The only thing better than leaving Morocco, is coming back to Morocco! Past Review
By A student (International/Global Studies., American University) - abroad from 09/21/2009 to 05/07/2010 with
AMIDEAST Rabat - Area & Arabic Language Studies
I learned what it would feel like to have a fulfilling life abroad. It was definitely worth it. And I'm profoundly glad that I stayed for the entire year instead of just one semester. I had a whole different impression of Morocco after my second semester compared to my first. It became my home, instead of a place I lived.
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. |
The course offerings covered area specific topics, which was exactly what I wanted to be investigating while abroad. I love learning about a place while I am there and being able to compare my classroom studies to my daily life. There were high academic expectations while on program, which I appreciated. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Program staff were quite flexible and accommodating and definitely there to help us get the most out of our experience. They were very accessible and welcoming, informative, fun people. I could not have asked for a better support system. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I became very close with my host family and my American roommate. I am still in touch with all of them, years later. |
| * Food: |
Moroccan food is AMAZING inside homes. I wasn't as fond of restaurant food. I would recommend trying to eat at your friends' houses too, because it's fun to see how Moroccan families make things differently, and all deliciously! People were also very enthusiastic about teaching how to make Moroccan dishes! Wish I remembered how to make more things so I could do so here in the U.S. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The nature of staying in a place for a pre-determined length of time, means that actually getting to know Moroccans well was difficult. I was lucky because I was there for a full year, so by the end, I had real friends that I am keeping in touch with. Moroccan are quite friendly, so it's not hard to find locals to spend time with, it all depends on how much you put into it, and how you want to spend your time. AMIDEAST was helpful in arranging events where both AMIDEAST and Moroccan students were both invited to participate together. This helped initiate many friendships. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
You will get sick. Your host family will be overly concerned. You will be given lots of meds. Best to bring your own, but if you don't, that's fine. Staff were always helpful when needed. |
| * Safety: |
Be smart, and you'll most likely be fine. Harassment can be quite difficult to avoid, but does not tend to escalate. |
| 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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Costs go up as you travel more. If you NEED to save money, it is more than possible to do so, you just won't get to see as much of the country. |
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? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 300 |
| 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? | Try to spend time with local friends away from American friends. Make a language pledge with your group to only speak Arabic when in the Study Abroad Room. Or during certain times of the day. The more peers you get invested, the easier it will be. |
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? | The time goes by too quickly. You only get out as much as you put in. |
