The Office of International Programs (OIP) promotes internationalization and diversity at AUB by initiating, developing, and administering institutional partnerships that foster both incoming and outgoing students, faculty, and staff mobility. Through its Study Abroad Program, OIP promotes exchange opportunities and advises AUB students, faculty, and staff wishing to pursue international academic experiences that are academically challenging, professionally relevant, and personally engaging. OIP supports all international students at AUB, enabling them to integrate into the community and enjoy a rich academic and cultural experience.
Contact Information
West Hall, 3rd floor, Rooms 320, 322, 324
Tel: +961-1-374374 ext. 3186, 3176, 3146
International Student Services
The Office of International Programs provides support to all international students studying at AUB by providing the following services:
- Pre-arrival support and visa assistance (following admission to AUB).
- On-site orientation, mentoring, and intercultural activities. Explanation of public government services, processes, and procedures on campus.
- Assistance in obtaining student residence permits and/or following up on transactions at immigration authorities.
- Support with reporting theft or loss of legal identification documents at local authorities.
- Forums (both electronic and in-person) for interaction with other AUB student populations.
- For international degree-seekers, advice on studying abroad as part of their AUB degree.
Visas and Residence Permits
International students joining AUB who do not hold a Lebanese passport or Lebanese identity card must have their foreign passports valid for a period of no less than 12 months from the date of joining the university. Non-Lebanese students should also check with the nearest Lebanese Embassy or consulate in their country as to whether they require an entry visa in order to legally enter Lebanon or are eligible to obtain an entry visa at the airport. The OIP may assist students in securing their visas to Lebanon. Students who wish to benefit from OIP visa assistance must indicate this in their confirmation letters upon acceptance. Further information can be found on the OIP website.
Once registered at AUB, all students who do not hold Lebanese passports and wish to stay for longer than the duration of their visas are required to obtain a residence permit before the expiration of the entry visa they received. Students must apply for this permit within one month of arrival in Beirut and ONLY after registering and paying AUB tuition fees.
The Office of International Programs, in coordination with the Office of the Registrar, helps provide the necessary certificates for registered non-Lebanese students in obtaining residence permits from the Lebanese authorities. Information about obtaining a residence permit is communicated at the beginning and throughout each term and is posted on the OIP website.
Study Abroad and Student Exchange
AUB undergraduate students may spend a year or a term abroad in an approved program of study without losing their status at AUB. They may apply to an established program at a university that has an exchange agreement with AUB or initiate their own proposal for study abroad at an accredited university of their choice. In both cases, an application (see below), approval of their faculty/school, as well as clearance from The Office of International Programs (OIP) are required. Study abroad and exchange programs provide students with the opportunity to travel to another country, experience a new culture, and build connections with students and faculty members at host institutions. These in-person interactions form an integral part of the experience. As such, only in-person study abroad and exchange programs are approved at AUB.
Definitions
Exchange Students
Students on exchange programs at universities with which AUB has bilateral exchange agreements, pay the usual AUB tuition rate appropriate to a 15-credit course load.
Study Abroad Students
Students on study abroad programs at universities with which AUB does not have a bilateral exchange agreement will pay the host university fees at the receiving institution. However, they must continue to pay the AUB miscellaneous fees as applicable. Summer abroad students are waived the AUB miscellaneous fees.
Students wishing to go on exchange or study abroad programs must complete the AUB Study Abroad Course Approval Petition and the host university’s application. Students are responsible for the completion of both sets of application forms by the assigned deadlines.
Procedures for Study Abroad and Exchange Students
To spend a term or up to a year abroad, all students must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Students must have completed 24 credits at the sophomore level at AUB to apply for up to a yearlong study abroad program, unless applying for a summer abroad program.
- Freshmen students may spend a summer abroad upon the completion of 24 credits.
- Students may earn a maximum of 30 credits in a study abroad program without losing their status as AUB students.
- Students must meet the AUB residency requirements as stipulated in the General University Academic Information section.
- Students may not exchange or study abroad during their final term at AUB.
- To be considered for exchange and study abroad programs, students should have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Students will receive credit for all course work completed abroad as long as:
a. the relevant academic departments at AUB have pre-approved the courses through the Study Abroad Online Petition System.
b. students have achieved a minimum passing grade equivalent to the AUB grade of C+. Credits received on study abroad and exchange programs are considered to be transfer credits and will show as pass/fail on the AUB transcript.
c. the host university provides an official transcript of record directly to the Office of International Programs. An official transcript from the host institution must be received by AUB in order for credits to be successfully transferred.
d. none of the courses taken is online, but up to 25 percent taken may be hybrid.
e. Certificate of Physical Attendance is required.
Note:
a. Courses taken abroad may be accepted at AUB and need the approval of the chairperson of the academic department offering the course at AUB AND the Academic and Curriculum Committee of the student’s faculty/school.
b. Courses that may satisfy the AUB General Education (GE) requirements must be approved by the GE committee. Students are required to submit a petition through their respective faculties for each course to be evaluated.
c. The maximum academic load during a regular term abroad is equivalent to 17 AUB credits while the minimum is 12. Students who opt to take more than 17 or less than 12 AUB credits, must submit a petition to their faculty/school and provide OIP with proof of approval prior to going abroad. Nevertheless, no more than 30 credits can be transferred back to AUB.
d. Students who decide to change one or more of their pre-approved courses once they are at the host university must contact their department chair by email and submit the Study Abroad Petition for approval of the replacement or added course(s) within one month of the beginning of the AUB term; otherwise, students risk not being granted the course transfer upon return to AUB.
Registration Process at AUB for Students who are Approved to go on Study Abroad or Exchange Programs
To maintain their status as active students at AUB while abroad, students are required to:
- submit the completed AUB Study Abroad Course Approval Petition by the assigned deadline.
- attend a mandatory OIP pre-departure meeting.
- complete the Final Confirmation and Clearance Form and submit it to OIP by the assigned deadline.
- pay all fees due to AUB by the assigned deadline.
- not register for classes at AUB or at any other institution of higher learning, either in-person or online, where there is an overlap in time.
Once students complete all of the steps above, their registration status will appear as EXPR (Study Abroad) or EXCH (Exchange), depending on the type of program they wish to be enrolled in. Students will then be able to maintain access to AUBsis and online library resources. Study abroad and exchange students will have the same privileges as continuing students on campus.
Credit Transfer for Students Upon Return From Their Term or Year Abroad
- Students should be sure to obtain an official transcript from the host university and request to have it sent directly to the Office of International Programs:
Hardcopy official transcripts should be mailed to the following OIP Mailing Address: AUB/Office of International Programs, West Hall, 3rd Floor, Room 320, 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon.
Electronic official transcripts: If your host university only issues electronic transcripts, these must be certified by an official of the university with a certificate provided by a recognized security vendor or be encrypted and only accessible to the recipient and should be emailed to [email protected]. - Students should submit an Exchange or Study Abroad Testimonial Survey.
For a complete list of exchange and other study abroad options at AUB, or to review the guidelines for study abroad, visit:
www.aub.edu.lb/oip or Room 320 in West Hall.
Study Away – AUB and AUB Mediterraneo
Eligible AUB and AUB Mediterraneo students can spend up to a full academic year (two regular terms) in addition to one summer term at the host campus. The following conditions must be met to establish eligibility:
- Undergraduate students must be registered as full-time students at their home campus. They must have successfully completed at least twelve (12) credits or twenty-four (24) ECTS of study at their home campus prior to applying for study away.
- Undergraduate students are not allowed to study away during their final term of study.
For AUB students, this mobility program offers the opportunity for taking part in undergraduate programs at AUB Mediterraneo that can enhance their academic, personal, and professional development.
Credit Transfer
AUB and AUB – Mediterraneo students participating in this mobility program will receive the credits and grades associated with the course work completed at the host campus as long as the relevant academic departments/programs at the home campus have pre-approved the courses. All academic rules and regulations will apply at the “home campus” once the students return from the Study Away program, as per the study guide for AUB Mediterraneo students and the University Catalogue for AUB students.
OIP facilitates several study abroad and exchange programs including Erasmus+ for undergraduate students. AUB’s growing number of international partner institutions are listed on the following website: https://www.aub.edu.lb/oip/pages/search.aspx.
OIP Resources for Faculty
The Office of International Programs provides information for faculty on international standards of practice for credit transfer and grade transfer upon request. In addition, OIP maintains a current listing of institutions/consortia/universities with which AUB maintains formal institutional agreements for purposes of student, staff, and faculty mobility. Please note that exchange agreements cannot be put into effect at AUB without the approval of the provost. Guidelines for setting up new international academic exchange agreements and other institutional relationships are available by request from the director.