Getting Started

Are you wondering how to proceed? It is simple. Below is the practical information you need about the application process. The International Affairs Office (IAO) will support you throughout your stay with the processing of your documents, admission, registration, accommodation, visa, and life in Lebanon. We are here to help answer all your questions and we encourage you to remain in close contact with us to make your stay as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

International Affairs Office (IAO)
Holy Spirit University of Kaslik
P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon

Regular office hours
Mondays to Fridays, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tel.: +961 9 600 321 Fax: +961 9 600 301
E-mail: iao@usek.edu.lb

Academic Year
Fall Semester : Early September to late December
Spring Semester : Late January to late May

Application dates and procedures
Deadline for applications
For the Fall Semester : June 15
For the Spring Semester : November 15

The international affairs office of your home university should send your official nomination to the IAO at USEK by these deadlines. At this point, you can start preparing your admission file according to the checklist below.

Your checklist

• Your admission file: For Undergraduate studies ; For Graduate studies
• A copy of your passport
• Two passport-size photos
• The official letter of nomination from your home university
• An official transcript
• A copy of your health insurance

N.B.: You may send your admission documents by email to iao@usek.edu.lb. However, please keep the original documents because you will need to present them on your arrival at USEK.

The IAO will process your application and inform you of the decision. In case of a favorable decision, you will receive an official letter of acceptance along with the course offering so you may choose your courses. It is highly recommended that you check our academic calendar for important dates, such as registration deadlines and semester starting dates.

The course offering is available on the USEK website. Please note that courses offered in the Fall Semester are different from those offered in the Spring Semester and that your course selection must be approved by your home university ahead of your arrival.

N.B.:

• Submitting the admission file does not guarantee official registration. Course registration should be completed online according to USEK registration guidelines.
• If your home university does not have an agreement with USEK, you may apply as a visiting student. Please note that the same procedure as for exchange students applies; however, a visiting student is responsible for paying their tuition fees at USEK.

Before you Get Here

Visa Procedures
Incoming exchange students must obtain a student visa in order to study at USEK.
If you are planning to study at USEK for one semester (less than six months), you may apply for a 6-month visa at the Lebanese embassy or consulate of your home country. Your USEK acceptance letter is to be submitted as proof of the reason of your stay in Lebanon.

If you are planning to study at USEK for more than one semester, you will need a one-year student residence permit. To this end, you can either:

• Apply for a 3-month visa at the Lebanese consulate of your home country.

Or
Enter Lebanon on a one-month tourist visa you can obtain upon your arrival at the airport (please check the list of countries to which this would apply). This free-of-charge visa is valid for one month and is renewable for three additional months. You will then have to apply for a student residence permit at the Lebanese General Directorate of General Security with the following documents:

• An application form (available at the General Directorate of General Security)
• A passport valid for at least three years, as well as two photocopies of it
• Three recent 3.5 x 4.5 photos
• A certificate of registration at USEK certified by the Ministry of Education in Lebanon
• A proof that all expenses of your stay in Lebanon will be covered (e.g., bank statement, credit cards)
• A statement that you will not be doing any remunerated work during your stay in Lebanon (to be done with a notary public for around 25 USD*)
• A visa fee of 300,000 LBP, which may vary according to the official listed prices.

* Actual notary public fees in LBP may vary according to the LBP/USD exchange rate.

N.B.: Entry to Lebanon will be denied for the holders of passports bearing a visa stamp from Israel.

Housing
USEK offers an on-campus university residence for female students only. The IAO will also provide you with a list of apartments and dorms in the area to help you find suitable accommodation.

Cost of Living
The cost of living is estimated at about 700 USD* per month, with approximate costs detailed below:

• Accommodation: between 350 – 450 USD
• Food : 150 USD
• Public transport: 100 USD
• Miscellaneous: 100 USD

Registration and Credit System
USEK follows the American-style credit system. Undergraduate students may register for 12 to 18 credits per semester while graduate students are allowed a load of 3 to 9 credits. Registration is completed online according to the  USEK academic calendar. The IAO will provide you with the details of your account and will put you in contact with your head of department to complete your registration in due time.

NOW THAT YOU HAVE REACHED LEBANON

Welcome Sessions
Every semester, the IAO organizes a welcome session for all international students. Attendance is compulsory for exchange students as it provides important relevant details for their stay. You will be informed of the date of this session ahead of time, so you can plan your arrival at USEK accordingly.

Be-a-Buddy Program
Arriving in a new country and a new university can be exciting, but it may also entail some challenges. To help you have a good start at USEK, the IAO launched its Be-a-Buddy Program. You will be paired with a local USEK student who will provide you with practical information about the University, introduce you to its student life, and help you settle in.

Your “buddy” will:

• Help you avoid a potential culture shock
• Help you adapt to your new environment
• Introduce you to other Lebanese friends
• Help you with the administrative steps
• Show you around and familiarize you with the campus
• Help you look for accommodation
• Accompany you on sightseeing trips.

During your Stay

Learn Arabic at USEK
During their stay, exchange students can learn Arabic at USEK, whether dialectical Lebanese (spoken) or classical (written) Arabic. Different levels are offered to suit your existing language knowledge.

Visit the USEK Library
The USEK Library occupies a prominent place in the Middle East as one of the richest libraries in the region. Located in Building A at the Kaslik campus, it provides students with a place to study, do research, and access a range of resources, including books, articles, and special document archives. Exchange students can benefit from its various services using their USEK student ID.

Enjoy Healthy Snacks at our University Restaurant
Located at the heart of campus, the University Restaurant provides students with daily full meals at affordable prices. It is open on weekdays and serves a wide range of food and beverages.

Benefit from our Digital Services
USEK always strives to offer all students computing and communication services of the highest quality and the best of new technologies. The standard services provided include:

• A mailbox for students upon their registration
• Self-service PCs with quality assistance
• Wi-Fi connection.

Attend our Cultural and Entertainment Events
USEK cultivates a strong feeling of belonging among its students thanks to its welcoming student life and the multiple services it offers. In addition to formal courses, student life at USEK is multi-faceted and offers many occasions to develop new skills and knowledge and build a network of contacts through its student magazine, social associations, pastoral work, cultural trips, student parties, and so much more.

The University organizes gatherings and events on campus for all international students, as well as tours and visits to the most important tourist sites in the region. Activities and events are also organized to encourage Lebanese and international students to mingle and share new experiences. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, some events are held online to maintain our usual activities. Whenever regular activities are organized on campus, COVID safety measures are fully applied.

Stay in Shape at USEK
USEK is keen on educating student minds and bodies alike by offering a broad range of sports activities, including basketball, volleyball, football, tennis, table tennis, oriental dance, yoga, and skiing.

You have made the exciting decision to come to Lebanon. As you begin to plan your stay, there are some very important safety tips to be taken into consideration. To this end, the IAO strongly advises you to abide by the following recommendations to avoid any potential threats or risks and make sure you have a smooth stay in Lebanon.

Register with your embassy

When you arrive to Lebanon, make sure you register with the embassy or consulate of your country to obtain a short-stay visa. The IAO will provide you with the USEK acceptance/invitation letter, which will help you acquire a residence permit.

Keep your residence permit with you

It is recommended that you always keep your residence permit and/or other valid ID with you during your stay in Lebanon.

Stay informed

Check the media daily to stay informed of ongoing events and avoid going to regions or cities where unpredictable situations might develop.

Stay alert

Whenever you feel you are in a strange situation, always be cautious and walk away from potential trouble. Avoid being alone in unknown/uncomfortable places and always keep your roommate, friends, or hosts informed of your schedule and destination. Do not accept rides with strangers and always book taxis from well-known companies.

Refer to the IAO

If you have any questions/doubts or need additional information, the IAO is here to help. You can ask any questions that come to mind, and we will help provide you with everything you need to have a pleasant stay at USEK.

A cost-free visa for a one-month duration, extendable to three months, is granted to travelers from the following countries* (in alphabetical order respectively):

Algeria – Bahrain – Comoros Islands – Djibouti – Egypt – Ghana – Iraq – Ivory Coast – Jordan – Kuwait – Libya – Mauritania – Morocco – Nigeria – Oman – Qatar – Saudi Arabia – Somalia – Sudan – Syria – Tunisia – United Arab Emirates – Yemen – Andorra – Antigua and Barbuda – Argentina – Armenia – Australia – Austria – Azerbaijan – Bahamas – Barbados – Belarus – Belgium – Belize – Bhutan – Brazil – Bulgaria – Canada – Chile – China (People’s Republic of) – Costa Rica – Croatia – Cyprus – Czech Republic – Denmark – Dominican Republic – Estonia – Finland – France – Georgia – Germany – United Kingdom – Greece – Holland – Hong Kong SAR – China – Hungary – Iceland – Iran – Ireland – Italy – Japan – Kirgizstan – Latvia – Liechtenstein – Lithuania – Luxembourg – Macau SAR – Macedonia – Malaysia – Malta – Mexico – Moldova – Monaco – Montenegro – New Zealand – Norway – Panama – Paraguay – Peru – Poland – Portugal – Romania – Russia – Samoa – San Marino – Serbia – Singapore – Slovakia – Slovenia – South Korea – Spain – St. Kitts & Nevis – Sweden – Switzerland – Tajikistan – Turkey – Turkmenistan – Ukraine – USA – Uzbekistan – Venezuela

* Source: https://www.general-security.gov.lb/en/posts/38 (last checked and updated on 26/11/2021).

Have you been nominated by your home university to come to USEK on an exchange program for a semester or a year?

Once your application is processed by the international affairs office of your home university, you can fill in the application form and send us the documents below to iao@usek.edu.lb

• A passport-size photo
• A copy of your passport
• An official transcript
• A copy of your health insurance covering your stay at USEK.

This form is for our partner universities who would like to nominate their students online.

For more details, please contact us on iao@usek.edu.lb

The USEK International Summer School is an exciting program designed for international students, offering the opportunity to discover Lebanon from a wider and deeper perspective.

This online program combines interesting courses and social activities as a gateway to Lebanese culture and the Middle East region, offering a unique international experience over 4 weeks.

Are you interested in various cultures, customs and traditions, foreign languages, and new experiences abroad? Would you like to get a taste of all these while earning a higher education diploma? If yes, apply now for USEK’s International Students Scholarship Program.

Our scholarship will cover 50% of your tuition fees for a full Bachelor’s or Master’s program* at USEK in Lebanon. You will embark on an exciting journey, meet people from many backgrounds and cultures, and expand your worldview.

For more information, contact us at internationalscholarships@usek.edu.lb.

*Terms and conditions apply.