When living in any new country, it’s important to understand the inner workings of the country based on the context in which it exists. The earliest evidence of civilization in the territory that is now Lebanon comes from the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods (otherwise known as the “New Stone Age”).

As is customary in Mediterranean countries, Lebanese communities place a great deal of importance on family, hospitality, and deep cultural ties to the local food and language. It is not uncommon to be invited to someone’s home or shown a level of generosity that an outsider may not be accustomed to.

The officIal language of Lebanon is Arabic.
One thing that most Arabic-learners find when coming to Lebanon, is that the formal Arabic that is taught in schools does not resemble the day-to-day variety of Arabic that is spoken by everyone.

An ideal situation for obtaining a residence permit is through sponsorship. This way, you won’t need to provide much more than a passport, four to six passport-size photos, and a medical report to your organization or employer.

Finding housing can be a difficult task, however a good place to begin is the Facebook Group called Apartments in Beirut. There are some listings that fall outside of Beirut in the Metn region, however most are in and around the city.

There are many ways to get around in Lebanon using public transportation. The most common ways to get around are by taxi, Uber, Careem (the local system similar to Uber), and service (pronounced servees).

There are a number of incredible historical sites in Lebanon, many of which date back to the Iron Age during the height of Phoenician civilization. In addition, there are numerous sites that were established or revamped during the time in which the Roman Empire was at its height.

n Lebanon, there’s no shortage of natural beauty to observe and nature hikes to take part in. Of of the most noteworthy nature excursions to participate it are the Cedars of Lebanon. The two main locations to visit the cedars are in the north near Bsharri, or in the Chouf in Barouk. Both can be reached by car or by tour bus.

Oh the food! One of the highlights of living in Lebanon is most certainly the gastronomical variety that is so deeply embedded in the culture. There are innumerable places to try all the flavors that this country has to offer.

The Mediterranean climate and rich soil of Lebanon make for an idea environment for all sorts of horticulture. If you are a wine connoisseur, or simply enjoy a glass of vino from to time, then you'll have to check out the array of wineries that this country has to offer.

Most stores, supermarkets and restaurants accept payment in debit card or credit card. They will always ask you if you prefer the amount to be take out in “dollars or Lebanese” (“dolar aw lebnene” in Arabic).

Major supermarkets are available in Lebanon, and you’ll be able to find just about everything you might need. Some of the bigger chains are Spinney’s and Carrefour. For specialty items, look for a Spinney’s signature story (there is one Downtown Beirut).