From camels to hammam to lifelong friends: My unforgettable Morocco adventure Past Review
By A student (Middle Eastern Studies, Arabic, The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 01/27/2013 to 05/11/2013 with
SIT Study Abroad: Morocco - Human Rights, Social Justice, and Cultural Transformation
This experience was definitely worthwhile. I learned a tremendous amount about Moroccan lifestyle and culture, Islamic traditions and life as a practicing Muslim, and gained new, unequivocal skills as a traveler. I also made long-lasting friendships both with fellow Americans on my program and with local Moroccans.
Review Photos
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. |
I definitely enjoyed the classes and many of the lectures, and we had many resources both in and out of the center, but I felt that my Arabic class was definitely not as challenging as I would have liked it to be and I felt that there could have been a lot more interactive and immersion-focused. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I loved the program directors and organizers but felt that the activities were sometimes disorganized. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Absolutely loved my home stay family and the city of Rabat. |
| * Food: |
Since I have very strict dietary restrictions and needs, food was definitely a difficult challenge but my host family and the program wet out of their way to make sure that I was not only fed but also not separated from the group or cultural activities. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt that this was the biggest challenge that I faced on the program. While I went to Morocco speaking Arabic, I had no French and struggled to truly mesh with Moroccan society. I was able to feel comfortable after a few weeks, but the transition definitely wasn't smooth. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Luckily, I was not sick often but I had a minor eye issue towards the end of the program and the program director immediately stepped in to help. Though reimbursement was a bit more tricky, I was able to meet with a doctor soon after my problem arose. |
| * Safety: |
In terms of security, I felt completely safe. My host family was insistent on keeping the door locked and I never felt nervous for my protection the way I might in other North African or Middle Eastern countries at the moment. That being said, harassment by men on the street was constant and female students need to be careful not to walk alone, especially at night. |
| 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) |
Luckily for us, the dollar is pretty strong in Morocco and things are relatively inexpensive. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $20-50 |
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 |
While we had language classes daily, I felt that we were not actually encouraged or helped to use the language outside of class. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 531K (fifth semester of intensive 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? | Go out of the way to read, listen and speak no matter what the situation or location. |
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? | I wish that I had been more prepared for my research project earlier on and been able to put more time and resources into it. I also wish that I had pressured myself to volunteer or taken more steps to integrate further into Moroccan society. |
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.' |
