He attended the American University of Beirut (AUB), where he received a BBA in 1986 and a MBA in business and finance in 1988.[1][7] On his way to classes at AUB, he was often in danger due to snipers in the area and he once escaped a kidnapping attempt.[2] While attending the university, Khouri worked at a financial trading company, which dealt with trading currencies, securities and bonds.[3]