A challenging and formative experience Past Review
By Matthew C (Multiculturalism and Human Rights, Northwestern University) - abroad from 08/30/2015 to 12/12/2015 with
SIT Study Abroad: Morocco - Human Rights, Social Justice, and Cultural Transformation
During that time, I learned a great deal about Moroccan culture, history and politics, but also about self reliance, overcoming challenges and confronting others. We had the opportunity to engage with a diverse range of members of Moroccan civil society and academia. We were also able to explore and get to know the diverse geography of the country, visiting many different cities and regions. Over all it was a formative experience where I grew and learned considerably.
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. |
Much of the educational rigor was the students' responsibility to determine. Our professor provided us with influential guest lecturers who provided us with inside insight on Moroccan culture and civil society. He trusted students, however, to do a lot of learning independently, giving resources but allowing students to explore on their own. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The host country administration worked a lot to ensure a clean integration into the host culture. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host mother was very kind. It did make me uncomfortable that she was paid, and she could be impersonal at times. |
| * Food: |
Food was clean and delicious. All food provided by my host family and host organization was clean. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It was mostly our independent responsibility to engage with the local culture. My host mother provided as a primary access to local culture and language. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
European-quality health care was readily available. Our program coordinator was willing to accompany us to interpret. |
| * Safety: |
The city had rather high rates of poverty but was among the safer cities in the country. Street harassment was a constant problem. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
There was definitely room for improvement, but our academic director really made the program worth it. |
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) |
Food was very cheap. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | No. |
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 |
We would frequently use Arabic in everyday engagements and spent 3 hours a day studying Arabic. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | Arabic 101 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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? | You will have to be more self reliant than you think. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
