Great way to learn Arabic and explore a beautiful country Past Review
By Christina G (Political Science, Modern Langauges, Kenyon College) - abroad from 05/23/2010 to 12/17/2010 with
AMIDEAST Rabat - Area & Arabic Language Studies
My experience in Morocco was certainly worthwhile and it prepared me for future opportunities with travel and using the Arabic language.
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. |
I attended the summer intensive langauge program first and then stayed on for the fall semester. The summer program was very intense and I was in a class with one other student for half the summer and by myself for the rest. As a result, I received intense intruction that was tailored to my learning speed and I was required to use the language all the time. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff in the Rabat office was always available to help whether we were dealing with a personal or adacemic problem or just needed help setting up plans for a weekend trip. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
My host mother was an excellent cook, so I was spoiled in this respect. Also, there is really great, cheap street food to try out. However, I did get a parasite from an unwashed fig that a friend gave me. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It took a long time to feel integrated culturally. I eventually made some Moroccan friends, but it requires really going outside of your comfort zone to meet people. Even after 7 months, I was still culturally an outsider and I did not expect that to change. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
When I became violently ill due to a parasite, my host mother took me to the hospital and helped me get the proper medication. It seemed that the hospital staff had seen my issue before and therefore I was treated very quickly. Several of my friends had similar health problems. |
| * Safety: |
A very unfortunate incident occurred involving two of the students on my semester program. There were certainly times when I felt a little unsafe, but the program provided good advice on how to deal with or prevent these situations. As with living in any big city, you just need to be smart and rely on the people around you like store-owners and taxi drivers, etc. who you see on a regular basis. |
| 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) |
Everything in Morocco is very affordable and it is very easy to travel around the country while keeping costs down. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $20-30 |
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? | None |
| 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? | None |
| 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? | Spend time browsing the medina and trying new foods, etc. Ask lots of questions in Arabic and you will make new friends! |
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? | Part of the fun is figuring it all out. |
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.' |
