Accessibility Discrimination, Poor Organzation, Unethical Exploitation September 03, 2025

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

My educational experience at Qalam was not ideal. Before enrolling, I even called ahead to confirm that my disability would be accommodated, and I was assured it would not be a problem. Once I arrived, it became clear they had no intention of following through. No accommodations were provided, my classes were scheduled upstairs despite mobility issues, my teachers were never informed of my disability, and my requests for testing accommodations were refused. This alone made the program inaccessible and discriminatory. On top of that, the academic quality was deeply disappointing. While my first teacher was an advocate and a delightfully competent instructor, my second teacher (B2 level) bullied me, degraded my beginner Arabic, and had no idea how to scaffold lessons for students at different levels. Instead of building understanding, she mocked mistakes and shut down questions. The program also mixed short-term students (like myself, enrolled for 4 weeks) with students who had already studied Arabic for a year, making it impossible to learn effectively and definitely showcasing the school's lack of respect for CEFR guidelines. This lack of differentiation showed poor planning and a complete disregard for student learning needs. I was eventually blamed as having not learned enough, when any instructor knows that if students are struggling or in a class with those with a much better grasp of the language, the fault lies with the teacher and education center. The combination of false promises, discrimination, negligence, and weak pedagogy left me with lost instructional time, humiliation in class, and no meaningful support from the administration. I cannot recommend Qalam to anyone — especially not to students with disabilities or to serious learners expecting professional, student-centered teaching. The additional half star is for my first teacher, Imane, who was truly competent and well versed in helping beginners get started.

On-site administration of your program

The administration at Qalam was one of the most unprofessional and hostile I have ever experienced. Before arriving, I was assured that my disability would be accommodated, but it was not. No accommodations were provided, my classes were placed upstairs despite mobility issues, and testing accommodations were refused without discussion. The women in the front office were openly hostile, terrorized other staff members, ignored student complaints, and seemed interested only in finding new ways to surcharge us. We were forced to rent books instead of being provided with materials, and communication was consistently dismissive and unhelpful. The director herself was entirely absent from student life and she never spoke to students, yet she treated staff as if they were personal servants, demanded obedience, and maintained constant surveillance with cameras around the school to instill fear. Worse, she signed off on terrible meal plans while sending customized orders to the kitchen for much better quality food that she made them bring to her office so she could continue watching students and staff. She was unkind to some staff and teachers and clearly views the school as a business scheme. Since they heavily encourage cash payment, I doubt they declare what we are charged for. I can say some teachers, the staff, and the kitchen crew were all delightful. I cannot say the same for the front desk ladies or the director.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The apartments were another disappointment. Despite the high prices charged, the furnishings were the cheapest possible, the “high-speed” WiFi promised in the contract barely worked, and even the most basic necessities like toilet paper, kitchen roll, or hand soap were not provided. Many students, myself included, arrived to find nothing in place and had to go out immediately to buy essentials just to make the space livable. One week, we had no cleaning and were not informed (cleaning is another surcharge), and got a cockroach in our apartment. For what Qalam charges, this level of neglect is unacceptable.

The food situation at Qalam was disappointing and hypocritical. Despite running a “cultural project” on nutrition, the meals provided at the school were high in calories but low in actual nutritional value. Every meal — even breakfast — was charged separately, and what was served was carb-heavy, made with the cheapest ingredients, and nowhere near worth the price. Drinks weren’t even included with lunch, making it clear they looked for ways to upcharge everything. Meanwhile, it was obvious the director herself would never eat what students were given — trays of better food were regularly delivered to her office.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Qalam also advertises “cultural outings,” but these are massively overpriced and primarily a money-making scheme for the school. Many of the trips don’t even happen if too few students sign up, leaving people stuck fighting for refunds. Instead of returning money directly, the school tries to force students to accept credit toward other activities. When the trips do go ahead, they are superficial, and nowhere near worth the inflated price. It’s clear the purpose isn’t cultural enrichment but profit.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Thank goodness I had no health issues because I can imagine that would be just another surcharge on top of many.

Another major concern is the school’s surveillance. Every part of the campus is covered in cameras, yet there is no disclosure in the contracts or on site about how they are used. It often felt like the cameras were not only recording video but possibly listening in, since the administration seemed to know details of private conversations. Without any legal notice or consent, this kind of constant monitoring feels like an unethical and unsafe gathering of information about students. It is impossible to feel comfortable or secure in an environment like this.

The clear lack of ethics and sole goal being to suck money out of foreigners while also failing to provide a competent educational experience would be big factors in motivating me to never come back. Additionally, being nickle and dimed, and surveilled without my consent didn't exactly endear the program to me, either. The lack of disability accommodation and frequent disregard was very dehumanizing.

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

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

It was nice to begin using the language in B1 but as soon as I went to B2 where shame was the name of the game, I did not feel encouraged.

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• Apartment

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• International Students

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• My first teacher, Imane, and some of the staff, who were also later fired under suspicious circumstances.

• They should seriously consider revising how students are placed, which teachers are assigned to which levels, and probably also an evaluation and investigation of the business dealings of the director and the front office would be good.
• I would also suggest stopping the surveillance of staff and students as it is fragrantly illegal internationally and in Morocco.