A taste of Morocco. Past Review
By A student (Sociology., Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/27/2012 to 12/20/2012 with
AMIDEAST Rabat - Area & Arabic Language Studies
It was most definitely worthwhile. I gained some new friends for life and many valued experiences that taught me a lot about myself. It is strange which values one clings to when they are directly challenged by the society around you.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had an amazing host family that really made my experience. |
| * Food: |
Food is one of the most important aspects of travel for me, and I experienced so much great food in Morocco. My amazing host mother even taught me how to make some. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was very integrated, I was out every day walking through the old city and speaking with new people (practicing my language) and I had many Moroccan friends by the end. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
Morocco is great for a student budget, and even better once you've worked on your language and thus haggling skills. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $15 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Haggle for everything. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Third semester |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Get out there and make friends, but be sure to balance your friends' desire to practice English with yours to practice the language you are learning. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Don't worry, you can handle being with a bunch of other Americans, because you know that you'll have as much time away from them as you want. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
