SIT human rights and Multiculturalism in Morocco was a life-changing cultural opportunity Past Review
By Allison W (IPE, Fordham University) for
SIT Study Abroad: Morocco - Human Rights, Social Justice, and Cultural Transformation
It was an incredible experience and I would not change anything about it, My study abroad experience has completely changed my outlook on Morocco and the Middle Eastern culture as well as allowed me to learn so much about a culture so completely different to our own here in the US
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It was based mostly on a lot of in class time/work to leave more time open to explore the community out of class, good class seminars of Moroccan culture and political life |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Program size was perfect, the staff at the center where we studied were very helpful and friendly, some seminars could have been a bit more organized. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
|
| * Food: |
very accomodating of dietary restrictions, which is great because Moroccans do not really know much about Vegetarians but the program did a lot to always make sure all dietary needs were taken care of |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
we spent a night in the Saharan Desert in tents which was the most incredible thing i have ever done, as well as a week spent in a rural village in the Moroccan mountains |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
The city overall is pretty safe, just beware of pickpockets and always use good commen sense and street smarts, be careful to try and not travel alone at night |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
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) |
|
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Moroccan exchange rate is really great so it is difficult to rack up huge expenses, I would just say that you really need to bargain down the prices where ever you go |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
most people in morocco do not speak english but love when you try even the tiniest bit of Arabaic with them and will usually try to help you as much as possible, so do not be shy in speaking arabic with Moroccans in everyday situations! Also a lot of homestay families do not speak english so trying to speak to them in arabic will help you improve! |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
