Hindsight 20/20 March 10, 2022

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Nonexistent! The owner likes to talk a lot about himself in English and barely uses the target language. I speak a fair amount of Tunisian dialect and wanted to spend a few months learning Moroccan dialect. There is no innovation and lessons are photocopies from books with highlighting and answers already written.

On-site administration of your program

I was not picked up at the airport as promised and had to figure my own way into Rabat and had to spend the first night in a hotel.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I am not a picky eater and I certainly do not eat a lot. To think I had so little food on my plate I was left hungry was surprising. When I asked if I might have another helping, my host family very sternly said I had eaten plenty enough! When I tried to ask general questions, I was flatly told that I asked strange things. My second morning with my homestay, I could not find my phone charger and asked for help locating it. They aggressively asked whether I was accusing them of anything. I never found it.

The local food is wonderful and affordable! I resorted to eating in local venues where traditional dishes are prepared and I loved it. My homestay situation from above got worse. Regular amounts of burps and flatulence all around as I was trying to enjoy my meal, hence the four stars.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Adjustment takes time. I met several wonderful people and we have remained in touch since I left Morocco. I would have given five stars if my host family and program leaders were better.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I figured it out by myself. My host family had interesting hygiene practices in the kitchen and I found myself with digestive issues before I ever resorted to eating other local cuisine. They also randomly left things in front of my doorstep, such as laundry baskets full of wet clothes. I did not bother asking about their reasoning. The first time I got sick, I fumbled in the dark because there was no easily accessible light switch and ended up twisting my ankle on the way to the toilet. Having explained all of this to the program head, I was told to go to the pharmacy with no further direction. Thankfully I previously lived in francophone countries with the same model as France: look for a green cross (no, it is NOT for weed as in California). Between my French and Tunisian Arabic, I got what I needed for my insides and my foot was well-wrapped. It healed properly.

Use your common sense. If you would not do it at home, do not do it abroad. As a man, I felt comfortable staying out a little later. I recommend any women not stay out alone. Pairs are an absolute minimum and groups of three or more are safer for women.

Considering everything I have written previously, need I really say more?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Eating like a local is very affordable. If you see a lot of other Americans and posh locals, expect to pay a premium (although still a reasonable price through the exchange rate).

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

It was almost the opposite. Every effort I made was met by my instructor wanting to practice his English.

Select all that apply

• Host Family
• Hotel

Select all that apply

• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Other

• Nothing
• Rien (French for "nothing")
• Walou (Moroccan for "nothing")

• Homestay selection
• Organizational structure and execution
• Teaching (I am paying to learn, not to teach)

The Avid Adventurer