African students in Lebanon are facing a difficult decision as the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah continues to escalate. With the US, UK, Australia, France, Canada, and India all issuing official advice for their citizens to leave Lebanon as soon as possible, many students are wondering whether to stay or go.
Farai Makamba, a 27-year-old student from Zimbabwe, is one of those students. He returned to Lebanon in September to finish his master's degree in mechanical engineering, but now he's not sure if he'll be able to complete his studies. "I have a plan for myself in case I need to leave urgently," he says. "I've got my passport, travel documents, and cash ready."
Makamba's days used to be filled with classes and seeing friends, but now he only leaves the house to go shopping for essentials. The campus is closed, and several of his classes have been moved online. "Everyone is nervous," he says. "Even the way we communicate is different. When we finish class, our professor now says: 'Have a good day and stay safe.'"
Sharon Atyang, a 27-year-old student from Uganda, is also struggling to cope with the situation. She's in the final year of her master's degree in community development and is worried about how she'll complete her studies if she leaves Lebanon. "I don't know if I travel home that they would bring me back here if the situation stabilizes," she says.
The scholarship program funding African students at the American University of Beirut (AUB) has given international students the option to go home and finish their course online. However, many students say that won't be possible due to electricity and internet issues at home.
Adele Pascaline from Cameroon, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, is also struggling to decide what to do. She's an undergraduate radiology student and says completing her degree back home will be almost impossible. "I cannot do my clinical rotations back home, but I need to complete them as part of my degree," she says.
The Mastercard Scholarship Program, which finances dozens of African students in Lebanon, is closely monitoring the situation and working with AUB to support students. However, with tickets difficult to come by and several airlines suspending their flights to and from Beirut, leaving the country is not an easy option.
Some African governments have begun evacuations, but many students are held back by their desperation to finish their studies. As the situation continues to escalate, students like Makamba and Atyang are left to wonder what the future holds. "You are on your own, and you have to take care of yourself," Atyang says.
