Katherine L.: Four Fantastic Months in Morocco Past Review
By Katherine L (International Relations, Brown University) - abroad from 08/23/2014 to 12/20/2014 with
AMIDEAST Rabat - Area & Arabic Language Studies
My experience abroad in Morocco was absolutely worthwhile. I learned so much about myself and my interests, as well as about the world I live in. Morocco was a fantastic place to be a student, and my language skills improved significantly.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 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 |
Well-organized administration. Fantastic support and availability for indivudal meetings. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had a fantastic host family experience, and AMIDEAST was very clear with students about housing and host family expectations and contracts for both students and the host families. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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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) |
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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? | 4th semester of Arabic |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Talk with your host family! Get out and barter in the markets / talk to shopkeepers, taxi drivers, restaurant owners -- everyone is friendly and happy to hear you're learning Arabic |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | I wish I had been informed about the host family I was living with before I had arrived in the country. I ended up loving the family I was placed with but I think it would have made me feel more prepared / mentally ready had the program told us beforehand. |
