French 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!

My experience studying with IES Abroad in Rabat was truly life changing! The small and tightly-knit community that formed here amongst students, program staff, and faculty, as well as our loving and hospitable host families, contributed to a warm, inclusive, and welcoming environment. IES staff went above and beyond to ensure my classmates and I felt supported and safe, and enjoyed our experiences in Morocco. Navigating culture shock and language barriers became much more doable and fulfilling with the preparation IES gave us. Our classes were rigorous yet enjoyable, with many opportunities for students to expand their knowledge in fields of interest to them. Additionally, weekly cultural activities and field trips ensured that we saw many perspectives of life in our host country, while also becoming immersed in Moroccan culture. Without a doubt, I would recommend IES Rabat to any students looking for an immersive and exciting study abroad experience different from a typical exchange semester.

I was part of the Fall 2024 APA:FMS program and my experience served as a pivotal point in my academic and personal life. So much so that I joined my colleges's study abroad advising team to urge students to not only go abroad but to go abroad with APA. My review will be divided into multiple parts, ranging from the program's structure to its impact, as I look back a year later. When I approached planing to study abroad my focus was on the country(ies) that I wanted to live and study in, I did not realize how much the program I selected would influence my experience. I was lucky to be recommended APA by a friend, but I think it should be public knowledge how much of a gem APA's structure is for anyone looking to study in a francophone country. The program's mission is immersion, so there is a great emphasis and effort put towards ensuring that students experience the country as a local would. This means the team of the program is greatly involved in helping the students navigate and integrate into local life. for example, I remember the program arranged for all students to arrive at the same time so that the director of the program could pick us up and welcome us to France. Another example of how APA go about immersion is excursions. APA value academic exposure as much as cultural exposure. Meaning, while in another program I would have to plan weekend-trip, and research on my own activities to do, APA already arranged. At the beginning of the program students receive both an academic and excursion calendar. Meaning Upon arrival I had a calendar packed with plays, concerts, wine tasting, cheese tasting. museums visit, and weekend getaway to different parts of the countries already planned and organized for me to attend. to go back to the involvement of the team, I remember how the founder of the program would sometimes join the cohort to attend concerts, we had mental-health workshops, and students were invited to have coffee chats with the founded of the program. Going abroad can seem daunting, but APA has such a diverse team and they are so involved, I not only felt supported but I felt like I joined a family. APA-FMS: APA-FMS is the acronym for the multi-country study abroad program I did with APA where during one semester I lived in studied in 3 countries! whenever it is proposed to students to go abroad it's often a semester in 1 country, so I was totally captivated by the idea that within one semester I could study in three countries across two continents with very different culture(France;Morocco;Senegal). It was the best decision I could have made. Aside from immigrating to the united states as a child I had never travelled, so the program was appealing for me in the sense that it would afford me the chance to travel and get to know the countries from a local perspective. AS part of the program students will stay in each country for 5-8 weeks, and take classes that will be taught across the historical context of three countries. YES, your institution will accept the credit for the FMS classes, I go to harvard and they counted the APA:FMS classes as elective credit, but I know other institutions will count the classes towards your major requirements. The FMS program requires that all students live in homestays, meaning with host family. I was little apprehensive about the concept but it turned out to be one of the best parts of the program. first the "host family" structure looks difference for everyone, while I stayed with a family of 6 with children, someone in the program lived with an elderly grandmother living alone, another a young filmmaker. The families we lived in depended on our preferences and requests. Staying with host families helped with my homesickness as I had a support system to whom I went home to every day abroad. In France, as a Christian, I was placed with a Christian family who took me to church on Sundays and nurtured my love for yogurt by teaching me how to make it fresh. In Morocco, my host mom taught me how to bargain and my host sisters helped me discover the beaches. In senegal my host mom taught me how to cook local cuisine, she took me to her favorite hairtylist, and took me to her friend's wedding. However, the beauty of FMS is that it ensured that my experience is one and my own. My friend in the program, who is a film major, was matched with host who is a young filmmaker so while I was making yogurt thursday nights, she was out at different bars in Paris brainstorming ideas for future projects. Additionally APA's mission of immersion carries on across all three countries, meaning in every countries we are taken to art exhibition, concerts, plays, movies, restaurants.APA also organized various week-end getways to different parts of each country. Meaning, while in lived in the capital of all three countries during the program, I am well acquainted to the country side of each country and various cities in each country. Ultimately studying in 3 countries was an amazing experience. APA-FMS taught me how to trust myself as I had to navigate three countries. The multi-country program APA offers is unique as it not only provides provides substantial support and resources for students to live and study in three countries but it helps students built a network of connection that will facilitate returning to these countries. Having done the program I now have the connection 12 professors spanning from France to senegal. One of the professors from the program even wrote my recommendation letter for an internship in Europe. Having done the program I have a network of loved ones across the world as a year later I am still in contact with my host families. Academic: the program has an academic structure where professors are solicited from different universities across the the country and come to the students to teach classes. This means that as part of the FMS program you are not going to be enrolling in a university in each country but rather APA will have professors come teach your cohort at their office space. The great plus of this structure is that the cohorts are not big so you will have the opportunity to get to know your professors who are often renowned for their work in the country. Another benefit of this structure is it facilitates participation, as you are not intimidated by local students but are learning with your friends in the program. My review is overwhelmingly positive, because my experience was overwhelmingly positive. But, while the reality of this program was fun, adventurous, exciting, and beautiful, it was also difficult in some ways. As a french program, immersing yourself in french in the classroom and home can be a challenge and at times tiring when you are not used to speaking french all the time. Therefore I would recommend watching french tiktoks, reading french book, and listening to french music before and throughout the program! I would also recommend doing APA’s pre-program where you go ahead of the program and APA’s teaching staff will help you become acquainted with academic writing in a francophone context. Travelling, living and studying broad in three countries within 4 months can also be mentally and physically taxing(fatigue and mental health). So keeping up with hobbies, families and friends back home, and resting is indispensable.

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!

as a student of Arabic and International Relations, I was admittedly skeptical of the quality of the program before I went abroad, having experienced a less-than-ideal study abroad the prior summer, but this program has permanently changed my life for the better. From the distinguished and loving faculty to the hard-working staff, I felt like I was not only accomplishing my goals of learning IR, Arabic, and about Morocco, but I was being taken care of. I would highly recommend doing this specific study abroad, but really any ISA program as they've gained both my love and respect.

In my month program abroad for the summer, I enjoyed every day. Although a single class is 3 hours, there is still flexibility as in having a 4 day school week. Nothing bad could be said about the program, and comfort/safety was not a concern. I really enjoyed the excursions every weekend, and how all the students would be together on the bus chatting or taking pictures of the beautiful scenery all around Morocco. There is way more to say about the program, but I can happily say I've had no regrets as I had my own freedom along with going out with other students.

This program was incredible. The teachers were fantastic as was my host family and all of my fellow travelers. It felt like we explored every corner of Morocco, the cities, the forests, the beaches, the desert. It was so beautiful there, and the program director in Meknes was so kind and helpful. My only warning for those hoping for Arabic language immersion is that most of the people in Meknes don’t actually speak Arabic, they speak French and a local dialect.

One of the best part of IES Abroad's program in Rabat, Morocco is how immersed you become in Morocco and its culture, even to the point where waiters will tell you in Darija that you're "100% Moroccan" by the end of your program! The courses in Modern Standard Arabic and Moroccan Arabic (Darija) induce an almost exponential growth in your language abilities, while our elective courses taught in French help you with the lingua franca of this linguistically diverse country. Then, the weekly cultural activities show you the diverse identities in Morocco such as the indigenous Amazigh nations and the Sahraoui peoples through food, dress, art, and music. Our field trips take you all over the country, and even to our Spanish neighbor to show you the expansive culture and influences of the Maghreb. Finally, I also had the amazing opportunity to intern with the Moroccan Fulbright Commission during my time in Morocco, where I got to develop my interests in international education and gain some priceless professional development and experience. Overall, I found myself fully entrenched in Morocco, especially while living with my loving host family for the entire year, and now I can confidently call Rabat my home away from home.

The only words to describe the experience was life changing. Incredible staff, interesting course topics, and an even better host family. Adjusting is a little challenging but so so worth it. As a woman I often felt safer in Rabat than in the US. I got very close to my host family, and the other students in the program become your extended family, too. One of the fondest memories of my life.

My study abroad in Rabat, Morocco was unlike any academic or cultural experience I'd ever had before. In a city rich with religion, language, and life, the history and culture of Morocco were embedded into every corner, every view and every interaction I had. Along with taking relevant courses on North African politics, North African cultural identities, and media in the Middle East, all taught by Moroccan professors, my study abroad experience was enhanced through my experience living with a host family, and the relationship I cultivated with them throughout my four months in Rabat. IES Abroad Rabat also did a fantastic job of hosting weekly cultural events and organized numerous group trips to different cities and regions across Morocco; some of my favorites included Chefchaouen and the Sahara Desert! This experience not only allowed me to further explore academic interests in North African post-colonial politics but also develop personal ties in the exploration of potential career paths that could take me back to Morocco.

My time in Morocco was simply invaluable in every single way. Not only is the pre-departure process with ISA thoroughly, informative, and truly user-friendly and sufficient, but upon getting to Morocco, I soon learned why study abroad is such an important aspect of one's college experience. The program was excellent, as I took amazing classes with some of the best Moroccan professors from the local university who had first-hand knowledge of the material we studied, and I excelled in my Arabic classes, gaining a year's worth of Modern Standard Arabic in only three month's time! The excursions were eye-opening and were a blast, and the Meknes on-site team were truly like family - I miss Younes, Iman, and Oussama even now (best program guides EVER!) Cultural activities were nothing less than a blast and nothing less than educational. I'm currently looking for ways to go back! Hands-down, the most important experience in my life - my heart is in Morocco! (FYI - Best sunsets in the world!)

While I knew I wanted to go to Morocco to study abroad, I was stuck choosing between two extremely prominent, strong programs, with IES being one of them. I had all but settled on the other option when I found IES, and began to explore the website. From its online presence alone, IES stood out as a transparent, direct program that provided students with the aid and information needed to successfully study abroad; ultimately, this was what swayed me to choose IES. The communication and willingness to help students by IES only got better when I arrived in Rabat. Although I had wanted a bit more pre-departure information regarding class schedules, etc. it became clear once I arrived that some information was inherently difficult to provide, especially with housing in the medina (Rabat’s old city). However, we were taken care of every step of the way. The professors, regardless of their subjects, were always willing to help us understand different topics (even if they weren’t a part of their class!) and were so great about giving travel tips, study tips, or even just to talk about course material more conversationally. They were so eager to help and really, genuinely cared about our learning experiences. This goes beyond the professors, though, to the staff as well. Our coordinator worked (literally) day and night to make sure we were always doing okay, from having check-in meetings, to homstay inspections, to always responding to our WhatsApp messages, to even just having an open door policy where students felt comfortable walking into her office to talk. Our experiences in Morocco were improved a thousand times over because of her hard work, which often went hand in hand with the director’s work. Although he was always really busy, he always found a moment to help us out, even with figuring out travel plans. The faculty and staff at IES Rabat played a huge role in helping us feel comfortable during our time in Morocco. Beyond school though, Morocco could not have been more beautiful, or more inviting, if it had tried. Although the bustle from the walk to and from school was overwhelming at first, it soon became comforting to hear shop owners calling out their prices as food sizzled on grills in the background. We laughed with taxi drivers, bargained with shop owners, and bantered with the waiters at our regular cafe in a way that I never could have expected. I’m still so grateful for the way Morocco welcomed us, and for how its people, and especially my host family, extended their hospitality through food, sarcastic (but loving) jokes, and joy at our immersion in the culture. The people enriched every single experience, from camel rides through the Sahara to driving tours in the peninsula of Dakhla. When I think of the times I miss in Morocco, I find that what I miss most is the people that were there, and how they made each memory so much better. I don’t think I’ll ever know how to fully show my appreciation for my time in Morocco, but I do know that I’ve been home for over a month, and I still think about its beauty every day. I can’t recommend this program, or this country, enough as one of the most rewarding places to study abroad and learn about so many different topics that are rarely discussed in the Western world. I can never thank IES enough, and I know that someday I’ll be back in Morocco to adventure (and eat so much tagine) again.

My time at IES Rabat was a quality experience, getting to live with a host family and enjoy the immersion into the culture. There was something highly rewarding about implementing my Arabic learning in a true environment. Though Rabat is at times not the most lively city, it was a good introductory city that was not very overwhelming, even given the cultural differences.

Rabat, Morocco was not the first place I thought I'd be when studying abroad in Spring. But it was the place that brought forth everything I was looking for in a study abroad experience. 1) I wanted a cultural encompassment. I wanted to learn from a perspective outside of the Western scenario I’d grown up in all my life. How does a little difference highlight the gems of human life? How does it question our unquestioned habits? In Morocco I learned that difference is the warmest reason for people to reach out and connect to each other. A little willingness to speak Darija, the local dialect, and every Moroccan I met wanted to have a conversation. My host family was my real family, with astounding hospitality I could never have expected. The religion I most often heard about in news allegations at home became a cultural foundation rich in history, art, science, and morality. 2) I wanted a vibrant experience. To see lots of color, pleasing architecture, and varied nature surroundings. To taste delicious food as the true foodie I am. To surround myself in beautiful difference as loud as my senses could experience. In Rabat, I met the land of color. Where every wall, floor, and pillow can be a different pattern and official buildings were never bland. If you love food, you will LOVE Rabat. My host mom prepared every meal for her family and encouraged me to try new things. My walk home was a path of temptation from bakeries, sandwich shops, smoothie stands, fresh fruit carts. The U.S. dollar was worth about 9 Moroccan Dirhams, adding to how inexpensive it was to eat. I could enjoy a restaurant meal and dessert for less than 10 USD. 3) Coming from a wintery U.S. university, I wanted to be warm by the beach! Welcome to Rabat, where a jacket will do from January to April, and May was finally warm enough spend a day at by the water. Being so close to the ocean was amazing! If you study here, be sure to take advantage of the view, the sunscapes, soccer on the beach, and more. 4) I wanted travel opportunities and the chance for all kinds of cities and nature. Who knew Morocco is a gradient of desert, mountain, and forest terrains. Rabat’s location was excellent for reaching well known Moroccan cities for under $40 both ways. The ONCF train system made it very easy to travel. There was a train station only about a 15 minute walk from the IES center. Once in a city, I could stay in a hostel for $10 a night or split an Airbnb with friends. 5) Probably my BIGGEST reason for studying abroad was language-related. I wanted to continue learning French with native speakers. Living in Morocco meant I could start learning standard Arabic, another language goal of mine. Here I could see what it was like to live in a society where most people speak about three languages. The language dynamics and feeling on multilingualism was amazing. Moroccans were so encouraging to non-native speakers who tried to communicate. Morocco is rewarding place to learn a new language if you’re nervous about practicing. For learning standard Arabic with no prior experience, this program was a gift. I had one of the best professors who was patient, determined, and informative of the language. I communicated in French with my host family, took three classes in French (1 was at the local university), and sometimes used French to talk to barter or order food. Overall, I began to feel like Darija was the language of choice for the Moroccans I encountered. My host family spoke with each other in Darija, and not every Moroccan spoke French, which was often treated as a more academic or prestigious language. I was surrounded by both French and Arabic writing. I wouldn’t say Morocco is the best place to learn French if you want to really engage with the people there. It was a good place to practice using the French I already knew with confidence. In this way, I know I improved in my pragmatic French skills. I would still like to live somewhere where I had no choice but to speak French with locals all the time. ~~~And that is why I give a grateful shout-out to the Everything that Morocco brought me. Before ending, another subject I can touch on is my academic experience. I took 3 courses including the double-credit Arabic course, I audited 1 course, and I attended a university course in French that began later in the semester. The workload was manageable enough to travel or explore most weekends, but I did feel busy studying every week day. There was not as much work as I expected in similar subjects at my home university, but the subject material always seemed to permeate my day to day life, and time to learn outside of the classroom was much needed. If you’re heart is set on taking a university course with local students, just keep in mind that the University schedule doesn’t always work out with the IES course schedule. The limited options and university timing changes meant that not all students were able to do so.

This past summer, I traveled with IES Abroad to Morocco for a seven-week intensive language program. Overall, the experience was terrific and I would highly recommend it. The biggest strength of this program is its cultural and linguistic immersion, with classes taught solely in the focus language and an important homestay and cultural activity component. Before departure, the information provided seemed a bit sparse, but upon arrival it became clear that things like homestay address were inherently difficult to provide - due to the simple reason that many of the program's homestays had no codified address. Upon arrival, the staff was very helpful with cultural integration and navigating the new locale. Academically, the language-intensive program was very beneficial. The Modern Standard professors were excellent at teaching Arabic to English-speaking learners. The homestay structure was incredibly useful for learning the language as well. Overall, I would highly recommend this program.

Experiencing Morocco with IES Abroad was life-changing to say the least. From pairing me with the most wonderful host family imaginable to arranging immersive travel experiences, I was consistently impressed with the program. The staff at the IES Center in Rabat were welcoming and ready to help whenever we needed it. They also went to great lengths to have genuine connections with my fellow students and me throughout our time in Morocco, helping us to feel comfortable enough to ask questions and seek advice. On the administrative end of things, IES made every aspect of the experience really easy to understand. From the moment I submitted my application, a very coordinated system of knowledgeable people made sure that I was always in the know about scholarship opportunities, deadlines, updates, safety information, and useful tips. Moreover, IES offers plentiful opportunities to go above and beyond the regular program structure through opportunities to participate in internships, take classes at the local university, and research.

From the thorough orientation in Meknes to the ultimate trip to the Sahara Desert, IES Study Abroad in Rabat is an underestimated gem of a study abroad experience. Our program staff was wonderful and dedicated to helping us transition in orientation, and making sure they provided cultural activities for the students. The IES Abroad Center becomes a home away from home and a comfortable space, where all the students of the program study, work, hang out, exercise and bond. Every day was an adventure in Morocco, which was largely due to our homestay housing in the traditional Rabat Medina. The homestays, along with much of the program trips to Meknes, Volubilis, Fez, Merzhouga, Tangier, Chefchaouen, Asilah, and Spain, are planned with the goal of cultural immersion. Even a core component of the classes are geared toward exposing students to a deeper, richer, wider understanding of Moroccan culture. Morocco is still, for the most part, an unconventional location to study abroad and for that reason our program was relatively small, 33 students. This program is usually small, which sometimes can isolate us as a group because we don't interact with as many young Moroccans in college. Nevertheless, the program works on other ways for young Moroccans and Americans to meet. Furthermore, you still have the opportunity to do extensive travel while studying abroad in Rabat. The IES Program in Rabat is a convenient and well-placed city to base the Center. Although it may not be the most cosmopolitan city or have the most exciting nightlife, it is the capital of the country , which makes it a central hub for other cities in the country. Rabat and Casablanca also have cheap flights to European destinations and the lax visa policy for American passport holders makes traveling in and out of the country all the more easy. Above all, there is so much within Morocco itself, and about Moroccan culture and Moroccan people that cannot be written--it simply has to be experienced and embraced, just as Moroccans will embrace you. I recommend IES Abroad to everyone, it is hands down the BEST STUDY ABROAD SITE IN MOROCCO!

Living and studying with IES in Rabat, Morocco for four months was one of the best eras of my life. I lived with a wonderful family who introduced me to Moroccan mint tea, miloui and couscous, who took me to visit cousins in neighboring towns and taught me Arab dances. My teachers at the IES Center went out of their way to make sure I understood Arabic grammar, had the vocabulary to watch Moroccan media coverage of conflicts in the Middle East and religious celebrations in North Africa. I was able to travel each weekend as far north as Granada, Spain, and as far south as Western Sahara. I shopped in the suq for vegetables with my host mother, saw snake charmers on the outskirts of a rap show in Meknes, visited women's associations in the Atlas Mountains. IES Rabat allowed me to return to the states with too many stories, too many strange souvenirs, and a beautiful new perspective.