As you approach your senior year of high school, you start considering the university you’ll attend and whether or not you want to study abroad. This can be one of the most confusing times for students since they are unsure of where to go to get the best education while also living somewhere that will offer a rich experience. The Middle East offers a rich experience and top notch universities so that studying can be done on and off campus.
Lebanon
Lebanon is regarded as one of the top tourist locations in the Middle East. Lebanese people are highly approachable as most residents are bilingual in English and Arabic. The general atmosphere of the country is quite friendly, allowing you to have a fulfilling social life while you study abroad there. The majority of universities in Lebanon provide degrees in environmental and social sciences as well as engineering, business, urban planning, and computer science. For example, The American University of Beirut (AUB) offers a study abroad program where applicants must have completed at least sophomore year or it’s equivalent at their home universities. Admission is offered normally for two terms. AUB offers registration that may be extended to a third term depending on course offerings and achievements in courses. Despite a current financial crises, Lebanon remains a go to hot spot for students looking for a rich cultural experience.
The American University of Beirut
UAE
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a young, dynamic country renowned for its safety, variety and political stability. The UAE can be a fantastic destination for studying abroad and finding a job there upon graduation. We are talking about a county that is dedicated to improving higher education by heavily investing in it. United Arab Emirates University, Khalifa University, American University of Sharjah, and the University of Sharjah are some of the top universities that offer a number of study abroad programs.
When studying in the UAE, Dubai is a destination you can’t overlook as it provides its guests with spectacular sights. For example, Burj Khalifa, the tallest man-made structure in the world, along with water parks, aquariums, gardens, museums, and zoos, are all worth visiting.
University of Sharjah
Saudi Arabia
With a significant portion of its annual budget going toward education, Saudi Arabia has one of the Middle East’s fastest-growing higher education institutions. There, a number of universities offer the most recent technologies required for lab work and cutting-edge research, giving students access to excellent facilities and resources. There are more than 25 public universities. But these are the ones with the highest rankings: Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, King Khalid University, Jouf University, King Abdulaziz University, and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals. It’s also encouraging to know that Saudi Arabian colleges are giving students access to major opportunities in the oil industry, IT, finance, manufacturing, construction, and banking.
If you choose to study abroad, Saudi Arabia offers amazing scenery and stunning landscapes that you will adore. For instance, Jebel Fihrayn, The Judah Thumb, and Yellow Lake are wonderful places for students to go to get away from their studies and re-connect with nature.
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
Jordan
Jordan, is a wonderful historical city with more than 100,000 historical, religious, and tourist attractions. Since Amman is one of the oldest continually inhabited citiess and is home to Roman artifacts from the Paleolithic Period, it is where the majority of Jordan study abroad programs are headquartered. The most well-known universities there offering study abroad programs is the University of Jordan, German Jordanian University. Business & Management, Engineering Sciences, Mathematics, Informatics, and Computer Science are the most sought-after majors in those universities and part of the study abroad programs available.
While you’re there, you can go to Jordan to see Petra, float in the Dead Sea, and go canyoning in Wadi Mujib. In addition to this, Jordanian cuisine is excellent! When you get there, you won’t be able to stop eating Galayet Bandora, Labneh, and Moutabel.
University of Jordan
Egypt
In 2016, Egypt was the third-largest destination for international degree-seeking students within the MENA region, behind Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with inbound mobility having shot up to 51k students from an estimated 27k international students in 2003, according to the World Education Service. Now Egypt is making a comeback with top-notch universities such as the American University in Cairo, British University in Egypt (BUE), German University in Cairo, and Cairo University who all offer a number of study abroad & joint programs with international universities.
What makes Egypt unique is its location which would help you travel to other study abroad programs (if you want)and check out neighbouring countries. In addition to seeing the Giza pyramids while you’re in Cairo, you should also go on a Nile river cruise, visit the Egyptian museum, and hike Mount Sinai. The food is also a great aspect of Egyptian life as you won’t be able to get enough of koshary and other local dishes.
Cairo University
Each of these cities present an exquisite opportunity for students to get there hands on good education but also an experience that will see them interact with locals and experience other facets of life. A cone to broaden their horizons and learn more abut the region.
