As tensions rise in Lebanon, students like Farai Makamba are confronted with unprecedented challenges. Farai, a 27-year-old originally from Zimbabwe, is in his final year of a master’s program in mechanical engineering at the American University of Beirut. After spending the summer in Harare, he returned to Lebanon with hopes for a decrease in conflict. However, the situation rapidly deteriorated following the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, leading to ongoing skirmishes with Hezbollah, the Iranian-aligned military group based in Lebanon.
Farai has turned his desk, once cluttered with textbooks, into a makeshift emergency station, filled with essential travel documents and cash. “I’ve devised a plan in case I need to leave urgently,” he explained. The circumstances have worsened, making this one of the deadliest periods in Lebanon in almost two decades, with Prime Minister Najib Mikati estimating that up to one million people have been displaced from their homes.
The Israeli military has targeted southern Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley in an effort to dismantle Hezbollah’s infrastructure. The recent deaths of civilians—39 fatalities due to explosive devices linked to Hezbollah—have further intensified fears among both local residents and international students. “There’s been a huge jump in fear,” Makamba remarked, especially after the explosions. “We don’t know who might be carrying a bomb. Is it your taxi driver? Your Uber driver? The person next to you?” His words encapsulate the anxiety that has settled over student life.
With campus activities severely restricted, Farai limits his outings to essentials, acutely aware of the tension that fills the air. The university has moved classes online, and even casual interactions with professors have become tinged with concern, as they remind students to “stay safe” as lessons conclude. “No one feels secure anymore,” he noted.
Public schools have closed their doors, now serving as shelters for those fleeing violence. A scholarship program for African students at AUB has provided the option to return home and complete their education online. However, students like Sharon Atyang, a 27-year-old from Uganda, face major challenges. “Electricity and internet issues back home make it nearly impossible for me to study online,” she explained, adding that concerns over her scholarship status if she leaves have made her feel trapped.
Adele Pascaline, hailing from Cameroon, shares similar frustrations. She is unable to complete essential clinical rotations in her home country, which are necessary for her undergraduate degree in radiology. “Receiving my degree is contingent on completing these rotations,” she stated, yet the ongoing attacks have forced her to consider returning home.
The Mastercard Foundation, which supports many African students in Lebanon, is closely monitoring the situation and offering assistance for mental health and academic continuity. While Beirut’s international airport remains operational, securing a flight has become increasingly difficult, as several airlines have suspended their services.
Amid these harsh realities, Sharon described a terrifying experience: “I was in a reading room when I heard the sonic booms from Israeli jets. I ran, only to end up hiding in a bathroom.” The emotional toll is clear, with many students asking for extensions on assignments as they try to focus on their studies amidst uncertainty, while families back home urge them to prioritize their safety.
Some African nations have begun evacuations; Kenya has already facilitated the return of several citizens, and Ethiopian officials are preparing similar plans for their nationals. For students like Farai and Sharon, the decision to leave Lebanon feels daunting yet necessary, as they weigh the completion of their studies against an increasingly hostile environment. “We have to take care of ourselves,” Sharon said, reflecting the isolating reality that many international students are facing. Both students are expected to soon determine their futures in Lebanon.
