Student Life at Beirut, Lebanon
Welcome to Beirut!
Welcome to Beirut, Lebanon, as part of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Programme. Since 1875, University Saint Joseph (USJ) has been a prime destination for over 15,000 students seeking a first-class education in Lebanon. Renowned for our diverse and dynamic community, USJ offers exciting programmes in business, engineering, and health sciences, along with international partnerships that provide a gateway to global opportunities.
At USJ, education goes beyond the classroom. It’s about making a difference through research and embracing all that Beirut has to offer. Whether you’re looking for the ideal place to stay or keen to explore the city’s rich culture, USJ is the perfect place where academic excellence and an incredible student life come together.
Join Saint-Joseph University of Beirut for EMJM Janus
Ready to become part of the USJ family? We’re all about uniting students from diverse backgrounds. We’re here for you.
The University’s mission is based on three pillars: the creation of new knowledge (research), the transmission of this knowledge (teaching), and the application of this knowledge to serve society (service). To fulfill this mission, USJ positions itself as a French-language and French-culture institution that promotes multiculturalism and trilingualism (French, English, and Arabic) and embraces innovation and digital transformation. Accessible to all social classes and communities, serving Lebanon and the Middle East, it promotes, in teaching and research, issues of sustainable development, the primacy of human rights, justice, democracy, dialogue between civilizations, and questions of meaning. USJ is a university open to the world: it belongs to nearly a hundred regional and international inter-university networks and has more than 400 partners in some 50 countries. Its vision and mission are built around values that combine the Jesuit educational tradition, autonomy, collaboration, participation, freedom of conscience, political independence, and social commitment, all centered on academic, professional, and ethical training of excellence, complemented by an authentic culture based on questions of meaning, in the service of promoting individuals.
Saint Joseph University Beirut also administers the Hôtel-Dieu de France, its university hospital, and a network of hospitals throughout Lebanon. It also administers the Dental Care Center, the Speech Therapy Diagnosis and Care Center, the Psychomotor Diagnosis, Care, and Research Center, and the University Psychological Care Center. USJ supports several affiliated institutes and associations, including the Berytech technology hub, the Health Technology Hub (PTS), and the Research and Development Society.
In 2019 and again in 2025, Saint Joseph University in Beirut obtained unconditional institutional accreditation from the European agency ACQUIN (Accreditation, Certification and Quality Assurance Institute). More than twenty of its programs are accredited by American, European, and Canadian agencies.
The History and International Relations Department (HRI) of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities
The HRI department offers a unique program combining history and international relations. This program covers three cycles—bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate—training professionals and researchers specializing in international relations.
The courses offered combine historical culture with a multidisciplinary approach to international relations. Special attention is given to the Middle East, with its dynamics of integration and withdrawal, which make it one of the most sensitive areas in the world. Former heads of state and leading figures from the national and international political scene are regularly invited to share their experience with students. The department has also developed student exchanges with numerous partner universities.
Explore our programs and embark on a fulfilling study period as a proud student of Saint-Joseph University of Beirut!
Why USJ?
- Our unique location – Beirut is a historic Mediterranean metropolis, open to the world, where European, Arab and Levantine influences meet, offering students a truly intercultural experience.
- A city-centre university – USJ’s main campuses are embedded in the urban fabric of Beirut, with easy access to libraries, lecture halls, student spaces, cafés, cultural venues and key institutions.
- A strong international and multilingual profile – USJ is a francophone university with a long tradition of international cooperation, offering programmes in French, English and Arabic and welcoming students from diverse backgrounds.
- Academic support – faculties and programme coordinators provide guidance for building your study plan, following your academic progress and integrating into your host department.
- Student support – central services and international offices are available to help with enrolment procedures, practical questions related to life in Beirut, and orientation to local services.
- A vibrant campus life – student associations, cultural and artistic events, conferences, debates and community‑oriented projects contribute to a dynamic and engaged university community.
Your time at Saint Joseph University of Beirut will be an opportunity to experience university life in Lebanon, discover the city of Beirut and develop new academic, linguistic and intercultural skills that will enrich your JANUS Joint Master’s journey.
The Vice-Rectorate for International Relations VRRI@usj.edu.lb and the History and International Relations Department (HRI) of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities departement.hri@usj.edu.lb are the points of contact for international students wishing to join the EMJM Janus program.
Navigating Student Visas in Lebanon
It is strongly recommended that you apply for a visa covering the entire duration of your stay (multiple entries) at the Lebanese consulate closest to your place of residence. To obtain a visa, you must:
· Ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Lebanon.
· Have a certificate of admission from USJ
· Provide a document demonstrating your ability to finance your stay as a student. Scholarship recipients are not required to provide this certificate, which is replaced by proof of scholarship award
· The General Directorate of General Security may request additional documents
· The application must be submitted three months before the date of travel
· If a tourist visa is granted by one of the Lebanese missions abroad, the document must be signed and bear the official seal of the diplomatic mission concerned.
For more information: site de la Sûreté générale libanaise
Accomodation
Students spending a semester at Saint Joseph University in Beirut (USJ) have access to several housing options located near the main campuses and in the lively but safe neighborhoods of Achrafieh. These residences offer single or shared rooms, common facilities, and basic services designed to make student life easier. Some options are reserved for women, while others are co-ed. As places are limited, students are strongly encouraged to visit the various residences and reserve their accommodation well in advance of their arrival.
The USJ Residence:
USJ provides students with a student residence located on Damascus Street next to the Rectorate (opposite the French Embassy). It contains single or double rooms and is divided into two wings: one for girls and one for boys. Places are limited, so reservations must be made in advance. https://www.usj.edu.lb/etudiants/residence.php
Foyer La Sagesse:
Located in a quiet neighborhood near Place Sassine and Gemmayzé, the residence is divided into two buildings (F1 and F2): the larger one (nearly 80 rooms) is reserved for girls (F1), and the second is mixed (F2). A cafeteria is available for breakfast and dinner.
Résidence Saint-Vincent de Paul:
Located in a quiet neighborhood close to Place Sassine in Achrafieh/Azarieh, this residence offers 80 single rooms, a shared kitchen area, and many services.
University of Saint-Joseph Student Services and Facilities
At the University of Saint-Joseph, we offer an array of services and facilities tailored to enrich your university life. From diverse language courses at our Language Centre to an extensive library network for all your research needs, we’ve got it covered. Our campus dining provides a variety of options to suit every taste, and our dedicated support teams are here to assist every step of the way. Dive into the vibrant USJ community, where you’ll find everything needed to support your unique academic and personal growth journey, all within the lively city of Beirut.
University of Saint-Joseph Student Language Centre
The Language Center of the Faculty of Languages and Translation is at the heart of language teaching at USJ. It offers courses in German, English, Armenian, Korean, Spanish, French, Italian, Russian, Turkish, and more. The Center for Arabic Research and Studies (CREA) teaches Arabic language and culture to everyone, Arabic speakers and non-Arabic speakers, university students and the general public.
Immersive teaching: Learning modern standard Arabic and the Lebanese dialect with tailored programs and an immersive teaching approach.
University of Saint-Joseph Student Library Network
- A wealth of multidisciplinary documentary resources (general, specialized, and heritage collections), with over a million books and journals available to students, teachers, and researchers on all University campuses.
- Search engines that optimize the visibility of collections, the dissemination of information and publications, and the efficiency and channeling of research on site or remotely.
- Extensive local and international databases and a wide range of electronic journals.
- Exhibitions, training courses, collection tours, etc.
USJ manages the Oriental Library, a heritage and research library focused on the study of the Middle East through various disciplines such as archaeology, religions, Islamic studies, theology, history, philosophy, linguistics, literature, and the arts. The collection contains more than 250,000 book titles, 1,800 local and foreign journal titles, 3,700 manuscripts, 2,440 maps, and 300,000 photographic documents.
Campus Dining Options
- USJ campuses have cafeterias that are open to everyone. They offer complete, balanced meals, snacks, and sandwiches. With a variety of dining options on campus, USJ ensures that students have access to balanced meals. Vending machines are installed on campus to provide quick refreshments, contributing to the improvement of students’ quality of life.
- L’Atelier is the training restaurant for the hotel management program at the IGE-USJ Institute of Business Management. It was designed to provide Hospitality Management students with the most realistic hands-on experience possible. Students work hard and take on the roles of maître d’hôtel, host, sommelier, waiter, and chef to ensure the best possible experience for customers. L’Atelier offers a varied menu of dishes made from the best ingredients available on the market, while maintaining affordable prices.
- The USJ campuses are located in very dynamic and diverse neighborhoods. They are surrounded by a multitude of restaurants and cafes, offering students a wide choice of places to eat and share convivial moments.
Induction program and activities at USJ
Immerse yourself in the dynamic atmosphere of USJ and the HRI department. For any information about clubs, please contact the Student Life Department by email at sve@usj.edu.lb
- The HRI department and Student Life Office energize the campuses through cultural activities, conferences, acts of solidarity, engagement, and community building through clubs, student societies, and exciting events. Our diverse campus facilities cater to the varied needs of students from all backgrounds. Stay engaged throughout your academic journey with exciting activities organized on campus.
- Campus-J is the official student newspaper of Saint Joseph University in Beirut. It is a student newspaper representing all USJ campuses united as one, reflecting the freedom of expression and values of the University and its Jesuit founders. Over the years, Campus-J has maintained the same mission: a free press, independent of any constraints, creating a space where every student can express themselves on any subject they wish, no matter how controversial.
Campus-J covers a variety of topics: travel, food, fashion, music, literature, theater, economics, law and political science, health, science, and technology. The newspaper also covers USJ events and other national and regional events in all fields, as well as the academic achievements of its students who excel in all areas.
https://usj.edu.lb/blog/inst/homepage.php - The Chaplaincy is present on all campuses. It is a meeting place and forum for interaction open to all, a welcoming, open, friendly, free space for listening, dialogue, debate, service to others, deepening understanding, and searching for meaning. This presence aims to create a Christian community, open to all, at the heart of the University, which seeks to live out Gospel values and share them with other students while respecting their freedom.
On the agenda: debates, training, social projects, outings, inter-USJ camp, 24-hour famine, summer camps, etc. The scope of these activities extends beyond the boundaries of USJ. You will have the opportunity to meet young university students from all over the country!
https://www.usj.edu.lb/sve/documents.php
- Operating on a voluntary basis, Operation 7th Day at Saint Joseph University in Beirut aims to train active citizens to act as agents of change in Lebanon’s development. Through its 37 sectoral cells, O7 works towards sustainable development in all regions of Lebanon. Discover its many programs and projects
https://www.usj.edu.lb/universite/o7.php
https://www.alumniusj.org/en/article/revue-o7-no-15/17/10/2024/1164
Sports Facilities and Athletic Teams at USJ
Experience a balanced student life at USJ, where our modern sports facilities cater to a variety of athletic pursuits. Whether you’re into team sports or individual challenges, USJ provides the perfect environment to excel.
Facilities include:
- Covered courts at the Campus of Science and Technology
- An innovative sports center equipped with a semi-Olympic swimming pool, multi-sport court, gymnasium, and more
Athletic Teams at USJ:
- Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Thai Boxing, Cheerleading, Chess, Football, Futsal, Handball, Swimming, Squash, Tennis, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Water Polo
Our athletic teams cover a broad spectrum of sports, from athletics to water polo, welcoming students of all skill levels. International students receive dedicated support from our international student coordinator and campus coordinator, ensuring a smooth integration into USJ’s athletic community.
Sports life at USJ:
USJ is where academic achievement meets athletic excellence. Our sports department offers a wide range of activities, from recreational to competitive sports. The University’s sports center, located on the Innovation and Sports Campus, features a semi-Olympic swimming pool, a multi-purpose sports court with parquet flooring, a fitness room, two squash courts, and three multipurpose rooms for martial arts, fitness, table tennis, fencing, and more.
The sports teams are the pride of Saint Joseph University in Beirut; the elite student athletes are part of these teams and participate in local and international intercollegiate competitions, as well as national competitions. Students are recruited to the sports teams through selection tests organized at the beginning of each academic year. On more than one occasion, USJ has been ranked first in Lebanon in terms of sports results by the Lebanese University Sports Federation (FSUL).
Website: [USJ] – Saint Joseph University Beirut website
Email: sports@usj.edu.lb
One of the region’s leading choirs: We offer high-caliber concerts, accompanied by professional orchestras and renowned local and international soloists. Driven by a keen attention to detail in our performances, we constantly strive to improve the quality of our performances.
A unique repertoire: Discover recognized masterpieces and enrich your musical horizons by singing a vast repertoire ranging from great choral works to new works by living contemporary composers. We also make it our mission to introduce the public to works that are still unknown or rarely performed.
Perfect your skills and knowledge: Choral singing not only helps you improve your vocal skills, but also develops your listening skills and your ability to maintain and appreciate harmony. Singing in the choir will also help you improve your breathing and posture and release muscle tension. In addition, our varied repertoire will enrich your cultural knowledge by exploring the history of music and discovering how various historical and sociopolitical contexts have shaped music.
Meet new people: The USJ Choir is one big family, giving you the chance to forge lifelong friendships. We have fun and organize outings after rehearsals and social events.
The USJ Choir.
Beirut is a Mediterranean city at the crossroads of East and West, with a rich history stretching back thousands of years. The capital of Lebanon, it is distinguished by its cultural, religious, and linguistic diversity. Despite the crises it has endured, Beirut remains a major intellectual, academic, and artistic center in the region. A city of contrasts, it blends ancient heritage with modernity and creativity.
Jeita Grotto Lebanon – A Must-See Natural Wonder Near Beirut
https://www.jbail-byblos.gov.lb/baldati/
Agenda culturel : Beirut cultural map: https://panarab.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/0a8ea9f8ed7344d8
USJ also offers a rich academic and cultural life: check out our newsletter La Quinzaine https://www.usj.edu.lb/laquinzaine/
Opening an account
It is possible to open a foreign currency bank account in Lebanon.
1. Cash withdrawals can be made in dollars from ATMs with a daily limit.
2. Online transactions using the account are possible.
3. Money transfers from abroad to the account are possible.
Money transfers from abroad to Lebanon are also possible via companies such as OMT, Western Union, etc.
You can use your international credit card in Lebanon; refer to your home bank for details.
The cost of living in Beirut is approximately $850 per month, including housing, living expenses, transportation, etc.
Travel Tips and Essentials
Navigating Beirut:
- For airport pickups, we suggest using Uber or booking a private taxi. Sioufi Taxi (+961 3 480 254) or Geryes Taxi (+961 3 710 714) are recommended for their reliability and language accommodation. It’s advisable to make arrangements 24 hours prior to your arrival.
- Beirut, the city known as the Paris of the Middle East, is well-serviced by online taxi booking apps such as Uber, alongside traditional taxi services that can be pre-booked. For cost-effective options, consider Sioufi Taxi, Queen Taxi, or Badaro Taxi.
- For more taxi services, review the comprehensive list at Beirut Taxi Options. Always agree on the fare in advance to avoid any surprises.
- Shared taxis, locally referred to as ‘SERVICE’, are an economical way to travel within Beirut, with fares subject to change based on several factors.
- For excursions beyond Beirut, buses offer an authentic experience. Resources like the Bus Map Project and zawarib can guide you through the routes.
Exploring Lebanon:
USJ arranges group excursions for students, visiting iconic sites such as Jeita Grotto, the Cedars, and Byblos Castle, among others. These outings are a fantastic way to experience Lebanon’s cultural and natural beauty, enriching your expat life. For guided explorations, Nakhal Groupe (+961 1 389 389) comes highly recommended for their extensive tours that showcase Lebanon’s heritage and landscapes.
By joining USJ, you’re not just signing up for academic excellence; you’re stepping into a vibrant community eager to welcome you into a world where education meets culture, adventure, and a shared sense of belonging.
Are you set to start your adventure with us? As a future member of the University of Saint-Joseph community, we’re dedicated to supporting you through each phase of your academic journey. We can’t wait for you to join us at USJ!
Contact University of Saint-Joseph
Should you have any queries or require support, please reach out to our International Assistance Service and Coordinators! Our devoted support team at USJ is on hand to assist you.
French https://www.usj.edu.lb/ – English https://www.usj.edu.lb/?lang=2 – Arabic: https://www.usj.edu.lb/ar/