Foreign Language Study Abroad Programs in Morocco

The unique aspects that this SIT program offered influenced my decision to ultimately choose the Switzerland: Global Health and Developmental Policy Program. My favorite academic aspects of the program were the countless briefings at NGOs and IGOs, the week-long WHO model-UN-like simulation, and the Independent Study Project that required students to take initiative on conducting public health research on a topic they found interesting and networking with experts in the respective fields. The Morocco excursion, where we stayed with host families in the city of Rabat and experienced their culture through their cuisine, music, and local markets. We spoke with many local organizations that aimed to serve smaller populations where their impact was truly felt. Living with a host family in Switzerland also provided an immersive experience. Eating with a family, sharing stories of our day, and even going on hikes together were memorable. The connections I made with my host family and my friends in my cohort will last a lifetime, and I am very grateful for the many adventures we took together that made my study abroad so special.

SIT did a great job of connecting us with public health experts and showing us the different NGOs in the Geneva/Rabat area. The independent study project was rewarding and prepared me for future academic research. My French skills also developed, thanks to my time with a host family and French classes. Finally, my cohort and the SIT staff were very welcoming and made me feel at home in the program!

I had an absolutely incredible time at CIEE. I have never met people more dedicated to full immersion in the beauty of Moroccan culture than Madiha and Haddou, the amazing directors at the Rabat site. There was a beautiful balance between academic education and teaching in ways beyond the classroom, and my perspective was respected and engaged with. Moreover, all the language and culture peers who routinely visited the site were incredibly kind and welcoming. If a student is looking to feel entirely at home in a new country, they should look no further than CIEE!

SIT Switerland was academically rigorous, immersive, and rewarding. The program blends classroom learning (guest speakers) with experiential learning, such as site visits to WHO and MSF, fieldwork in Morocco, and an independent research project that spans the entire month of April. The ISP was especially demanding and required strong time management, self-direction, and critical thinking as we conducted interviews and produced a 30-page research report. The classes were interdisciplinary and interesting. While Switzerland was experience and integrating into Swiss culture/norms took time, the program's location in Geneva (global hub for health/the world capital of humanitarian aid) made the experience uniquely place-based offering access to international organizations that shape international health policy.

My favorite part of the program academically was the ISP--I was able to study a topic I was passionate about, and spoke with a number of high-level professionals in the field regarding my topic. I also really loved my homestay family, living in a small, idyllic town, yet being so close to bigger cities. It was so freeing being able to hop on a train and travel anywhere in Switzerland, there was never a dull moment, and every day was filled with a new hike, destination, or activity!

The staff here at CIEE Morocco are the most considerate and genuine people I have ever met. They want you to immerse yourself into the country, and even help you in the process of your own personal goals.

I really enjoyed my time here! The program coordinators made it extremely easy to adjust to the program and Morocco itself. They also coordinated so many cultural activities and visits to other cities and museums, which I appreciated since it made it feel like my time was well spent.

Everyone involved in the program are truly such kinds souls and always helped whenever I needed it. The teachers offered extra tutoring hours at their own expense and the cultural peers/staff were amazing people. The program improved my language skills and educated me so much on a different culture which aids in my worldview and my ability to connect with others around the world.

The CIEE Language + Culture in Rabat, Morocco program is immersive, engaging, and dynamic in ways I was not expecting. The empathy and caring from the team was a gift to be around and made my ability to be here that much easier.

As an Arabic and French speaker, I firmly believe the significance and indispensability of cultural exchange. Being a Chinese provides me a different lens in observing from an “outsider’s” view toward the Islamic world fused with heterogeneity and diversity, either in terms of languages or cultures of social domains. My main objective is to uproot Eurocentric and essentialist viewpoint toward the Third World, Morocco in particular. Both language courses and area studies courses have equipped me with manifold lenses of experiencing and contemplating. Even general history courses of Africa and Morocco taught in French could be intriguing in its wide scope and focused attitude toward the inter-cultural and intra-cultural reflections. Doubtlessly, a year in Morocco has offered me a unique and wonderful time frames in shaping myself in perceiving the Islamicate arena at large. Languages are merely tools for their insights but worthwhile upholding the multilingual perspectives in delving deeper into the Arabs!

CIEE was unlike any other experience I have had before. As someone who studied abroad in a different country in a different program last year, CIEE truly goes above and beyond to make sure that all students have an excellent support system and LEARN. CIEE is constantly arranging activities for us to learn more from Moroccan youth about Morocco. They constantly push us to really think about the country we are staying in and important topics regarding culture. Not only have I learned far more here than I ever have in one month, but everything I said was heard, respected, and I was always treated with overwhelming kindness. CIEE in Morocco was truly unforgettable and my experiences here will last for a lifetime.

I had a phenomenal experience and I don't want to leave at all. If at the end of a program you want to stay forever that's a wonderful bittersweet feeling that I would love other friends to experience.

The staff is friendly, flexible, and above all - passionate. Every expectation was exceeded. They are here because they want to be here, and it makes me want to be here too. I can’t wait to recommend CIEE to my friends at home.

The staff is friendly, flexible, and above all - passionate. Every expectation was exceeded. They are here because they want to be here, and it makes me want to be here too. I can't wait to recommend CIEE to my friends at home.

It was a very good program, I learned a lot and to experience was very goo -- the only reason why I gave an 8 instead of a 10 is because I feel like things could of been more organized, and also for how much I paid, CIEE could have covered more costs during the semester

I think that the staff here in CIEE are very helpful. Also I think that all the trips that come with the program are not only fun, but helpful that we get to see more of the country than being only in classes and learning about Morocco.

I love this program and its staff! However, it is a little expensive and I feel like people in this program should want to go to Morocco specifically, because it's not the best country for either Arabic or French

I had a phenomenal experience and I don't want to leave at all. If at the end of a program you want to stay forever that's a wonderful bittersweet feeling that I would love other friends to experience.

I love this program and its staff! However, it is a little expensive and I feel like people in this program should want to go to Morocco specifically, because it's not the best country for either Arabic or French.

I think that the staff here in CIEE are very helpful. Also I think that all the trips that come with the program are not only fun, but helpful that we get to see more of the country than being only in classes and learning about Morocco.