Alhalmdullilah: Thanks be to God Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I felt that Al Akhawayn University had some really nice programs as well as ones that fell a little short, but considering my main objective was to get the cultural and travel experience, the professors as well as the school itself allowed me to have the perfect experience while traveling abroad. I was able to manage the course load in addition to my weekly travels. And the school is absolutely beautiful, which helped as well. Al Akhawayn has pretty much all the resources you need that you get in an American University here, and the International business office does a very good job meeting the needs of the exchange students.

On-site administration of your program

Bentley University's Study Abroad program is an awesome way to study abroad and the Study abroad advisers do a very good job in getting you what you need in order to make this experience as smooth as it can possibly go. I had a few questions while abroad and I was able to get in touch with them no problem, so it felt so safe being there and knowing I had all the support I needed back home.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was very satisfied with the housing, although the segregated dorms were a little frustrating at times, but my roommate, who was Moroccan, is now one of my best friends who I still keep in touch with.

Sodexo. Enough said. But Morocco is very cheap and there are amazing places to eat off campus for practically no money. So I couldn't complain too much.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I think what you put in is what you get out. I was very fortunate to have met life long best friends while abroad, and I am proud to say that most of my closest friends I made abroad were Moroccan. So I was able to get the most culturally exposed experience while also being able to get into the loop of things pretty easily and smoothly. I had a great support group of friends.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I actually was in a car accident in October while I was abroad and the school did a very good job in getting me the proper care and transporting me to a big hospital in Fez where they took great care of me. Usually the school insures all of their students full, but there were some complications with paperworks during the time of my accident so I unfortunately was not covered. But Al Akhawayn usually does a very good job. The health services office is very friendly and available.

I felt VERY safe. There is a curfew of midnight from Monday to Thursday, which was inconvenient being a college student, but it definitely ensured a lot of safety among the students of the school. There is a main gate that is guarded by several guards at all times and no visitors are allowed unless they are checked in. So security is never an issue.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Living in Morocco is VERY cheap. Overall during the course of my 5 months abroad, including flight tickets I spent a total of $5000. This is including all my weekly travel expenses in Morocco, eating out every week, not being too frugal at all. SO affordable compared to most programs.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

I took a Beginning Arabic class and it really did help a lot. I learned a lot of classical Arabic as well as the Moroccan Arabic, and now I know enough to get by on my own.

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• Dorm

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• Local Students

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• Travel experience
• The people
• Time for self discovery

• Food

The Avid Adventurer