THE ESSENTIALS: CLOTHES · 2019-10-18 · Church clothes: There is a church on campus.You can dress...
Transcript of THE ESSENTIALS: CLOTHES · 2019-10-18 · Church clothes: There is a church on campus.You can dress...
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 clothes: There is a church on campus. You can dress how you wish, but you should be
respectful.
Athletic clothes: There are sports activities, a gymnasium, and a workout room on campus.
Swim suit: You should definitely bring a swim suit.
Dress code: There 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.
THE ESSENTIALS: CLOTHES
Winter clothes: You 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.
THE ESSENTIALS: CLOTHES
Summer clothes: You 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 shoes: You 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-flops: You 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.
International Student Identity card: Getting this card gives you a lot of
discounts while you travel.
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.
Bring a computer and or a Wi-Fi device with a webcam: Skype is one of the most
convenient ways to communicate with friends and family in the U.S.
External hard drive: You 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.
Camera: Lebanon is full of beauty, and you will want to capture it to show your family and
friends back home.
Cell phones: You 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 converter: If you have a MAC you don’t really need one, but if you have a PC you
definitely need one.
Hygienic products: There 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.
Movies: Bring 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 Arabic: Do 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 English: This keeps your spirituality accessible and separate from the
frustrations of another language.
Devotional book in Arabic: This will help you connect your spirituality with Arabic and help
you learn religious words.
Pictures from home: Put 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.
Makeup and feminine hygiene products: There 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.
Theft: There 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.
Laundry: There 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.
Emergency clothes: Pack a couple days worth of clothes in your carry-on bag in case your luggage
gets lost.
Cooking: There 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.
Packages: You 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 courses: Make sure you compare your courses with those of your home college and
make sure that they will count for something when you get back.
Dorms: They 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 money: The 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 rate:
http://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/co
nvert/?Amount=1&From=EUR&To=USD
Passports: Keep 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 documents: Make 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.
Bring snacks: Nutritious, compact
snacks will be useful when traveling.
Backpack: The best way to carry your
stuff with you when you travel is in a
backpack as 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.
Clothes and shoes for hiking:
There isn’t much hiking to do but
definitely a lot of walking that
needs to be done, so be ready for
that.
Packing: Don’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!
Valuables: Don'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.
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 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 cheap. 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.