We contacted an AUB prof we know - he was my husband’s office mate in grad school. DH and I spent time with him and his wife when we were in Beirut last year. He got right on the case and contacted school administrators. It’s a comfort knowing he’s nearby - he’s a nice guy but a bulldog! He will keep an eye on our son. He said he would have offered for DS to stay with him, but he lives right downtown in the middle of everything that’s been going on. He said his family is laying low.
DS went back to his apartment this morning to get some of his stuff and see his girlfriend. He said it’s peaceful so far.
The news reports I read said that the “riots” in Beirut were especially peaceful and upbeat, and uniquely nonsectarian. (There’s a viral video of protesters singing “Baby Shark.”)
I experienced a little of this last night. The walk to my parking lot took me through a rally by local Lebanese in sympathy with the protests in Beirut. While everyone was chanting slogans with familiar rhythms, but in Arabic, there was a distinct lack of rage. Everyone there seemed young, beautiful, and well-groomed, and there were tons of little children running around with Lebanese flags or hand-lettered signs. People were smiling and having a great time.
I do think the images you see on US media will often be the worst from what may be largely peaceful protests. When my son was in Jordan the fall after the Arab spring there were protests every Friday. Occassionally they got a little out of hand. The students in the program were told to stay away from the downtown. They did come close to closing the program at one point - I honestly can’t remember if that was when Israel and Syria decided to lob missiles at each other or when there was a death a some protest in another city. Anyway it turned out they had an evacuation plan in place. (Obviously a study abroad is a little different from attending a local university.) My point is mainly that if your kid is careful, he will very likely be fine. But it’s scary to be the parent with limited information. Hugs.
The protests have been most peaceful, but every once in awhile they turn a little hairy. I agree - I think it’s not as bad as my son is making out. He is hearing stories from friends who endured earlier periods of political unrest and it’s the possibilities of chaos that are scaring him.
He already heard back from Housing and they have given him permission to move into a dorm as soon as he’d like. He didn’t get notice until 7 pm Beirut time, so I think he’s going to wait until tomorrow.
DS is moving into a dorm today. It has gorgeous views of the Mediterranean!
I let our professor friend know and he responded that he was happy to hear it worked out. He also said that AUB has suspended classes indefinitely. Apparently, when they announced previously about reopening, people were angry, thinking that it was a ploy to get protesters off the streets. The students and professors convinced the administration that they should remain closed for now.
Now my niece is stranded in Colombia! She traveled there from Chile, where she has been studying this semester. Riots have spread to the Chilean city she’s been in. She can get back to Chile, but all domestic flights have been canceled. Her university’s classes have been suspended through Saturday, so she’s not missing anything at this point.
Geez MLH. You have had your hands full! He will be fine and he will be able to navigate life and situations better prepared than anyone I know. It will serve him well over time with his passion for helping others and knowing how to be proactive with his safety. Or make him decide to come back to USA. I bet he would be able to figure out the private road issue in Maine for you - no problem!
I don’t think anything is going to be resolved soon. I feel for universities dealing with thousands of young people at loose ends! I wonder what they will do.
Not much has changed. The positive side of this is that DS is getting to spend a lot of time with his girlfriend, who is from Syria. They have a lot of time to discuss their future, which is going to probably be complicated.
Why did your son choose Beirut to study? Is he able to still do his other work while the waiting for classes to resume? I think you have mentioned his refugee work and other activities but I don’t really understand how his work and school intertwine.
What is his hope, to return to the US, to live in the middle east in a safer country, to go to Syria? It is all so scary (for you and him).
His primary interest is in helping refugees. He did two separate programs during a 2 1/2-year break after high school in the Middle East and fell in love with the area and the people. He didn’t really care about going to college. But a family friend who has done relief work overseas told him he really needs a degree if he wants to work abroad. So he moved to Beirut in August, 2016 and enrolled in classes. Most semesters, he has taken all his classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays so that he can work in the refugee camp Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. He has mostly worked with a Christian group that gets supplies from a secular organization in Switzerland. The Christian group makes it clear that they will help anyone - their religion doesn’t matter.
He has raised extra money during the past week and a half. He’s bought food for refugees and also given them some money because they’re not getting paychecks for the time being. They say they will pay him back, but he knows not to expect anything.
He really doesn’t know what he’s going to do next. His Syrian girlfriend complicates matters! He comes up with a different plan weekly, no joke. The GF is a computer science major and graduates in May. If they decide to get married, she is willing to live in the US, although her parents will be devastated.
The Lebanese Prime Minister just resigned. I got a long voice mail from our friend who is a professor at AUB. He said that our son is in the safest place possible - all factions know how important the school is to the country and will not mess with it. Getting to the airport could be dangerous right now. He said to give it 24 hours and see what develops. He got choked up at the end of the message. This must bring back a lot of bad memories for the Lebanese people.
@MaineLonghorn Sending positive thoughts to your entire family during this difficult time. There is some comfort in knowing your son is in the safest place possible. Hopefully this will be peacefully resolved soon.
Apparently, when they announced previously about reopening, people were angry, thinking that it was a ploy to get protesters off the streets. The students and professors convinced the administration that they should remain closed for now.