SURVIVAL GUIDE

Packing up your life and moving to another country for a year can be a daunting and even scary experience. However, it can also be a very exciting and fun adventure.

You are about to embark on an adventure at Middle East University. Most of this adventure involves figuring out some things on your own and experiencing mishaps, but we decided to give you some packing guidelines and some helpful hints that we hope will make the start of your adventure more enjoyable and a little less stressful.

Think of it as a set of guidelines or suggestions, not rules. Enjoy and don't be afraid to try new things, have crazy adventures, and learn Arabic!

From,Returned ACA students who know what you will be going through

DEAR FUTURE ACA LEBANON STUDENT,

CHURCH CLOTHESThere is a church on campus. You can dress how you wish, but you should be respectful.

ATHLETIC CLOTHESThere are sports activities, a gymnasium, and a workout room on campus.

SWIMSUITYou should definitely bring a swimsuit.

THE ESSENTIALS: CLOTHES

DRESS CODEThere is a dress code. Make sure you dress modestly and respectfully. The dress code is a lot like Southern’s. Dorms have banquets, and vespers attire is great for such occasions.

WINTER CLOTHESYou don’t really need winter clothes unless you are going to ski. It does rain a lot so rain boots and rain coats are important.

SUMMER CLOTHESYou also need to bring summer clothes. It will be hot outside when you arrive and when you leave.

January February March April May June

50-61 50-62 52-65 58-71 63-75 69-80

July August September October November December

73-84 75-85 72-83 68-80 59-72 53-64

Average Low and High Temperatures in Beirut, Lebanon (˚F)

WALKING SHOESYou will do a lot of walking. There is a lot of walking if you are going into town or to the mall. There are a lot of trips also, and you will be walking most of the time.

FLIP-FLOPSYou may want these for the showers on campus. Keep in mind that men have community showers in the dorms whereas the women have their own bathroom in their room.

THE ESSENTIALS: CLOTHES

BIBLE

The university will give you an Arabic Bible, but you may want to bring a Bible

in your own language. It is also nice to have a dual-language Bible, but you should

buy it before you go abroad.

JOURNAL

You’ll want this to keep track of your memories. You can also keep a photo journal

of your experiences, or start a blog online.

THE ESSENTIALS: SCHOOL

BRING A COMPUTER AND/OR A WI-FI DEVICE WITH A WEBCAMSkype is one of the most convenient ways to communicate with friends and familyin the U.S.

EXTERNAL HARD DRIVEYou should have an extra place to store your pictures and back up your computer in case your computer gets stolen or ruined. It would be a good idea to back up your files online.

CAMERALebanon is full of beauty, and you will want to capture it to show your family and friends back home.

CELL PHONESYou can buy your own phone before you go abroad. Make sure it is an unlocked GSM phone with SIM card capability. The school provides you with a SIM card.

VOLTAGE CONVERTERIf you have a MAC, you don’t really need one; if you have a PC, you definitely need one.

THE ESSENTIALS: ELECTRONICS

HYGIENIC PRODUCTSThere are stores where you can buy soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc. However, they cost more there than in the United States. You should bring these essentials from home.

RECOMMENDED: TOILETRIES

MOVIESBring action movies. The people there really prefer watching our films instead of Arabic ones, so bring ones that you can share with everyone.

REMEMBER YOU ARE THERE TO LEARN ARABICDo NOT bring lots of English media. When you do feel like watching something in English, they have a lot of English media available.

DEVOTIONAL BOOK IN ENGLISHThis keeps your spirituality accessible and separate from the frustrations of another language.

DEVOTIONAL BOOK IN ARABICThis will help you connect your spirituality with Arabic and help you learn religious words.

PICTURES FROM HOMEPut them on your dorm room wall! Your roommates and friends will love to see what your family looks like, and the pictures will help with homesickness.

RECOMMENDED: ENTERTAINMENT

MAKEUP AND FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTSThere are stores where you can buy makeup and feminine care products. However, they are more expensive than the ones in the Unites States. You should bring these essential products from home. For ethnic-specific products, there are a couple of stores that sell hair products for all hair types. But, like the other products, these are way more expensive.

FOR THE LADIES

THEFTThere is not much risk of theft on campus. However, it is always a good idea to keep your room locked when you are not there.

LAUNDRYThere is a laundry room located on each floor of the women’s dorm. You are expected to bring your own laundry detergent, but you do not have to pay for use of the machines. There are no dryers, but there are clotheslines where you can dry your clothes. The men’s dorm is also equipped with washers. Bring clothes that can handle the sun and air drying.

GOOD TO KNOW: EVERYDAY

EMERGENCY CLOTHES Pack a couple days worth of clothes in your carry-on bag in case your luggage gets lost.

COOKINGThere is a kitchen equipped with pots and pans. Everyone shares in the responsibility of keeping them clean and in their place. Also, a meal plan is required.

PACKAGESYou will be able to pick up packages at the front desk of the dorms where you will be staying. There is something like a tax that you have to pay when you pick up your package.

CHECK YOUR COURSESMake sure you compare your courses with those of your home college and make sure that they will count for something when you get back.

DORMSThey charge you extra for air conditioning in the summer so be prepared for that.

BRING A CREDIT CARD/DEBIT CARD This is a must-have. If you bring a debit card bring a credit card as well, just in case. Make sure that credit cards work in Lebanon and the surrounding countries. HSBC is the only bank that is the same one that we have here.

EXCHANGING MONEYThe school will exchange the money for you. They know the best places to exchange, so just ask them when you need to make this transaction.

EXCHANGE RATEhttp://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/convert/?Amount=1&From=EUR&To=USD

GOOD TO KNOW: MONEY

PASSPORTSKeep your passport with you at all times while traveling. Do not leave it unattended. It should be kept in a safe place while traveling and during your stay at the dorms.

OTHER IMPORTANT DOCUMENTSMake sure you have all your papers when you arrive and when you leave Lebanon (visa, birth certificate, etc.). During the year, make sure all documents are stored in an inconspicuous, locked area. Make and keep copies of all important documents.

GOOD TO KNOW: DOCUMENTS

BRING SNACKSNutritious, compact snacks will be useful when traveling.

CLOTHES AND SHOES FOR HIKINGThere isn’t much hiking to do but definitely a lot of walking that needs to be done, so be ready for that.

TRAVEL TIPS

BACKPACKThe best way to carry your stuff with you when you travel is in a backpack because it stays close to your body and is as mobile as you are. Bring one large enough to fit all your stuff, but also small enough to qualify as carry-on luggage on all flights.

PACKINGDon’t bring a lot of clothes. Bring just enough so that you will be comfortable. Remember that your roommates may not have very much. You will also need room in your suitcase for all of your awesome souvenirs!

VALUABLESDon't bring a lot of nice, expensive things. Nice clothing may be ruined in the laundry or lost. You also do not want to be perceived as flaunting your fancy clothes and electronics.

TRAVEL TIPS

BE NICE. When needing to talk to advisors, teachers or even peers at the school, it is more likely that they will help if you are nice first. Outside of school, try not to argue with vendors; just smile, disconnect eye contact, and keep walking if you are not interested in their merchandise.

BE FRUGAL. Everyone's financial situation is different, but the more money you can hang on to, the more confident you will be when traveling. Always try to find good deals and live cheaply. Occasionally, it is fun to splurge on a nice dinner, show, or clothing item. Save up for the trip because it can be an expensive one.

TALK TO PEOPLE. One of the best ways to learn about the local culture is by chatting with people on transportation, or in markets. They will have plenty of questions to ask you, too.

BE AWARE. Pay attention to your surroundings. Be aware that things could go wrong. They do advise you which areas not to go to, so follow that advice.

ENJOY YOURSELF