Feeling Welcomed: A Semester in Rabat Past Review
By Elizabeth Beaton (Mount Holyoke College) - abroad from 08/27/2017 to 12/23/2017 with
AMIDEAST Rabat - Area & Arabic Language Studies
I gained confidence in my speaking ability and also improved my problem solving and communication skills.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Both the Arabic professors and the content class professors are very personable, approachable, and knowledgeable. They are very supportive during research projects and the classes are a mix between lectures and discussions. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administrative staff in country was supportive and experts on how to travel around Morocco and on sites within Rabat. Communication styles in Morocco are different than I was used to in the US. I sometimes felt outside of the loop. However, this was more of a cultural difference than a program issue. Overall, the administration is very friendly and helpful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had a wonderful time living with a host family and it really exposed me to more aspects of Moroccan culture. |
| * Food: |
I am a vegetarian and I also am allergic to dairy products and I was able to find plenty of food to eat and people here were understanding of my allergy once I explained clearly what foods I can and cannot eat. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
AMIDEAST organizes cultural dialogues with Moroccan students and arranges a language partner for each student. This helped me to form bonds with local students and also I felt connected with the local culture via my host family. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The program arranges for a doctor if a student is sick and the doctor will either come to the AMIDEAST center or to the students home. This service is very quick. |
| * Safety: |
Living in a city I needed to be more careful with traffic (ie crossing the street, cars, motorcycles) and also I recommend drinking bottled water for the first couple days and gradually introducing tap water just to be on the safe side. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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 was very easy to live in Rabat and to travel on some weekends within the country on a student's budget. Additionally, AMIDEAST provides a $15 food stipend each week which goes a long way. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $25 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I recommend eating meals with your host family and buying clothes second hand in the old city (the medina) to save money to allow for more travel. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
In addition to language classes the program helped to facilitate relationships with Moroccans so that I could practice my Arabic. |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Second Year Arabic |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Spend time building friendships with Moroccans and then make it clear that you are excited to improve your Arabic and they will be happy to help. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | To bring warm clothes to Rabat because in the winter months in does get very cold and wet. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
