What inspired you to go abroad?
I wanted to go abroad because I feel that the best representation of an experience is through honest testimony. I love my home campus, but I felt that studying abroad was too big of an opportunity to pass up!
An alleyway in Morocco
Why did you choose AMIDEAST?
I chose to study in Morocco because I wanted to study French, but with a unique focus on postcolonial states. AMIDEAST having a program in Rabat was the perfect opportunity to study both the political science of Moroccan government and the French language.
What was your favorite part about Rabat, Morocco?
My favorite part of Rabat (and all of Morocco) was the juxtaposition of ancient and modern - from the medina walls to the "European" shopping, there was nothing you ever needed and didn't have.
What made your experience abroad unique?
One very unique thing about my time in Rabat was the amount of civic engagement I was able to pursue - I spent time volunteering at a youth center in the city and interning at a Human Rights NGO. These were great opportunities to make friends and find a different perspective on civil society than I would have from just taking classes.
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
The faculty and staff at AMIDEAST in Rabat are very knowledgeable and support students as they navigate a foreign culture. If you need anything at all, just ask Doha!
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?
If I could have done anything differently, I would have spent more time at the beach!
Describe a typical day in the life of your program.
On a typical day in Morocco, I would wake up and eat a huge breakfast with my host family. After breakfast, I would meet up with my neighborhood friends and either take the tram or a taxi to school. When I was all done with class for the day, my friends and I might hang around the student lounge at AMIDEAST or find a café to do our homework in. We could wander around the medina or plan a weekend trip out of the city. When it was time to head home for dinner, I might play with my toddler host brother or sip mint tea with the ladies of my host family.
My neighborhood in Rabat
What did you enjoy doing in your free time?
My free time was always spent with friends. Whether we were volunteering teaching English, exploring new restaurants, or playing soccer near the beach, we always had fun.
What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?
I lived in an apartment building in an older residential area of Rabat. I had my own bedroom, and lived above the most popular restaurant in town. My host family was kind and hospitable, and all my closest friends lived within a two minute walk! The best part - we were just down the street from the ocean.
What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?
Bring a sweatshirt!
Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?
My time abroad expanded my view of people and the world in ways I could not have anticipated. When I left to travel, I was a timid, naive girl with no life experience and zero common sense. I had no sense of self-worth, didn’t have any confidence, and had never been all that independent. I’d never traveled alone, or for more than a few days at a time. I was terrified of everything. By the end of my time abroad, I found myself comfortable speaking foreign languages with strangers, visiting three countries in a week, and navigating airports as if I had been there thousands of times. I learned to appreciate each experience and my relationships more deeply and with greater understanding of the world around me.
What was the hardest part about studying abroad?
The hardest part about studying abroad was missing time at my real school. Seeing social media posts of all my friends having fun without me never really got easier!
What is one thing you wish you would have known before studying abroad in Morocco?
The thing that surprised me most about Morocco was the weather. I thought it would be hot and sunny every day, but the weather was just as unusual as it can be in New York! This is also one thing I wish I had known better beforehand. I definitely would have packed my suitcase differently.
Would you recommend Morocco to others?
I would recommend visiting Morocco to everyone!
