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Study Arabic Abroad in Morocco
Each year, hundreds of students enter Morocco from countries around the
world in order to study in Arabic language schools and Moroccan
universities. Universities in the Europe and the United States send
groups of students for up to a whole year, not only for language
classes, but also for research, cultural studies and internships.
Intensive language study in Morocco offers students an inexpensive way to complete their degree requirements, but they get so much more than that from an experience abroad. For most young students, it is the first time out of their home country. They live independently in a foreign culture, often with a local family, and learn to use the target language on a daily basis. They eat new foods, learn new ways of doing things and experience a lifestyle very different from the one ‘back home'. Living in the culture offers the added bonus of giving the students insight into the nuances of language usage that they might never understand otherwise.
Morocco has an open and friendly culture that is very accepting of foreign visitors. Although normal, common sense precautions are necessary, Morocco is a relatively safe country and Moroccans are proud of their tradition of hospitality to strangers. It's not at all uncommon to get invitations to share a meal in private homes, or even to attend a family wedding.
Because of its close proximity to Europe, travel is easy. Morocco has some of the best public transportation and roads in Africa, too. Students often make their visit do double-duty as an educational vacation. Excursions enrich the student experience by introducing them to the varied dialects and ethnic groups around the country. Most language schools offer excursions as part of their program and many offer lecture series, films and other enrichment activities.
If you are thinking of a study abroad program, some of the questions to ask are: Does the school have a good reputation? Longevity in the field? References to confirm this? What other enrichment activities do they offer and what is the cost? Should you go alone or with a university program? What is it that you need to accomplish and is Morocco the best place for it? How much time will it take? How will you finance it?
A few ideas of where to go are:
The Arabic Language Institute in Fez, Fez Morocco: www.alif-fes.com
DMG, Fez Morocco: http://www.arabophon.com/
Center for Cross Cultural Learning, Rabat, Morocco: www.cccl.ma
American Institute for Maghrebi Studies (AIMS), Tangier Morocco:
www.aimsnorthafrica.org/
IES Abroad (semester or year long programs), Rabat Morocco: www.iesabroad.org
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