Everything I Was Looking For Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I took 3 courses including the double-credit Arabic course, I audited 1 course, and I attended a university course in French that began later in the semester. The workload was manageable enough to travel or explore most weekends, but I did feel busy studying every week day. There was not as much work as I expected in similar subjects at my home university, but the subject material always seemed to permeate my day to day life, and time to learn outside of the classroom was much needed. If you’re heart is set on taking a university course with local students, just keep in mind that the University schedule doesn’t always work out with the IES course schedule. The limited options and university timing changes meant that not all students were able to do so. My professors at IES were engaging, dedicated, and willing to help me as much as they could. I really valued the time I had to learn from them!

On-site administration of your program

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved living in a host family. My host family was my real family, with astounding hospitality I could never have anticipated. My host mom was an amazing cook and I always appreciated how she took care of the family. I had to adjust to the lifestyle, having new siblings, sharing some spaces, but doing so meant humbly experiencing the culture I was in.

Wow, Moroccan food. The foodie in me was excited every day. The fruit lover in me beamed at all the fresh fruit smoothies. My sweet tooth sang at Rabat's bakery paradise. And it's true, Morocco knows how to spice a meal. Food was a significant part of social gatherings and hospitality. It was easily affordable (1 USD was about 9 Moroccan Dirhams and less than 10 USD could earn you a meal at a restaurant with dessert). If you love food, you will LOVE Rabat. My host mom prepared every meal for her family and encouraged me to try new things. My walk home was a path of temptation from bakeries, sandwich shops, smoothie stands, fresh fruit carts. Moroccan "pancakes", we all miss you.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

While it was easy to stand out as a white American, I felt confident knowing that I had a Moroccan family to answer my questions and show me how they go about their lives. I felt encouraged to learn from Moroccans by learning and using the languages people spoke (Darija, French, some Modern Standard Arabic). I was able to interact with local people at events in the city and the local University.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

My program provided us with a healthcare program.

Safety in Rabat for me was about getting used to what to expect and how to handle it. It's good to go somewhere with others if you're unsure about an area. I became very comfortable with walks to and from the center and to other places I had frequented in the city by myself. I'd recommend traveling outside of Rabat with a friend or more. I usually walked with others if out at night.

Rabat, Morocco was my unexpected destination that brought forth everything I was looking for in a study abroad experience: cultural encompassment; a vibrant, colorful, delicious-food experience that would surround me in loud and beautiful difference; a warm new home by the beach; travel opportunities and the chance for all kinds of cities and landscape; and most importantly, language learning, to continue learning French with native speakers and to be involved in the magnificent use of multiple languages.

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

$1 was worth about 9 Moroccan Dirhams. This meant that food and supplies was very affordable. It was possible to not spend money daily since our host families provided us with 3 meals a day. Travel to another city wasn't more than $40 for a train ticket both ways. Once in a city, I could stay in a hostel for $10 a night or split an Airbnb with friends.

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

(This rating is for Darija and Modern Standard Arabic. I also used French to communicate with my host family.) To interact with any Moroccans outside of the center I would use French or Darija. My host family spoke Darija to each other. I practiced Darija and French with my little brother and used both to make purchases in the city.

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• Host Family

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• Host Family

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• Americans

• The location
• The hospitality (e.g. my caring host family and their wonderful cooking)
• The languages

• communication between IES staff and the local university
• familiarizing with more life styles in the city
• the transition from the end of classes to the end of the program

The Academic or Linguist