Morocco: Where I Made a Second Family Past Review
By Richelle W (Anthropology and Criminal Justice, Indiana University - Bloomington) for
CIEE: Rabat - Language and Culture
It showed me that no mater how different the culture we all laugh, cry, and play in very much the same ways.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
My grade was and still is a complete mystery to me.The only sure grade I was aware of was on tests. The teaching methods were actually really good and I felt I learned a lot more than I would in the states. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I wish the program was a little longer so we wouldn't have had to rush through activities, but after that I was extremely satisfied with the program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Everything was provided for me and I felt like just another part of the family |
| * Food: |
They were really responsive to food allergies. They do eat a lot of meals with bread (gluten) but they will give you alternate options. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The Gnaoua festival in was by far the most fun I've had in my life. Everywhere we went was an adventure! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Morocco seemed safer than any of my trips to Europe. as long as you watch your bags and keep valuables out of open pockets when you are in heavily crowded areas you'll be fine. |
| 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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Arabic 250 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Many people didn't speak English or not enough to hold a solid conversation so practicing was as easy as shopping. Staying with a host family also made it easier to practice just speaking with your family helped. |
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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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? | Try something new or scary. You'd be surprised by how much you may like it. Whether it's a new food, activity, or buying something that seems utterly ridiculous, just do it. It's a memory made and you'll probably regret not doing it when you get home. This program can fit any type of student, there's something there for everyone. |
