Maha Salam | Staff Writer
As the Israeli aggression on Lebanon intensified, schools and universities all throughout the country closed their doors and took up remote learning to ensure the well-being and safety of their students and staff. On Tuesday, September 24, the American University of Beirut’s president, Dr. Fadlo Khuri, officially announced the closure of the university following the Ministry of Education and Higher Education’s orders. This decision was issued after relentless Israeli bombing across southern Lebanon killed more than 550 people, injured 2,000 more and forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes on Monday, September 23.
The closure of AUB was the catalyst that prompted many of its students to flee the country – traveling to places of refuge such as Cyprus, Egypt, France, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, and more – with the United Nations estimating that nearly 300,000 people left the country since the start of the war and one million more had been internally displaced. There is no doubt that the ability to travel during such circumstances was a luxury only a few could afford, especially with many major airlines cancelling flights to Beirut, and Middle East Airlines only allowing a select number of trips to take place each day. Undoubtedly, it was no easy feat to leave under such harrowing circumstances.
Upon interviewing students who fled the country during the war, nearly all of them were not expecting their fall semester to take such a drastic turn. Granted, there was a festering sense of anxiety throughout the summer, compounded by the frequent sonic booms and the strike on South Beirut that killed many.
Then, the mass bombardments on South Beirut began. While the closure of AUB pushed students to make their reservations to leave, many also cited the fact that the main reason behind their decision to flee the country was their parents’ wish. In any case where students either had a say or not in the matter of leaving, parents were the primary factor behind their decision. Moreover, given the limited number of operating flights and tickets sold, many families had to split up and travel during different times, often prioritizing elders and younger children. For other students, what pushed them to leave Lebanon was the fact that their immediate family (parents and siblings) lived abroad. Specifically, these students either lived alone or with their extended family, and as such, left for the airport by themselves in order not to expose their family to danger on the road. This is important to note since getting to the airport was also a stressful endeavor for some students, as Rafic Hariri International Airport lies extremely close to bombing sites, and some feared a repeat of 2006, where major roads and highways as well as the airport itself would be targeted. This emotional distress did not cease upon boarding the plane, as flights would get delayed because of nearby bombardments, leaving passengers waiting anxiously on the flight ramp.
Upon reaching their destination, the students interviewed reported having mixed feelings of guilt and relief, but also of happiness since they were able to reunite with their family. Furthermore, some students mentioned having even more intense feelings of anxiety compared to when they were back in Lebanon: they would obsessively refresh their feeds for more information or doom scroll on social media so as to not miss anything that was happening. To add to this, students reported feeling totally disconnected from university and campus life. While there was no real “campus life” at that time, students abroad felt isolated from their peers, especially when it came to understanding their course material and overall grading. Those who were in countries with drastically different time zones struggled during instances where timing was crucial, such as online midterms, quizzes, and registration for the spring semester.
All these factors combined made it even more difficult when it came to final examinations. While most students were able to come back in time to present them in person, others had to present them in American universities abroad or petition for an incomplete grade on their record and consequently present them in the spring semester, weeks after their peers would have been done with their exams. So even in countries of utmost safety, the prolonged uncertainties of the war placed enormous strain on the mental health of displaced students who found it difficult to maintain focus on their academic responsibilities. These uncertainties were not only tied to their education but also to their homes, family members who stayed behind, and the potential for a return to their homeland.
Ultimately, the war between Lebanon and Israel drastically altered the lives of countless AUB students. Regardless of where they ended up, students faced emotional, academic, and financial hardships. Feelings of guilt, frustration, and helplessness lingered long after their initial displacement, whether it be internal or external. While support networks and online counseling services provided by the university helped students come to terms with their traumatic experiences, this tumultuous period is sure to leave a lasting impact on our lives.
Sources:
https://reliefweb.int/report/lebanon/lebanon-situation-report-december-13-2024
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2006/7/14/israel-bombs-beirut-airport-again