Two weeks experiencing the Real Morocco Past Review
By Nicci H (Modern Languages, Knox College) - abroad from 07/23/2015 to 08/07/2015 with
Sahara Service Organization: Boudnib - Short-term volunteer abroad program in Morocco
I gained a lot of knowledge about Morocco, which I can now use in independent studies and senior research of the country.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
We had a lot of cultural excursions in surrounding villages and learned a lot about the different crafting techniques and cultural aspects like dance and cooking. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
For it being the first year, the program went really well! There were a few bumps but I'm sure they will learn what to change and make slight alterations in the future. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I LOVED my host family. They were very caring and hospitable, I only wish we had more people to help translate for us so we could have talked to them more! |
| * Food: |
The food was absolutely fantastic. I didn't like the sugared tea as much, but you just have to say no and stick to it if they ask you. They can be a bit more forceful in asking you to eat than you would find in America, but that's their way of showing their hospitality. If you say no enough times and laugh it off they will lessen up on asking you to eat more. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was looking at going to a program in Rabat instead, but I'm very happy I went with this program instead. By staying in Boudnib, you can actually see and experience how most people in Morocco live. The big towns can't really capture that aspect, and it was very enlightening and educational. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
We all got sick for a bit when we first got to Boudnib, but the host families and the administration were very understanding and helpful, and they would always help you find the medical supplies you needed. |
| * Safety: |
It's not going to be the safest place in the world, but I definitely felt safer there than I feel on some city streets in America. As long as you don't try to run off on your own, or at least have a buddy with you, there won't be any safety concerns. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The people in this program really made it great. They were very dedicated and concerned about your overall health and happiness. |
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) |
Food in Morocco is fairly cheap, and when buying items you can always haggle your way to a good price. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $250 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I brought about $500 in cash and I got out a bit more while I was there, but I also had to buy clothes and hygiene items since the airline lost my luggage (Try not to fly Royal Air Maroc). |
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 |
They taught us some of the basics of the language, and we could give very basic responses to questions, but Arabic in general is pretty hard to learn. I mostly used French while I was there to converse with my host family. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 1 term of Arabic (Jordanian) |
| 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? | Look up some common phrases in Darija (Moroccan Arabic) before you come! |
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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| 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? | Don't fly Royal Air Maroc. Also vendors in Marrakesh want you to haggle. |
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.' |
