Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The Best Program in Rabat Past Review

By (Sociology and Anthropology, Arabic, Swarthmore College) - abroad from 08/21/2015 to 12/19/2015 with

AMIDEAST Rabat - Area & Arabic Language Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I view the whole world differently after having studied with AMIDEAST. Foreign countries seem less like strange specters and more like places people actually live and call home. I gained confidence traveling internationally alone and working through language barriers. It was absolutely worthwhile. It was pretty difficult at times to break into the local social scene, and the group of US students was small and insular enough that it could sometimes become stifling. I think AMIDEAST could be an almost perfect program if you put in the time and energy to make friends outside the program.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

My Modern Standard Arabic class was by far the best I'd ever had. My Arabic skills improved more than I thought possible. The other courses, unfortunately, left much to be desired.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

It all depends on whether or not you want to travel independently on the weekends. If you tried, you could probably go the whole semester without spending more than a couple bucks of your own money.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 4th semester
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Administrative support in-country was very available
  • Arabic classes
  • Excursions to hard-to-reach places
* What could be improved?
  • Academic rigor
  • Communication and flow between the Washington office and in-country office
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known to start making local friends early, to prioritize my experiences outside the classroom, and lock up my valuables in my suitcase.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.