The Office of International Affairs (OIA)’s mission is to provide strategic and operational direction to LUMS’ continuing internationalisation. It is responsible for coordinating, developing, and expanding the scope of the university’s global footprint and international initiatives. The Office acts as a liaison between internal and international entities, facilitates international collaboration in line with global standards, and serves as a source of international opportunities, information, and resources.
We are currently managing 50+ exchange partners. The number of our partner universities is growing extensively and rapidly. Through these programmes, students from our partner universities as well as LUMS can study for a semester or the summer at the host institution, sometimes on partially or fully funded scholarships.
Our doors are always open to international students and we promise to do our best to enhance their academic, social, and cultural experiences during their time at LUMS.
For more information, click here and get to know about the exciting opportunities and facilities available at LUMS.
We offer our students a fascinating and exciting chance to see different parts of the world by providing them an opportunity to go on an international exchange programme.
For more information, please click here and get to know more about the application procedures and our partner universities.
LUMS has hosted exchange students from around the world. Read what they have to say about their LUMS experience.
A semester in London had been my dream since I started at LUMS, and I was lucky enough to be nominated by the Office of International Affairs to study at QMUL, a university renowned for its Life Sciences department.
My time in London allowed me to engage with so many wonderful people from around the world (shout-out 🇰🇷🇦🇺), meet faculty so deeply immersed in their subject that they…
A semester in London had been my dream since I started at LUMS, and I was lucky enough to be nominated by the Office of International Affairs to study at QMUL, a university renowned for its Life Sciences department.
My time in London allowed me to engage with so many wonderful people from around the world (shout-out 🇰🇷🇦🇺), meet faculty so deeply immersed in their subject that they brought dinosaur skulls to class on a daily basis, and even complete training to become a Crisis Counselor Volunteer. London taught me to navigate the Tube, meal-prep, plan and take vacations with my friends (and even made me like matcha)!
I will always be grateful to have been given this opportunity, and I believe it's the break and the challenge that everyone should experience during their time at LUMS.
There are moments in life that must be remembered, told, and cherished, again and again.
Coming from a far-flung village in the northern district of Dir Upper, I could hardly imagine myself walking through the streets of Istanbul, right at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, where every street and building had a story to tell.
Thanks to LUMS and the Office of International Affairs, I…
There are moments in life that must be remembered, told, and cherished, again and again.
Coming from a far-flung village in the northern district of Dir Upper, I could hardly imagine myself walking through the streets of Istanbul, right at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, where every street and building had a story to tell.
Thanks to LUMS and the Office of International Affairs, I got the chance to live something far beyond what I had ever dreamed. I met people from all around the world. Talking with Russian friends felt like characters from my favourite Dostoevsky novels, straight from the 19th century, had glanced into my life, speaking to me in his language. Sharing stories of history and politics with fellows from Kazakhstan, France, and Germany felt more real and meaningful than anything in a classroom.
Spending time with people from Algeria, Kosovo, and across Europe made me realize how many histories, struggles, and hopes connect us, even when our backgrounds are completely different.
And finally, never to forget, the people from Latin and South America, full of joy, rhythm, and light. They brought colour into every conversation, laughter into every gathering, and left me with a softer, happier view of life that will forever stay with me. And then, together, all of us, wandered through the historical streets of Istanbul, walked along the Bosphorus, stood inside ancient buildings full of stories, laughed in old courtyards, and watched sunsets that felt like something out of a dream. Those were the best of moments. I’ll carry these memories for the rest of my life. Thank you, LUMS, and thank you to the Office of International Affairs, for making this journey possible.
My semester at Koç University, Istanbul, has been nothing short of transformative.
Living in a city that bridges two continents with its rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes was an experience I’ll carry with me forever. Being in a completely new place all by myself helped me become more independent, while the warmth of the people and the beauty of everyday life in…
My semester at Koç University, Istanbul, has been nothing short of transformative.
Living in a city that bridges two continents with its rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes was an experience I’ll carry with me forever. Being in a completely new place all by myself helped me become more independent, while the warmth of the people and the beauty of everyday life in Istanbul made it feel like home.
What made the experience even more special was being part of a diverse international community of over 120 students. Through conversations, shared meals, and cultural events, I not only learned about Turkey but also gained insights into the traditions and perspectives of people from across the world. I remember writing in my application that this program would allow me to grow beyond the classroom and looking back, I realize how deeply true that turned out to be.
I'm incredibly grateful to LUMS OIA for making this opportunity possible and would strongly encourage future students to embrace this journey. It truly changes you in the best of ways.
As a travel and photography enthusiast, living and travelling around Japan during my exchange at Nagoya University of Commerce and Business (NUCB) was nothing short of a dream. From late-night cooking and gossip sessions with friends from all over the world to spontaneous hiking trips, each day was filled with excitement and new experiences. I made the most of my exchange semester by…
As a travel and photography enthusiast, living and travelling around Japan during my exchange at Nagoya University of Commerce and Business (NUCB) was nothing short of a dream. From late-night cooking and gossip sessions with friends from all over the world to spontaneous hiking trips, each day was filled with excitement and new experiences. I made the most of my exchange semester by travelling extensively across Japan, ticking off items from my bucket list. Every destination was breathtaking, but the most memorable highlight was a last-minute trip I planned with my roommate, who is now one of my closest friends, to see the snow-covered peak of Mount Fuji.
Throughout my time in Japan, I was deeply moved by the kindness and respect of the Japanese people, who consistently went out of their way to help in any way they could. Spending five months in such a remarkable country not only enriched my academic perspective but also allowed me to show my international friends the positive image of Pakistan. Japan has captured my heart, and if given the chance, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.
My name is Muhammad Taimur Farid, and I’m currently a junior at the Suleman Dawood School of Business, LUMS. Last semester, I had the incredible opportunity to go on an exchange at Excelia University, France, and it was truly one of the best experiences of my life.
Stepping into a completely different environment, all on my own, was both exciting and intimidating - but in the best way…
My name is Muhammad Taimur Farid, and I’m currently a junior at the Suleman Dawood School of Business, LUMS. Last semester, I had the incredible opportunity to go on an exchange at Excelia University, France, and it was truly one of the best experiences of my life.
Stepping into a completely different environment, all on my own, was both exciting and intimidating - but in the best way possible. I travelled, explored new cultures, and met people from all over the world, each interaction broadening my perspective in ways I never imagined. The experiential learning I gained from this journey was immense, and I can confidently say that the person I was before this exchange and the person I am now are worlds apart.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this experience was representing Pakistan on an international platform. Meeting people from different backgrounds and sharing insights about my culture, traditions, and experiences was truly fulfilling. It felt great to break stereotypes and foster meaningful conversations about Pakistan, giving others a glimpse into the richness of our country.
Beyond academics and Excelia University being one of the top business schools in France, living and navigating life in a foreign country pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow in ways that no classroom ever could. I am incredibly grateful to the International Office at LUMS for making such opportunities accessible, and I strongly encourage other students to apply for an exchange semester - it might just turn out to be one of the most transformative experiences of your life.
My exchange semester in Cardiff, Wales, has been - hands down - one of the most memorable experiences that I've ever had. The new people I've met, the places I've explored will have a special place in my heart. Being on my own in a completely different environment exposed me to so many new ways of thinking about the world - it gave me the ability to view things from a completely different…
My exchange semester in Cardiff, Wales, has been - hands down - one of the most memorable experiences that I've ever had. The new people I've met, the places I've explored will have a special place in my heart. Being on my own in a completely different environment exposed me to so many new ways of thinking about the world - it gave me the ability to view things from a completely different perspective. I remember writing in my personal statement when I was applying for this exchange program that this opportunity will broaden the scope of my impact. Looking at this in retrospect, I feel like I can now view this statement in a completely new way.
I'd like to extend my thanks to LUMS OIA for nominating me for this amazing opportunity, and I wish all the best to the upcoming exchange students!
Many questioned whether going on an exchange in my senior year was the right choice. My answer? I’d do it 100 times over. Saying my semester abroad in Austria was life-changing would be no exaggeration. I had the incredible opportunity to interact with students from over 30 countries and immerse myself in diverse cultures while traveling across Europe.
What made this experience even more…
Many questioned whether going on an exchange in my senior year was the right choice. My answer? I’d do it 100 times over. Saying my semester abroad in Austria was life-changing would be no exaggeration. I had the incredible opportunity to interact with students from over 30 countries and immerse myself in diverse cultures while traveling across Europe.
What made this experience even more special was that it was fully funded by the Ernst Mach Grant, making it financially feasible. I’m deeply grateful to the OIA for their support throughout the process and to the Austrian Ministry of Education for allowing me to call the beautiful city of Graz home.
I highly encourage every LUMS student to apply for this exchange. Not only will you experience life abroad, but you’ll also grow into a global citizen, become more independent, and learn through your travels. This exchange was a dream come true, and I’d be more than happy to help any prospective student navigate the process!
The past four months in Korea have been nothing short of transformative, easily ranking as the most enriching and unforgettable chapter of my undergraduate journey at LUMS. While I had previously experienced the beauty of cultural exchange during the Summer Exchange Program in Skardu, my time at GIST offered a completely new dimension of growth, adventure, and discovery.
As a research…
The past four months in Korea have been nothing short of transformative, easily ranking as the most enriching and unforgettable chapter of my undergraduate journey at LUMS. While I had previously experienced the beauty of cultural exchange during the Summer Exchange Program in Skardu, my time at GIST offered a completely new dimension of growth, adventure, and discovery.
As a research intern at the ML-CV lab at GIST, I dove into research, spending my time productively at the advanced science and technology institute.
Beyond academics, Korea became a playground for personal growth and adventure. I crossed off multiple bucket-list experiences—paragliding over breathtaking landscapes, scuba diving in the waters of Jeju, and exploring the vibrant streets of Busan and beyond.
What truly made my time in Korea unique, however, was the way I immersed myself in the culture. From navigating the streets using a language I had never spoken before to late-night bibimbap runs in convenience stores to forming friendships with people from all corners of the world, I embraced every challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow, which exposed me the beauty of diversity.
Spending an exchange semester in Japan turned out to be one of the most transformative experiences of my life.
I had the privilege of interacting with over 100 exchange students from 40+ countries, and every new conversation felt like a cultural shock. One of the most memorable experiences was working on group projects in teams of 4-5 which often included folks from Europe, Central Asia,…
Spending an exchange semester in Japan turned out to be one of the most transformative experiences of my life.
I had the privilege of interacting with over 100 exchange students from 40+ countries, and every new conversation felt like a cultural shock. One of the most memorable experiences was working on group projects in teams of 4-5 which often included folks from Europe, Central Asia, and even Latin America. Witnessing the diverse perspectives come together to solve problems was a pleasure to be a part of.
I physically felt a difference in my demeanor after the exchange and my communication skills greatly benefited from interacting with such a diverse student body in what you could call a 'global village'.
One of the most memorable experiences was to experience living with a Japanese family in their home for a day, as part of a program organized by the host university. The cultural insights I got and the love I felt living with them was something I will remember for the rest of my life. I am still in contact with the family and hope to visit them again one day when I return to Japan in the future.
The Japanese societal value system of prioritising collective wellbeing over individual success is one aspect that will stick with me and makes me think how much Pakistan could benefit if we became more open to helping each other and contributing to overall prosperity of our society.
To sum it up, the personal growth I experienced was immense. I am deeply grateful to the International Affairs office at Lahore University of Management Sciences for providing me with this incredible opportunity. A huge thank you also goes to the NUCB Undergraduate School for being incredible hosts and helping us immerse ourselves into Japanese culture.
My semester at LUMS as an exchange student was truly an unforgettable experience. I spent four months immersed in the vibrant culture of Pakistan, and I was deeply impressed by the warmth and hospitality of the people — it is truly unmatched. The university itself exceeded my expectations, offering excellent facilities and a welcoming, supportive environment that fosters both academic growth…
My semester at LUMS as an exchange student was truly an unforgettable experience. I spent four months immersed in the vibrant culture of Pakistan, and I was deeply impressed by the warmth and hospitality of the people — it is truly unmatched. The university itself exceeded my expectations, offering excellent facilities and a welcoming, supportive environment that fosters both academic growth and personal development.
I particularly appreciated the diverse and delicious food, the rich cultural traditions, and the inclusive atmosphere that made me feel at home from day one. Studying at LUMS gave me the opportunity not only to learn in a high-quality academic setting but also to experience a unique and enriching culture.
I am grateful for the chance to be part of the LUMS community, and I will always cherish the memories and friendships I made during my time there.
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Office of International Affairs
LUMS
DHA Lahore Cant. 54792, Pakistan