Maronite Academy - Home
As I walked into the gates at...
As I walked into the gates at the University of the Holy Spirit, Kaslik, I felt quite nervous and I didn’t know what to expect heading into a new country, with a group of people I had never met before. This feeling did not last very long. During the trip, I fell in love with Lebanon, its rich culture, history, landscape and people. One of the highlights of the trip was hiking through the Qadisha Valley, meeting a Maronite hermit and spending time in the beautiful mountainous regions. I have established a deep connection with Lebanon that is already calling me back for next summer. By the end of the trip, the Maronite Academy group felt like family to me. I now have a new family, spread all over the world: a family that extends all the way to Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Colombia, Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Venezuela, Mexico, USA, Canada, South Africa, Italy, Australia and of course Lebanon. I intend to visit all of them in the future. I cannot wait for many more adventures in Lebanon with these people. I would like to thank the Maronite Academy for this opportunity, because without the Academy I would never have known what I was missing out on. The Maronite Academy has opened my eyes to a whole new world, and a community I will feel a part of for the rest of my life. I was very sad to leave Lebanon and the lovely people I met there. I would highly recommend this trip to any person who has Lebanese background and a desire to connect with their culture. YALLA!
Paul Salem
Before the trip, I’ve heard a...
Before the trip, I’ve heard a lot of things about the country, from stories of my family about the land of my great grandparents, and also reading articles and watching videos about Lebanon, but all that I saw or heard cannot be compared with the experience of being there. First of all, I was impressed by all the culture and history that the country has, we were able to see a lot of historical places that I have never imagined to be able to see or to walk through. Then the religious visits, the country is full of religiosity and faith. Also the people, everybody was very kind with all of us, and made us feel really well during the program. And I got to know my family in Lebanon, which I have never met before, and the experience was shocking, because they were exactly the same as the family in Bolivia, then I realized that my great grandparents took all the costumes and taught us how to be a family in a Lebanese way. Finally I can say I am very grateful to have been able to be part of the Maronite Academy, because I learned a lot about Lebanon by first hand, and I will be able to share all the knowledge and all the feelings of love and gratitude to this amazing country, which I am proud of being part of.
Gabriel Safadi
To return to Lebanon was to...
To return to Lebanon was to return home, to return to the land of my great grandfather and to return to the essence of the principles and values transmitted by the family. It was another opportunity to reconnect with my roots and to continue discovering this magical country and the best it has to offer: its history and its people It was amazing to share this opportunity with the entire Maronite Foundation team and Academy with the more than 100 participants. The best part of the trip was to meet the participants, learn about their experiences and what encouraged them to participate. It was also encouraging to hear of their love and longing to find their families in Lebanon. Thank you to the Maronite Foundation team for making the dreams of more than 100 people come true. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to live the dream of returning to our origins. Thanks to you, I will always have Lebanon in my mind and heart and I’m counting the days until I return again. I am committed to continue working for more descendants of Lebanese to become closer to their roots.
Johnny Eduardo Dipp
This was not my first time...
This was not my first time visiting Lebanon, but it was the first time I really felt connected to its land, people, culture, nature and religion. The Maronite Academy has given me a once in a lifetime opportunity to grow closer to my roots and discover my grandfather’s land and origins. I have fallen in love with Lebanon and I am truly grateful for this opportunity and will carry this experience in my heart and memory forever, together with all the amazing people I met in these two weeks. Now, it is my mission to continue to spread awareness about Lebanon, not only to the diaspora, but to Brazilians and every person I meet, because Lebanon is beautiful and a great country, of which I am really proud.
Fabiana Bazhuni
I am Kiara Higino from South...
I am Kiara Higino from South Africa, and as a first time visitor to Lebanon, I would just like to express my appreciation to Maronite Foundation in the World and the Maronite Foundation in South Africa. I’d to like to thank, in particular, Mr. Charles Hage, John Shalala and Nada Saad for this once in a lifetime opportunity. I would also like to thank Mrs. Hiam Boustani, Fr. Fadi Kmeid and all the assistants for arranging and organizing this trip that took us back to our roots. During my time in Lebanon, I had the privilege to visit some of the most amazing places, such as the of Cedars of God, St. Charbel, Chateau Ksara in Zahle and the majestic Baalbek Temple. I also visited Byblos and its amazing nightlife, while also having the opportunity to meet our Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai and President Michel Aoun, among others. Lebanon brought me great joy during my stay, giving me a broader look into its land and people, while allowing me to make memories that I will never forget and friendships I will cherish for life. During my two-week stay, I came to know Lebanon, not just as beautiful country, but as a country that I am proud to call home.
Kiara Higino
Being in the land where my...
Being in the land where my great-grandparents were born filled me with nostalgia and emotion to see that it was just as they told me. The warmth of its people, food and amazing history, are things that make Lebanon a unique country that has known how to stand up many times. Today, more than ever, I feel proud of my roots but never forgetting the country where I was born. I am very fortunate to be part of the two best countries in the world. I definitely want to go back to Lebanon; in the meantime, I will let the world know how magical and unique it is. Thank you Maronite Academy for bringing together so many people from different countries and showing us how beautiful Lebanon is. Thanks to all my new friends, you are all in my heart. Shukran, Liban ya habibi!
Suraya H Saab
The best way to start loving...
The best way to start loving a place is by learning its history, tasting its food and visiting its touristic attractions. This is how the Maronite Academy provided us the best trip to connect to our roots!!
Gabriella El Corab
There are no words that would...
There are no words that would do justice to the greatness of Lebanon and to what the Maronite Academy did to make us live the perfect trip. This can only be felt by experiencing it. We had cultural and religious visits, such as to the National Museum, Beirut Souks, the churches of Beirut, Our Lady of Ilige, St. Charbel, Baalbeck, Our Lady of Maghdouché, the Cedars of God, Qadisha Valley, Jeita Grotto and much more. My friends from 20 different countries and Abouna Fadi were the keys to the success of this trip. Fr. Fadi shared all his knowledge to teach us about every place we went, with a dedication and love that will never be forgotten. We also had the privilege of meeting Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai and President Michel Aoun, as well as many other prominent politicians and figures in Lebanon. I am extremely happy to have fulfilled a dream as big as living Lebanon and walking its streets. I met relatives and went to Baadarâne, to the house where my great grandfather was born and for that I am very grateful to the Academy. It would not have been possible, without the Maronite Academy, to have the trip we did, eating at delicious restaurants, meeting so many kind people and understanding our culture, all at once. Thank you for this enriching and emotional experience. I am now prouder than ever of my roots and prepared to promote Lebanon as an ambassador. The task will be difficult when it comes to being unbiased with the beauty of the place and describing every incredible thing about the summer trip. But I am ready for the challenge of presenting Lebanon, as I now know it, and hopefully leading many more people to fall in love with the country the way I have.
Lourdés Quinzano
Even though I was born in...
Even though I was born in Lebanon and lived there until the age of 10, after moving to the United States, the idea of going back and seeing everything that Lebanon has to offer was almost like a dream. When the opportunity arose to explore Lebanon for two weeks with the Maronite Academy, it was surreal. I couldn't believe it! The two weeks spent in Lebanon with everyone was a dream come true. I do not use these words lightly when I say that exploring Lebanon with the Maronite Academy as well as learning about our Maronite roots and history was truly a blessing. To walk where the saints walked, to look up to the face of the Virgin Mary in Harissa and feel a sense of love, to literally walk through history and see the Roman ruins, to smell the cedar trees and admire their majestic size, to hike Qadisha Valley in all of its beauty, and of course, to feel the love and hospitality of everyone there is truly something that cannot be measured or explained. The experience was that of a lifetime. I have always been proud of my heritage, but the Maronite Academy gave me a strong sense of my roots. Thank you to everyone who worked tirelessly in putting this program together and in making sure we enjoyed our time in our country. This trip made me love Lebanon even more and it made me sure that it will not be long before I return again.
Sabine Maroun
I just wanted to say thank...
I just wanted to say thank each one of you for making this trip an unforgettable experience. I did not need to make this trip to love Lebanon, which has been in my heart since I was a child. What I did find again is that I really do love Lebanese people. The way everyone was so friendly and caring on this trip really blew me away. I've made friends and connections with all you beautiful people and our connections have felt more like a family love (especially the people on my bus). Never forget your roots and when you have children teach them about Lebanon. Take them to our homeland; show them where your family came from. We all get caught up in work and others things, which lead us to forget about the most important aspects in life. The way our ancestors dealt with adversity and still managed to stay proud of their culture and religion is so inspiring and I never want that to die. All the best to everyone in future endeavors, I am sure I will see a lot of you again.
John Wehbe
"I don't live in Lebanon;...
"I don't live in Lebanon; Lebanon lives in me." This has always echoed in my head and in my heart. Thanks to the opportunity given to us by the Maronite Foundation in the World, with the Maronite Academy, the Lebanese diaspora was able to experience for two weeks, the great cultural, historical and emotional heritage that Lebanon has. Lebanon is magical and something that makes us fall in love every time we step on its ground or we hear about it. I felt this through my participation in the Maronite Academy 2019. This magical Lebanon enchanted us all and gave us the strength to return to our countries and to work harder so that the country of our ancestors continues to grow strong and remain “more than a country, a message”. I left half of my heart in Lebanon but the other half, I bring it full of pride, faith, friendships that will last forever, experiences that widen the heart and a love that knows no boundaries or distance. This is because I could prove that I don't live in Lebanon, but that Lebanon lives in me.
Maximiliano Chade
This dream of traveling to...
This dream of traveling to Lebanon was not common. It was not only about tourism but also a chance to explore Lebanon. This endeavor made me live unforgettable moments that will always remain in my heart and my memories. I hope that this visit will be repeated soon. In fact, I see things differently and there has been a big change in my life because I have achieved a dream: to get know the land of my ancestors. This trip to Lebanon enlightened me and I was so happy to experience it. Thank God, for making this dream comes true. This dream of traveling to Lebanon was not normal Not just tourism but a chance and a different test Thank you for giving me this occasion and this project has been left in the best memories I walked on footsteps of St. Charbel, visited historical places, the Lady of Lebanon, the Lady of Mantara where the Virgin Mary was waiting for Jesus, as well as Tyre and Sidon to name a few. I prayed where St. Charbel and Saint Rafa prayed themselves. I enjoyed the splendor of the Jeita grotto and we planted a cedar tree. Finally, we were privileged to visit the most influential figures of Lebanon: President General Michel Aoun, Patriarch El Rahi and Abbot Neehmatallah Hashem. I got to know better the Lebanese citizens and enjoyed tasting the Lebanese food . I was overwhelmed to meet my family and to have lunch with them in the Chouf and in Byblos, which makes speechless to describe how I felt. A big thank you to all of you, namely: Father Fadi, Mrs. Boustani, Nancy, Sarine Maria and the ladies who helped us meet my grandparents. Warm regards from the heart.
Walter Naufe
Since I was a child, I have...
Since I was a child, I have participated in representative activities of our Arab culture, highlighting the customs and values that represent us in Venezuela. I was so proud to be selected by the Maronite Foundation and thus be able visit Lebanon with the Maronite Academy. I acquired during this trip more knowledge experiences and I will apply them within my community. I spent memorable moments in Qadisha valley, Baalebeck, the Cedars, Chouf, St Rafqa and Hardini... These places will remain engraved in my heart forever.
Yessika Violette Yibirin Farah
This year I had the honor and...
This year I had the honor and the pleasure to attend the Maronite Academy 2018. I reconnected with my roots, which encouraged me to become an ambassador for Lebanon. I was privileged to be part of the Maronite Academy’s Educational trip. The conferences and trips were very enriching; they have built up my knowledge about Lebanon’s history and culture. I am so grateful to the Maronite Academy for giving me this opportunity; it really changed my life and the way of seeing things. I hope someday I will have the chance to come back to Lebanon and to get to learn a little bit more about my homeland. I hope as well I can serve my country by investing in it in the future, as I see Lebanon as a country full of hope, and opportunities. On the behalf of all the Hanna and the Hobeika families, I would like to thank again the Maronite Foundation and the Academy for all what they have done for me and for the group. I recommend this experience to all the people of Lebanese descent.
Scharbel Jung Hanna
I am so honored and blessed...
I am so honored and blessed to have lived this experience. No matter how much I tell people about this experience, it will never be enough. It was truly amazing as I discovered Lebanon in a unique way. We visited many cultural and religious places such as the National Museum, the Mim Museum, Beirut Souks, Beirut Churches, Our Lady of Ilige, Mar Charbel, Beiteddine, Deir el Qamar, Baalbeck, Our Lady of Maghdouché, the Cedars Forest, Qadicha Valley, Jeita Grotto, Harissa and many more. We also had the privilege to meet many important figures such as the President General Michel Aoun, the Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, the president of the Maronite Foundation and the deputy H. E. Neemat Frem. The best part of this trip was spending time with youth coming from more than 11 different countries around the world, of Lebanese roots that I can now proudly call family. I would like to thank the Maronite Foundation for the best two weeks of my life. My message to every person that is Lebanese Maronite is to be proud of their roots and to maintain their presence inside and outside Lebanon.
Theresa Boueiry
Thank you so much Lebanon......
Thank you so much Lebanon... I am speechless and I don’t have enough words to describe this country... the warmth and the affection of its people, and the best gastronomy in the world. Lots of learning opportunities, an amazing culture and lots of magic everywhere you walk, in every single corner!
Samir Massud
The end of an incredible...
The end of an incredible experience that exceeded my expectations widely! Lebanon is a unique country. Not only for its history, spirituality, varied landscapes, exquisite cuisine. Also for their people, hospitality and reception! The trip deeply connected us with our roots; it was a permanent reminder to our grandparents, families and relatives! It also helped us understanding certain traditions and customs that we have been carrying a long time ago! Thanks to the Maronite Foundation, for making it possible and especially the yallaguys! Sharing this experience with such cool people, made it even more special! Love you so much! It was my first time; I hope it will not be the last one!
Maria Sofia Farhat