Ana Maghribia (I'm Moroccan) Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I am used to a a greater academic rigor, but since this program was more vocational, the intensity was different. The program's challenge came from being immediately thrust into the life of a foreign correspondent. It was challenging at times, but very rewarding.

On-site administration of your program

This is an SIT program, but the in-country administration is a Moroccan organization called the Center for Cross Cultural Learning. They were very helpful and gave us a great program coordinator, Badrdine.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

This program allowed me to see Morocco from many different perspectives. In terms of housing, I lived with a host family in the capital city, a host family in a rural village, and by myself in an apartment in Casablanca. The village and Casablanca experience were fantastic, but the city host family experience was not as great. I enjoyed the experience, but my only request for a host family was that they speak French (which is commonly spoken in Morocco) and they did not. I also often felt like I was just a source of income rather than part of the family. Friends felt the same way about their city home stays.

The food was delicious and I learned so much Moroccan Arabic vocabulary at meals. In the village we ate fresh vegetables right from the fields and hobz (bread) straight out of the oven. I still have urges to eat with bread rather than with cutlery.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I really lived in Morocco. In other study abroad programs that I've done I've come home feeling like I experienced life in the country on a greater than touristic level, but I feel like I really had a life in Morocco. On our field trips I saw the majority of the country and the myriad ways of life in its different regions. My journalism assignments got me out there among Moroccans. My teachers made me an expert on Moroccan history and current affairs. My families and Moroccan friends made me feel (and still do via facebook) a part of their world.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I became violently ill in the Sahara desert, hours away from civilization. Now I look back on it as such an incredible experience, but it was really awful as it was happening. Luckily, a friend was also sick so we were in it together. We had to wait it out through the night, but first thing in the morning one of the program directors took us to a small clinic. It did not look very sanitary and the man who treated us didn't speak English, but he definitely made us feel better and I've been fine ever since. Another friend needed a rabies shot in Rabat, the capital, and a greater number of doctors spoke English there.

I felt very safe throughout the program, but you have to be smart and pay attention. Moroccan men always commented when my female friends and I passed them in the street. They would generally just say things like "You are beautiful", but sometimes it was really frustrating and was only a bit scary once. The program prepares you well for potential safety incidents.

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

Most things in Morocco were incredibly affordable. I have friends from the program who still cannot shop back in the states because they can't believe how expensive everything is as compared to Morocco.

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

Luckily, I spoke a decent amount of French before coming to Morocco. Some friends came without any language skills and chose to learn Arabic. It was really difficult for them to properly do interviews at first. I had to translate for many friends, but my language skills improved so much from it!

Select all that apply

• Dorm
• Host Family
• Apartment
• Hotel
• Hostel

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• Americans
• Host Family
• Other

Select all that apply

• Americans

• Learned the basics of journalism
• Practiced French skills
• Became an expert on Morocco

• The organization of the program (it will be improved; this was only the first semester of the program)
• More challenging language class