I thank the Maronite Foundation, from the bottom of my heart, for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime. This educational trip was amazing and beyond expectations. I visited several historic churches and sites that date back to hundreds of years and discovered the importance of our Lebanese heritage, the depth of our faith, and the value of our history. Visiting the holy Qadisha Valley was the most amazing experience; it is there that I got acquainted with the Maronites’ origins. They lived a hard life in this harsh mountainous area, struggling to preserve their identity, their heritage, and their freedom. Despite all the setbacks they faced and the difficult conditions they lived in, they managed to keep their faith intact. The 2013 trip to Lebanon instilled in me the pride, passion, and motivation to be continuously involved in the Lebanese cause and to promote Lebanon as a country, a holy land, a way of life, and an example of democracy. This was honestly an extraordinary educational and spiritual trip that had a major influence on my life. I now have a new family in Lebanon (the Maronite Foundation), and one that is spread out across the world (the Maronite Academy students and teachers). After spending two full weeks with individuals of Lebanese descent from all over the world, we developed a very close bond. We stay connected via our own Facebook group where we share stories, pictures, and life events.

My trip to Lebanon during the summer of 2013 was one of the most culturally enriching experiences I have ever partaken in. Not only did we learn about the history of our beautiful country, but we were also exposed to the Lebanese local culture: dance, food, language, religious customs, and social life. I was so blessed to be granted such an opportunity!

When I applied for the 2013 Maronite Academy, I really didn't know what the whole thing was about or whether there was a real possibility of a trip to Lebanon. To be honest, I didn't give it much thought after I had completed the online application, until one day I got a phone call asking me whether I was still interested in participating. Yes! I committed to reading the lessons and answering their related questions each week. My readings would spark my interest in new topics and I would sit for hours at my computer, opening a million tabs, reading about the Maronite history, the holy sites, the crusades, etc. Meanwhile, I communicated with the other students and with Mrs. Nada Abisamara on Facebook and got to have a small idea of what everyone was like. There were siblings, cousins, friends, and strangers. There were people from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, and Switzerland; all united by a common bond: our Maronite Heritage. By the time I was selected to go to Lebanon, I was already thrilled! I read the itinerary and I couldn't believe it. I was amazed by all the planning, efforts, and expenses that had gone into making this experience a memorable one. Somehow, it felt completely natural to be on the other side of the world sharing a new experience with a group of people I had never met. We did it all - continuing our courses and learning more about the Maronite history, visiting religious and holy sites, sightseeing, rock climbing and rappelling, swimming on Lebanon's beautiful beaches, shopping, eating the best food in the world...I can't believe how much we did during the time we were there. I could have never planned such a trip for myself. I don't even know what to say. Having Abouna Fadi as a tour guide was an amazing experience. He is so educated and knowledgeable about so many topics that he could just talk and talk about any subject and every holy site. For any young Maronite who would consider applying to the Academy, I cannot endorse this enough. It is an opportunity not to be missed; a truly amazing experience!

I knew traveling to Lebanon was going to change me. I've always had a strong sense of pride and connection to my heritage and religion but actually seeing and experiencing Lebanon and all its splendor has ignited something within me. The trip was nothing short of a dream come true. First off, travel accommodations from the airport to USEK University where we slept, were coordinated so that each of us had nothing to worry about from the moment we landed in Lebanon till our departure. We were each given a detailed itinerary of our daily activities listing all the places we would be visiting at specific designated times. I've spoken to friends and family who live in Lebanon and they cannot believe how much we were able to see & do during the trip! I am truly touched by all the Churches and holy sites we've visited. Words cannot express the close connection that the Maronites have to Lebanon. If there isn't a historical church every few blocks, then there is a small chapel or shrine created by the locals. It's beautiful. From the silence of the mountain tops to Harissa there is an unspoken, overwhelming feeling of peace and grace. It makes you realize how intertwined our faith is to the physical land of Lebanon and moreover how important the history of Lebanon is to our faith. Standing on the top of Our Lady of Zahle, looking down at the panoramic view of the town where my family is from was indescribable. The kind of thing that gives you goose bumps and puts your life into perspective. We visited many popular tourist attractions and better yet, places most people have never heard of. I took away with me so much from each experience because of how knowledgeable our leader Abouna Kmeid is, the other Monks we met, as well as the natives. It was awesome to listen as each person spoke to us with such conviction and passion making it impossible for us not to feel the pride they exuded. Sharing the experience with my classmates made the trip even more worthwhile. Never would I have been able to say I have a true friend in Switzerland or know firsthand how awesome the people are in Argentina without the Maronite Academy being the link between us. "The trip to Lebanon was fantastic but the friendships I made with such an internationally diverse group of people is nothing short of fantastic. When you share an experience such as this trip to Lebanon, I think it binds you to the ones you've shared it with and I treasure that".- Chrsitine Boumoussa Each day I learned more than I did the day before and I made sure I shared my experiences on Facebook. It wasn't a surprise that those back home in America were completely shocked that Lebanon is not one big war-ridden desert and were captivated by the pure beauty of Lebanon. There is nothing like seeing the sunset over the mountains while you're literally above the clouds. No explanation or photo does justice to the mouthwatering food we ate every day. No picture can capture the essence of Lebanon and no words can express the overwhelming hospitality the people of Lebanon extend to otherwise complete strangers. Lebanon was good for my soul. I left feeling cleansed and refreshed. I left with the devout need to explain to those who haven't seen Lebanon, just how wonderful it truly is. I have fallen in love with Lebanon and I am so thankful for this experience. This was my first trip but it is the first of MANY to come!! Thank you doesn't begin to express my gratitude to everyone involved in making this trip possible.

Prior to joining the Maronite Academy's educational trip to Lebanon, I had spent a total of 7 months in Lebanon throughout my life. Also, as someone who studies the history and politics of the Middle East (specifically Lebanon), I realized after joining this trip that there is still a lot I do not know about Lebanon's special history. The Maronites were an integral part in the formation of Lebanon, and their ability to survive as a strong Christian community in the Middle East is astonishing. I know a lot about Lebanon, but this trip allowed me to connect with my ancestors, understand Lebanon's struggle and that of the Maronites, and form a bond with my place of origin. We visited several churches and holy sites, learned about their history and importance. We were given the opportunity to appreciate Lebanon's beauty through its culture, its people, its food, and its nightlife. In the months leading up to the trip, we interacted with fellow students and our instructors through the online platform; but it was a real pleasure to finally be able to meet each other and learn from our instructors. I have lived my entire life in the United States, but have always felt more Lebanese than American; however, it has always been difficult for me to explore my Lebanese side. The Maronite Academy showed me a new side of Lebanon, one rich with tradition, history, and passion. It also gave me the opportunity to form friendships with other Lebanese descendants, similar to myself, from around the world. These newly formed connections will surely last a lifetime!

Upon applying to the Maronite Academy, I had no idea what to expect. I anticipated it to be a series of articles and questions on topics that I assumed I already knew everything about. This program completely surpassed my expectations. I learned a tremendous amount about my religion and country’s history, current issues and even aspects of the Lebanese culture and language that I had not known. Had it not been for the Maronite Academy, I do not know where I would have learned such important details about a culture that is a huge part of who I am. I enjoyed the challenge of the analytical questions asked in regards to topics such as immigration, Lebanon’s challenges, and the sacred sites. Aside from learning about Lebanon, I became acquainted with other Lebanese young adults from around the world who shared the common love for Lebanon. My dreams and aspirations for Lebanon are for it to be restored to its original beauty and reputation. Nothing breaks my heart more than how Lebanon is perceived in a negative light by the media and by those who associate it with the stereotypes of other Middle Eastern countries. I believe the only way to overcome these obstacles is to educate people. It is important for Lebanon to be known as more than that small country bordering Syria and Israel. My piece of advice to all Lebanese abroad who haven’t really had the chance to learn about or visit Lebanon is not to give up. Do not give up on your roots. Always strive to learn more about where your ancestors came from. There are plenty of resources out there to trace family history. Also, be proud. Whether you are 1% or 100% Lebanese, you are still Lebanese; be proud of your heritage. I have visited Lebanon several times before, but have never had an experience like this. Traveling to Lebanon with 28 other Lebanese from all over the world was truly the trip of a lifetime. Upon our arrival we began with an introduction to the Maronite Foundation and were given the schedule for the journey that was about to embark. With the group, I visited the sacred sites that we had been studying about with the online Academy. It was wonderful to be able to take everything that I had learned about the history of the Maronites and Lebanon and to see it play out in real life. For example, visiting the Qadicha valley and hiking through Quannoubine was a very surreal experience for me. This is the land where our Maronite forefathers had walked, lived, and suffered; to be able to walk in their footsteps is a feeling too strong for words. Aside from visiting places in Lebanon, the conferences held were also a great experience. I learned the mission of the Maronite Foundation and what their vision of the future is. I was able to understand the needs' analysis of the Foundation and their efforts to preserve Lebanon.