Mind expanding and delicious June 02, 2024
By A student (Politics, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/31/2024 to 05/16/2024 with
IES Abroad: Rabat - Study in Rabat
Perspective on a very different culture than mine, language practice and experience, incredible food, more confidence, travel skills, the best relationships with the best host family, and so much more. SO worthwhile.
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 |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I love my host family so much - the absolute best part of the experience |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
More difficult to integrate as a woman |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Not as many healthcare options in Morocco - not the program's fault. |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I loved IES Rabat - of course it wasn't perfect but all the staff members were incredible and made me feel so welcome, and my host family was the absolute best. |
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 cheaper. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50?? I only spent a lot when I travelled. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Have an amount you want to spend a week and stick to it; take a lot of money out of the ATM in the beginning if you need cash because there are fees every time you take out money. |
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 |
Classes every day, but didn't pressure us to speak the language with each other, with the teachers, or with the families/locals |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | Beginning Arabic |
| 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? | No Duolingo!! Use Babel or just get a textbook (they use Al Kitaab) and follow the videos. |
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? | Everything happens on Moroccan time... which means slowly, without a lot of definitive communication, and in a way that probably leaves most Americans stressed. I wish I knew that I could choose what I wanted to participate in and make my own way when the program was calling it too close regarding timing and planning. |
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.' |
