What inspired you to travel abroad?
I've always loved studying and living abroad. I first went to Morocco in 2007 to study Arabic and to do research for a doctoral dissertation on Moroccan history. Since then, I've returned to Morocco every year to continue my research.
Over this period, I've been fortunate to study at Dar Loughat two times, once in 2007-2008 and then in 2023. The first time, I took intensive courses on Arabic (Modern Standard Arabic) and the history of al-Andalus. When I returned in 2023, I did intensive individual tutoring to improve my Darija (Moroccan Arabic).
Why did you choose Dar Loughat: Cross-Cultural Language Center?
One of my graduate advisors recommended that I go to do research in Tetouan because of the city's longstanding cultural ties to the Iberian Peninsula. When I reached out to colleagues in Tetouan, one of them recommended that I take courses at Dar Loughat. I'm really glad that I got that advice because my teacher at Dar Loughat (Mohamed Reda Boudchar) was excellent. Whenever my students ask me where they should go to study Arabic, I always try to point them to Dar Loughat because their classes are great.
Exploring Tangier, Morocco with this cat who likes to hang out on moped scooters.
What was your favorite part about Morocco?
There are many things that I loved about being in Morocco, like the architecture, the photos, the diverse and beautiful geography. But most of all I love the people. Over many years of studying and working in Morocco, I've been fortunate to make some great friends there, and I always look forward to reconnecting with those friends and to meeting new people.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
I was really lucky to have friends and colleagues who were willing to show me around Tetouan and northern Morocco. I want to highlight, in particular, the incredible generosity of M'hammad Benaboud, a retired professor at Abdelmalek Essadi. Professor Benaboud is an expert in the history of Tetouan, and he is leading a project to restore several historic houses in Tetouan's medina (old city). On several occasions, he gave me tours of Tetouan's medina, including visits to several historic houses that are under restoration.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
The team at Dar Loughat from the teachers to the administrative staff to the director, Zayd, are extraordinary. They go out of their way to make you feel at home in Tetouan and to help design an Arabic program that is tailored to your needs. During both of my stints as a student at Dar Loughat (2007-2008 and 2023), I came to the school with some very specific learning goals in mind. Zayd and the teachers at Dar Loughat were very accommodating and helped me to design an individualized learning program that was tailored to my goals.
Did Dar Loughat provide specific pre-departure Covid support? If yes, tell us what kind of support you received.
I did not receive any specific pre-departure COVID support from the program, but I did not feel that any support was necessary. I was able to find all of the information that I needed online. Also, Morocco is no longer imposing travel restrictions because of COVID. I'm sure, though, that if potential participants reached out to Dar Loughat, the people there would be able to give helpful advice about how to navigate COVID in Morocco.
This is me at a beautiful historic house in the city Tetouan located in Morocco.
How did Dar Loughat help you stay (and feel) safe abroad amidst the ongoing pandemic?
As a general statement, I feel extremely safe in Morocco. I've traveled all over the country, and I always feel comfortable. Perhaps the only place where I experience a little discomfort is in the collective taxis (known as "grand taxis") because the drivers sometimes drive very quickly, and I fear getting into an accident. In general, though, I feel safe and comfortable in Morocco, wherever I go.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I do not have many regrets about my time in Tetouan. I had a wonderful experience, and I look forward to returning to Tetouan soon. One thing that I wish I had done in Tetouan was rent a car and drive around the nearby coastal areas. I did not drive in Morocco, so I was limited to places I could get to by public transportation.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
I would get up and have a light breakfast in my apartment, and then I would spend an hour or two reviewing my Arabic notes and responding to emails. Then, I would leave the apartment and stop at a local cafe for a second cup of coffee and a pastry. After that, I would head over to Dar Loughat for my Arabic course, which would usually last for 2 hours.
After class, I would meet a friend for lunch, or I would eat lunch alone at a local restaurant. Then, in the afternoon, I would either meet up with friends and colleagues from Tetouan, or I would go home to study and do work. At night, I would go out and buy some fresh vegetables at the market, and then I would prepare myself a simple dinner at home.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
During my free time, I enjoyed meeting friends for coffee or tea, walking around Tetouan (both the old city and the Ensanche), reading about the city's history, and trying new foods. I particularly loved the cafe culture in Tetouan. It is a city with a lot of great places to drink coffee and eat pastries!
Here is another photo inside another stunning historic house in Tetouan with friends.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
Through Dar Loughat, I rented a lovely and large apartment in Pabellones Varela, an apartment complex that was built by the Spanish Protectorate authorities in the 1940s. The building was centrally located and had beautiful views of the city and the surrounding mountains. It was very easy to get to class, to do shopping, and to explore Tetouan.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
They should figure out whether they want to focus on standard Arabic (Fusha) or colloquial Moroccan Arabic (Darija). Both languages are important, and both languages have benefits. I think, though, that it is difficult to study both of them at the same time, so students should figure out, in advance, what their learning goals are.
Would you recommend Dar Loughat to others? Why?
Yes, I've now studied at Dar Loughat twice (2007-2008 and 2023), and I recommend the school very highly. The teachers who work at Dar Loughat are experienced, enthusiastic, and effective. The school will help you to design an individualized learning program and to find good housing in Tetouan. Finally, Dar Loughat is in a wonderful historic city (Tetouan), with fascinating architecture and a rich history.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
Traveling abroad not only expands your sense of the world; it also helps you to reevaluate your home culture. Often, the experience of traveling to a new cultural context throws into relief things that you had taken for granted in your home culture. In the end, traveling abroad not only teaches you about new places; it also teaches you about the place or places where you're from.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
My experiences studying abroad in Morocco have had a profound impact on my professional and personal lives. Since I first traveled to Morocco in 2007, I have shifted the focus of my academic research, and I now write and teach primarily about Morocco and North Africa. My time in Morocco has also led to some wonderful friendships.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
"Meaningful travel" is, for me, travel that challenges you,that forces you to learn new things, and that changes your perspective on the world. Personally, I find it particularly meaningful to travel to places where I can try speaking in languages other than the one I grew up speaking. Meaningful travel is also travel that leads to new relationships, relationships that last long after the trip is over.
