between classes. 

Beirut Campus 

The Beirut campus is nestled amid a cluster of high-rises on a hillside, just steps away from the stimulating cultural, social, educational and recreational opportunities of Lebanon’s capital.

This is the university’s foundation site as a women’s college in the early 20th century. The first building on the site was Sage Hall, erected in 1933.

Campus Website

Byblos Campus 

The Byblos campus extends LAU’s presence 35 kilometers north of Beirut. It is situated in the hillside Blat district, overlooking the ancient city of Byblos (Jbeil) and the Mediterranean Sea.

Six times larger than the Beirut campus, the site has developed steadily since its inception in 1987 to include a growing number of buildings that cater to all of LAU’s seven schools.

The Chagoury Health Sciences Center, an impressive facility built specifically for the medicine, nursing and pharmacy programs, is the most recent addition.

Plans for the years ahead include new academic, research and administrative buildings, a library and student center, a sports center and a small forest.

Campus Website

The Lebanese American University is a leading, nonsectarian, private higher education institution in Lebanon. It operates under a charter from the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York and is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

LAU offers diverse programs within seven different schools including Arts and Sciences, Architecture and Design, Business, Engineering, Medicine and Pharmacy. Through the Office of International Services, incoming international students are supported to have the best international experience in the Middle East. LAU offers courses in English at their Beirut and Byblos campuses in addition to Arabic language courses for all levels and an Arabic Studies bachelor’s degree.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Website for Course Availability

Student Engagement 

The Outreach and Civic Engagement (OCE) at LAU has a mission to integrate civic engagement with the extra-curricular activities of LAU students on both campuses and to encourage students to broaden their horizons both within and outside Lebanon.

The OCE is already a beehive of volunteerism and activity, hosting leadership and civic engagement projects that are drawing on the expertise of our faculty, the enthusiasm and energy of our students and the professional dedication of our staff.

Beirut Campus 

The Beirut campus is home to two separate residence halls, Orme-Gray for women and Capital Suites for men. A supervisor and a team of assistants manage both dormitories.

The 34-room women’s dorm, Orme-Gray Hall, is conveniently located in the middle of LAU’s lush Beirut campus, just across the street from the Riyad Nassar Library. Residents share bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry facilities.

Capital Suites, for men, is just off campus and offers apartment-style living, complete with kitchenettes.

Both settings provide comfortable accommodations that meet students’ academic and social needs. Rooms are neatly furnished with beds, desks, cupboards, safe boxes, and bed sheets and covers. Cable TV, Internet connection, and internal telephone lines are also provided. The two buildings are equipped with central heating and cooling.

Lounges equipped with TVs and computers with Internet connections and other amenities provide social space and a venue for activities organized by the residence hall team. Students are also welcome to bring their personal sound system, small refrigerators, dishes and cutlery. Meals can be ordered from the cafeteria or any of the dozens of surrounding restaurants.

Because space is limited, students who wish to reside on campus must submit an application as soon as they’re accepted to LAU. For the application and other essential forms, guidelines, and procedures, please visit Applying for housing.

Byblos Campus 

The Byblos campus is home to 2 separate residence halls: Dorm B, a five-floor building divided into two wings, one for men and one for women, and Dorm C.  Suzy Saba and a team of assistants manage the two dormitories.

1. Dorm B, owned and operated by University Housing, is conveniently located, just across the street from the campus main gate. Dorm B houses 207  full-time students and offers four types of accommodation. Check the difference.
2. Dorm C, owned and operated by University Housing, is off campus just a few minutes’ walk (above Malik’s bookshop). Dorm C offers apartment-style living complete with kitchenettes, living/dining rooms, study rooms, lounge facilities and a baby-foot.

All settings provide comfortable accommodations that meet students’ academic and social needs. Wireless internet, cable, and individual air conditioning are available in all rooms. The halls also provide cleaning and maintenance services, 24-hour security, kitchen and laundry facilities, lounge facilities equipped with cable TV, DVD player, play station, computers, free internet access, billiard/baby-foot, and vending machines. The common areas (hallways, lounges, common rooms, elevators, and parking lots) are all monitored round-the-clock by CCTVs. All the apartments have a living room and a fully equipped kitchenette. A free shuttle service is provided between Dorm C and the campus.

Student resident assistants live on-site and help familiarize residents with the buildings and available resources as well as hall policies.

Because space is limited, students who wish to reside on campus must submit an application within the set dates. For the application and other essential forms, guidelines, and procedures, please visit Applying for housing.

For all approved programs for guaranteed financial aid transferability, students pay their Lake Forest College tuition plus a program fee. The program fee includes orientation, ISEP coordinator, college fees, housing, and the equivalent of 19/meals per week.  

Here is an estimated budget for the Fall 2018/Spring 2019 programs:

Tuition rates and program fees are subject to change each year, but this information was up-to-date as of September 2018. We will notify applicants, and update this page if the program fee or other estimates change.

You can discuss with Financial Aid your specific aid package and your expected family contribution.

Keep in mind that you may spend more or less in certain areas like personal expenses, travel, meals, or airfare, depending on exchange rates and your own spending habits. Classroom or lab fees are not included in this estimate and will depend on your course registration choices.  

Don’t forget to apply for scholarships! A great listing can be found here.