Teya Abou Zour
BA ’22
Hello, my dearest LAU! ❤️
I’ve been an LAU student since 2019. I graduated in Business Management with High Distinction and was part of the university’s Honors Program. In 2022, I received an LAU scholarship to complete my master’s in international affairs.
When I first enrolled at LAU in 2019, I was only 17 years old, unsure of what major to choose, feeling lost, and just hoping that studying business would be worth it. This was contrary to the social stereotypes in the country that often deem the major too easy or unworthy of a degree. Today, I can proudly say that the Adnan Kassar School of Business was my best choice. It gave me the best education, supported by both theory and practice. I have met many real, inspiring leaders and supporters thanks to the instructors.
Our class endured economic crises, political turmoil, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, LAU stood by us, ensuring that our learning, even the student activities, never stopped. As the president of the Music Club, I recall how we innovated by connecting and engaging virtually. Along with many other clubs and activities, we managed to create a sense of togetherness in this virtual environment. Eventually, we were able to meet in person again when we returned to campus, making those experiences even more memorable.
I had the pleasure of talking about LAU’s resilience in an article with StEER-Leb along with other students from Lebanese and international universities titled “How Students Can Rise Above Any Crisis.” LAU made me feel like I was home and part of a loving community that we needed to support. We went through a lot. I remember the emergency financial aid campaign that many students worked on, for which I was one of the advocates. The amount of energy and dedication to help support junior and senior students graduate was honestly one of the most humane and inspiring efforts I have witnessed.
LAU is not just a university; it’s a home that gives you the floor to innovate, participate, voice your opinion, and shape a tough personality ready to lead in society. For me, this happened through many activities, including being the vice president of the Student Council during a very challenging time. Many protests took place, and we had to voice the students’ concerns, advocate for communication, and look for solutions to dollarization in times of anger and uncertainty.
What else can I say? There is so much more. LAU, especially MEPI–TLS gender scholarship, helped me build a strong foundation in gender knowledge and gender equity, identifying flaws and norms, being innovative for a better future, and seizing outstanding work opportunities.
That’s why I was inspired to continue this journey and apply for a master’s in international affairs to complement my business background and try to understand global issues from a broader perspective. This experience changed my outlook on things and made me way more politically and socially aware of how things truly are.
I cannot imagine not being a part of LAU. I know wholeheartedly, and I promise, that I will always be a part of my alma mater and give back to my university just as it supported me throughout these past five years. ❤️
