The American University of Beirut's 2024 graduation ceremony. (Courtesy of the Office of the President, Instagram)
For generations, Lebanon’s youth have grown up under one looming crisis after another — an ongoing “situation.” The difficulties of the past five years have framed the younger generation’s formative years — from the economic meltdown to the outbreak of COVID-19 and the Beirut port explosion, and now the ongoing war between Hezbollah and Israel in the south.Every year, some choose to stay for university, while others move abroad. Those who stay often move away after graduation if the opportunity arises, to secure what they hope will be a more stable life.An April 2022 poll conducted by the nonpartisan research network Arab Barometer found that 61 percent of college graduates hope to emigrate, putting the country at risk for brain drain. Of those wishing to leave, 63 percent were 18 to 29 years old and listed corruption, security...
For generations, Lebanon’s youth have grown up under one looming crisis after another — an ongoing “situation.” The difficulties of the past five years have framed the younger generation’s formative years — from the economic meltdown to the outbreak of COVID-19 and the Beirut port explosion, and now the ongoing war between Hezbollah and Israel in the south.Every year, some choose to stay for university, while others move abroad. Those who stay often move away after graduation if the opportunity arises, to secure what they hope will be a more stable life.An April 2022 poll conducted by the nonpartisan research network Arab Barometer found that 61 percent of college graduates hope to emigrate, putting the country at risk for brain drain. Of those wishing to leave, 63 percent were 18 to 29 years old and listed corruption,...