Summer Study Abroad Programs in Morocco

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.

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.

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.

Seamester was the adventure of a lifetime. I went into it not knowing how to sail but wanting to learn, and came out of it not only with that knowledge, but also with memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me so many new things about myself. The staff members were amazing with their teaching and support, especially when times got rough. Their diligence ensured we all made it safely across the pacific. I also loved the places we visited, with my favorites being the Galapagos, Mo'orea, and the Panama Canal. The class schedule could be challenging at times, and waking up for watch in the middle of the night was definitely not my strong suit, but overall I had an amazing semester. I couldn't recommend Seamester enough and I'm so grateful for this wonderful experience.

I took a gap year after high school and chose to spend my Fall onboard S/Y Argo and sail from Palau, through Indonesia, to Bangkok Thailand. I had some scuba diving experience, but had never even been aboard a sailboat before. The Seamester staff was supportive and amazing. I made some of my strongest friendships and had the most amazing experiences, from diving with oceanic manta rays to long night watches sailing through the rough South China Seas. I learned so much about diving, sailing, and marine sciences, as well as so much about myself as a person. I would recommend Seamester to anyone considering it!

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.

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.

Best think I have ever done in my life I have learned so many new things the people the places the school it was all so amazing. From waking up in the morning to 25 other random people from around the world with the biggest smiles on their faces was so awesome. This made me realize what I want to do with my life and it was the best thing I’ve ever done

This was the best thing that I have ever done in my life opened my eyes to a whole new world that I am obsessed with now. I would do anything to go back right now. From the lifestyle of waking up early morning yo a boat filled with smiles to the long passages going crazy together I miss this lifestyle. If you do this trip you will not regret it at all This made me switch up the way I lived it showed me to appreciate everything so much more. From my mindset to my new unrest this trip really changed my life I love everything that we did with the trip. I love every single person I met and we all still talk just about everyday. This creates connections with people from all around the world Best thing in my life so far hopefully I’m coming back to work for you guys :)

I had the privilege of attending Sea|mester in Spring 2019 for the Antigua Yacht Regatta voyage on S/Y Ocean Star. I am now a graduating senior and recently was accepted into graduate school to study great white sharks-a dream of mine for many years. During the time I was at sea exploring the Caribbean, learning to sail, and becoming a Divemaster, I wrote a collection of personal essays, interweaving the area’s biology and ecology with personal introspection about how these ideas related to my growth, and I watercolored scientific illustrations of fish and invertebrates which resulted in winning my college’s Outstanding Honors Thesis Award. My time on Ocean Star was instrumental to my achievements. Onboard, I gained confidence in myself and my passions, and came away knowing that the ocean was what I wanted to devote my life to and that I had the ability to make a difference. So thank you, Sea|mester. Thank you for giving me, along with every other student who gets to be involved in this program, opportunities that can change lives.

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 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!)

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.

For a while I was nervous about voyage but quickly realized that everyone was in the same position as me. The community that was built on this trip was enough to make it all worth it. We visited some of the most unique and beautiful places i've ever been to and it enabled me to see a new part of the world.

Everything was perfect ! From the staff helping me prepare for my voyage on S/Y Ocean Star, to the crew for being so amazing. I made some of the best memories of my life during seamester. Some things I'll never forget include deep diving in Saba, small boat sailing, exploring the islands as well as countless others !

I had amazing journey on Ocean Star through the Caribbean that I will never forget. The sights you see are just incredible and won’t stop reminiscing over. Everyday brings new challenges and adventures that will push you to better yourself.