Morocco: with Open eyes and Open heart an experience Ill never forget Past Review
By Talia S (Peace Studies, Goucher College) for
ISA Study Abroad in Meknes, Morocco
yes
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Holistically so wonderful. I think it really made a difference going abroad somewhere that wasnt a "normal" place. People werent there to just get drunk every weekend in Europe. there was a real sense of being on a shared adventure, and that added so much to the overall learning experience |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
hard if you are a vegetarian but i had a great experience, also somewhat easy to keep kosher |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
did a good job of planning field trips and dinners for us!! dont want to discribe all of them but they are really great! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Aside from the time a doctor thought bed bug bite were a reaction to food we were generally well cared for. you really needed to go with someone who spoke arabic/dareja or french fluently. dont be afraid to ask your program directors for help they will and they are great at it. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I dont remember |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | i mean internet was one i wasnt expecting but it wasnt expensive. bring extra money to travel. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Arabic 102 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Arabic was the core lesson everyday. you needed a little arabic to get around and especially not being in a "tourist" city. it wasnt always easy to practice with Moroccans because they also wanted to practice their English. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | be social and down for an adventure |
