AMIDEAST Morocco (French Program) Spring 2015 Past Review

By (International Politics, Georgetown University) - abroad from 01/17/2015 to 05/16/2015 with

AMIDEAST: Rabat - Regional Studies in French

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was absolutely fantastic.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

It was extremely easy—Morocco is relatively cheap, and AMIDEAST provided a stipend.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $30
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Pay attention to how you spend your money; Morocco is very cheap, so some people got carried away and didn't realize how much they were actually spending.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Fluent
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? I had studied for six months in France.
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? You kind of have to force yourself to do it (especially with the other Americans), but it's definitely very rewarding to do so.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • the other students
  • Doha Ait Ahmed
  • Morocco
* What could be improved?
  • more excursions
  • classes could be slightly disorganized
  • better Arabic instruction
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Morocco gets cold in winter. Have some warm clothes.

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'