Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Morocco was beautiful July 24, 2025

By (International Relations - history, Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/27/2025 to 05/10/2025 with

SIT Study Abroad: Morocco - Human Rights, Social Justice, and Cultural Transformation

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was a mind-expanding experience that gave me a more nuanced, firsthand understanding of human rights challenges and North Africa's resilience! yes

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The program was engaging and well-planned while giving students a lot of agency to make the experience their own!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The director Taieb Belghazi did an amazing job in everything. The other coordinators were also helpful, although a few points felt discombobulated- information was often given at the last minute, etc

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host family was kind and I liked being able to find my own space for the final month

* Food:

The meals provided by the program were rather lacklustre considering how good Moroccan food generally is, except on our southern excursions where we ate very well! Other than that all the food I ate independently was amazing

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Although we had many amazing Moroccan academics lecture and met with interesting NGOs, I felt alienated from other students our age and wished we could have had more blended classes with the local universities - it was hard to make local friends

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Rabat was quite safe and beautiful! Just use common sense - the program had a helpful lecture on dealing with unfortunately common street harassment… although sometimes I was annoyed by catcalling I never felt really afraid for my safety

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Loved working with program director, and enjoyed the rich culture of my host country

Finances

* 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)

Morocco has a lowish cost of living overall, it's only travelling and touristic things that are expensive

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $120
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? budget with the stipend the program gives you! :)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

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

Although we had daily Arabic lessons, the Fusha we studied did not translate well into daily life, as Moroccans speak Darija. I learned more useful wordsthrough encounters with my host family and community than through the program

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? I had never taken Arabic. I did have a solid French background and spoke French w my host family
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Apartment
  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Professor and lecturers
  • Freedom/independence
  • Rabat and Tangiers!
* What could be improved?
  • Integration with local students
  • Communication from admin
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? To take the speed train as much as possible

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!