Study Abroad in Rabat with CIEE | Language & Culture

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Study Abroad in Rabat

Program Overview

Whether your Arabic is rudimentary or advanced, the CIEE Language and Culture study abroad program in Rabat is designed to help you develop both your language skills as well as your understanding of contemporary Morocco and give you insight into country’s role in the Arab world and its ties to Europe.

These goals are met through coursework and a variety of community engagement and field-based research opportunities. Students with strong French language skills can also take elective courses in French, adding to the overall cultural and linguistic experience.

Study abroad in Rabat and you will:

Choose an Arabic language course at your level, beginner through advanced
Participate in elective courses taught in English and French focusing on Moroccan and Arab studies, and the CIEE core course with one week in Fez or Marrakech
Engage the community through local volunteer opportunities
Immerse yourself in the culture through trips to local markets, performances at the National Theater, and field trips including a visit to the ancient ruins of Chellah, and excursions to Chefchaouen and other popular Moroccan cities

The CIEE Difference

Coursework

In addition to language learning, study abroad in Rabat allows you to explore a host of topics through electives offered in English, Arabic, and French, including literature, The Koran, political and historical perspectives, business issues in the Arab world, and gender dynamics, race, and ethnicity in Morocco. Interested and eligible students may undertake an internship for credit, typically with local NGOs and private institutions.

Volunteering

Learn from and give back to your host community. In Morocco, you may choose from a variety of volunteer activities with local NGOs, schools, and other organizations. Possible examples include projects with students who are visually impaired, mentally challenged youth, women’s groups, and Berber groups.

Excursions and Cultural Activities

The Language and Culture study abroad program includes a series of required and optional cultural activities and field trips in and around Rabat. Examples of local cultural activities include concerts and festivals; group activities in the Medina and Kasbah; field trips to the ancient ruins of Chellah and the Andalucian Gardens, and visits to local elementary schools and government agencies. As part of the language courses, you may practice your newly acquired language skills by visiting local markets and attending music and theater performances. The program also includes a one-week study tour to either Fez or Marrakech.

Dates, Deadlines & Fees

We want to make sure you get the most out of your experience when you study abroad with CIEE, which is why we offer the most inclusions in our fees.

Tuition and housing
Pre-departure advising and optional on-site airport meet and greet
Full-time program leadership and support
Field trips and cultural activities
CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits

Please note, program dates are subject to change. Please contact your CIEE Study Abroad Advisor before purchasing airfare. Click the

button to view more detailed information about dates and fees as well as estimated additional costs. Please talk with your University Study Abroad Advisor about additional fees that may be charged by your home institution when participating in a program abroad.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Costs

Fall 2014

04/01/2014

TBA

$15,850

Program Fees

In addition to the items outlined below, the CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

Participation Confirmation *

$300

Educational Costs **

$12,323

Housing ***

$3,125

Insurance

$102

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

* non-refundable

** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

*** Includes most meals

Estimated Additional Costs

Meals not included in program fee

$500

International Airfare *

$1,750

Local Transportation

$150

Books & Supplies

$150

Personal expenses

$1,100

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

* round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

Spring 2014 (16 wks)

11/01/2013

01/15/2014

05/06/2014

$15,850

Program Fees

In addition to the items outlined below, the CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

Participation Confirmation *

$300

Educational Costs **

$12,323

Housing ***

$3,125

Insurance

$102

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

* non-refundable

** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

*** Includes most meals

Estimated Additional Costs

Meals not included in program fee

$500

International Airfare *

$1,750

Local Transportation

$150

Books & Supplies

$150

Personal expenses

$1,100

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

* round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

Spring 2015

11/01/2014

TBA

Program Fees

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

Estimated Additional Costs

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

Academic year 2014-2015

04/01/2014

TBA

$30,100

Program Fees

In addition to the items outlined below, the CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

Participation Confirmation *

$300

Educational Costs **

$23,448

Housing ***

$6,250

Insurance

$102

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

* non-refundable

** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

*** includes most meals

Estimated Additional Costs

Meals not included in program fee

$1,000

International Airfare *

$1,750

Local Transportation

$300

Books & Supplies

$300

Personal expenses

$2,200

Expenses during break **

$500

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

* round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

** academic year students are responsible for meals during the semester break

2.75 Overall GPA

Eligibility

Overall GPA 2.75
2 semesters of college-level French or Arabic or equivalent

Recommended Credit

Total recommended credit for the semester is 16–17 semester/24–25.5 quarter hours and 32–34 semester/48–51 quarter hours for the academic year.

Course contact hours are 45 hours with recommended credit of 3 semester/4.5 quarter hours, unless otherwise indicated.

Program Requirements

Students enroll in Intensive Moroccan Colloquial Arabic during the first two weeks of the program. During the regular academic session, all students enroll in Modern Standard Arabic and the CIEE core course, Contemporary Moroccan Society and Culture. In addition, students choose two CIEE elective courses. Students interested in furthering their language skills may choose to enroll in the optional Moroccan Colloquial Arabic course as one of their electives .

The majority of CIEE elective courses are taught in English, although at least one elective course is offered in French each semester.

Study abroad students participating in the academic year program are not required to take the CIEE core course during their second semester. These students take Modern Standard Arabic and three elective courses, one of which may be the organizational internship. They may also take the Moroccan Colloquial Arabic course.

About The City

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Rabat, Morocco’s capital and second largest city, has a population of three million. Rabat hosts Morocco’s most prestigious universities, as well as many international institutions such as UNESCO and the World Bank. The city offers a combination of the modern and traditional, and provides a wide range of opportunities for students to experience its culture through art exhibits, music, and theater. Central Rabat has a modern infrastructure with large office buildings, palm tree-lined boulevards, cafés, restaurants, and shopping centers.

Meet The Staff

Madiha DeRosa

Madiha DeRosa is the Resident Director of the CIEE Rabat Study Center. She received her M.A. in International Education and Development from George Washington University and a B.A. in International Relations from Boston University. Bicultural and multilingual, Madiha has worked with both American and Moroccan university student and faculty groups. She brings a strong background in student services, teaching, and intercultural project coordination.

Housing & Meals

Students live with Moroccan families in modern or traditional homes in various neighborhoods throughout Rabat. Families are carefully selected by local CIEE staff. Most homes combine western and traditional Moroccan elements and families are typically multilingual. Study abroad host families provide breakfast and dinner on weekdays and additional meals on the weekend. Students use public transportation to commute to and from their housing.

Orientations

You'll begin your study abroad experience in Rabat even before leaving home by participating in a CIEE online pre-departure orientation. Meeting with students online, the resident director shares information about the program and site, highlighting issues that alumni have said are important, and giving you time to ask questions. The online orientation allows you to connect with others in the group, reflect on what you want to get out of the program, and learn what others in the group would like to accomplish. CIEE’s aim for the pre-departure orientation is simple—to help you understand more about the program, and identify your objectives so that you arrive well-informed and return home having made significant progress towards your goals.

A three-day study abroad orientation conducted in Rabat at the beginning of the program will introduce you to the city, culture, and academic program, and provide you with practical information about living in Morocco. You'll begin the intensive modern colloquial Arabic course during orientation. Ongoing discussions and a re-entry workshop at the end of the semester are designed to help you with cross-cultural adjustment and adaptation.

Internet

You are encouraged to bring a wireless-enabled laptop. Most of the homestays offer Internet access. You'll also have access to the Internet at the Université Mohamed V, Souissi, the Qalam wa Lawh Arabic Language Center, and at Internet cafés throughout the city.

Academics

Established in 2008, the Language and Culture program gives students the opportunity to enroll in special CIEE area studies courses taught by faculty from the Université Mohammed V. Students also take Arabic language courses taught by qualified language instructors from local universities and other organizations such as the Peace Corps.

Area studies courses and language course are held at the CIEE Rabat Study Center. The program is designed to provide students intensive Arabic language training along with a multifaceted academic analysis of Moroccan culture and history. In addition to the courses offered, students can engage themselves locally through internship and volunteer opportunities. Students wishing to focus a larger percentage of their studies on Arabic language may choose to take an elective language course in colloquial Moroccan Arabic.

The program is suitable for students with a strong interest in Arabic and French languages, as well as a variety of academic disciplines, including Moroccan studies, religion, business and economics, and literature.

Internship

CIEE resident staff assist interested academic year students in finding a suitable community internship. These internships must be planned well in advance and prospective participants must have their proposals approved by CIEE and their home institutions prior to the start of the program. More information on internship options can be found in the course listing.

Academic Culture

Teaching methods involve lectures, tutorials, seminars, and fieldwork. Guest lectures, field trips, and excursions are an important part of the academic curriculum and add to the total number of official contact hours each week.

Nature of Classes

Courses are for CIEE students only.

CIEE Community Language Commitment

As students gain proficiency in Arabic, resident staff encourage them to use their language skills in everyday settings. The more students participate, the more a community that contributes to Arabic language proficiency and understanding of Moroccan society develops.

Grading System

All courses utilize a continuous assessment model and may include quizzes, exams, individual and group presentations, research projects, and papers. Courses are designed to follow a standard U.S. grading scale of A–F.

Language of Instruction

Arabic
English
French

Faculty

Courses are taught by faculty from the Université Mohamed V and Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II. Language courses are taught by qualified language instructors from local universities and other organizations such as the Peace Corps. The Seminar on Living and Learning in Rabat is taught by the CIEE resident director.

Course Description

All Courses

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be cancelled due to insufficient enrollment.

CIEE Study Center Syllabi

To view the most recent syllabi for courses taught by CIEE at our Study Centers, visit our syllabi site.

Required CIEE Language Courses

ARAB 1101 MORC

Intensive Moroccan Colloquial Arabic
This course occurs during the first two weeks of the program. It is designed to help students adjust to the local Moroccan dialect and assist them with their transition into Moroccan society. The course adopts a communicative methodology and introduces local spoken Arabic in a variety of authentic life situations, helping students develop immediate survival conversational competence. Role plays and simulations, group work with native speakers, and fieldbased activities are used to increase students’ exposure to the target language. Contact hours: 50. Recommended credit: 3 semester/4.5 quarter hours.

ARAB 1001 MORC, Beginning Modern Standard Arabic I

ARAB 1002 MORC, Beginning Modern Standard Arabic II

ARAB 2001 MORC, Intermediate Modern Standard Arabic I

ARAB 2002 MORC, Intermediate Modern Standard Arabic II

ARAB 3001 MORC, Advanced Modern Standard Arabic I

ARAB 3002 MORC, Advanced Modern Standard Arabic II

These courses are offered at all levels, from beginning through advanced. The focus of the courses is on functional reading and writing for academic and professional communication purposes. The primary objectives are to help students learn the writing and phonetic systems of the Arabic language and develop a solid understanding of the academic functions of modern standard Arabic. The courses adopt an interactive and participatory methodology using various materials in authentic academic and professional communicative situations. Students are assessed on in-class work, homework, and a final examination. Contact hours: 60. Recommended credit: 4 semester/6 quarter hours.

Required CIEE Core Course

AFST 3001 MORC

Contemporary Moroccan Society and Culture
This course introduces students to various aspects of Morocco’s multifaceted culture and contemporary society. It includes discussions of Moroccan history, politics, development, economics, education, gender issues, and popular culture. The course also examines Morocco’s role in the Arab world and ties to Europe, and includes a one-week module in a different Moroccan city, such as Fez or Marrakech, to help students gain additional insight into Moroccan society. Coordinator: Abdellatif Zaki, CIEE Academic Director

Elective CIEE Language Course

ARAB 1003 MORC, Beginning Moroccan Colloquial Arabic

ARAB 2003 MORC, Intermediate Moroccan Colloquial Arabic

ARAB 3003 MORC, Advanced Moroccan Colloquial Arabic

This course is designed to provide students additional training in Moroccan volloquial Arabic. It is based on the intensive colloquial course that students take during the first two weeks of the program and helps students gain additional proficiency in the local spoken dialect. Contact hours: 45. Recommended credit: 1 semester/45 quarter hours.

Elective CIEE Courses—in English

BUSI 3001 MORC/ECON 3001 MORC

Business and Economic Issues in the Arab World
A vast geopolitical entity ranging from the Euphrates to the Atlantic Ocean, the “Arab World” hosts a wide range of population diversity at the religious, ethnic, and linguistic levels. In this course, students examine the roots and reasons that the Arab states have not been able to become a more productive group economically and have remained politically autocratic. The course focuses on the economy of the Arab countries prior to independence, post-independence economic development, and nation building. Specific attention is given to agrarian reforms, agricultural revolutions, and food shortages. Case studies are utilized to address such issues as industrialization performance and constraints, including a close look at oil, Arab investments around the world, debt in the Arab world, demography and unemployment, and both Euro-Arab and American-Arab economic relations.

GEND 3001 MORC

Gender Issues in Morocco
This course is designed to introduce students to questions related to gender in Morocco. It examines the roles that gender dynamics play in politics, education, the media, as well as in everyday life. Students explore and discuss the various issues through readings, fieldwork, observations, and research. Students also watch movies/videos, visit associations, talk to NGO activists, and communicate with Moroccan students.

INSH 3003 MORC

Organizational Internship
(The internship is available to academic year students in their second semester only.) With permission from their home institution, academic year students may undertake an internship for credit while in Rabat. Internships are typically arranged with local NGOs and private institutions in the areas of international and local community development, education, social welfare, women’s rights and political participation, and environmental protection. Students must submit a clear statement of purpose, including specific areas of interest and a résumé. Upon receipt of the approved plan, the resident director explores internship placements and meets with the student and the organization director to work out specific details of the student’s internship. Students meet regularly with an internship supervisor, maintain a journal, submit field reports, and present a final research paper that uses their experience at the organization to make inferences about issues in the region.

LITT 3001 MORC

Modern Moroccan Literature: Reflections of Social, Economic, and Political Issues
This course invites students to reflect on the ways modern Moroccan literature engages with the changing socio-economic and political conditions of the country and constitutes an important site of struggle for its practitioners. It pays particular attention to the heterogeneity of this literature, as well as to its ideological underpinnings and the textual politics it entails. Special attention is given to the construction of the other, mysticism and religion, gender politics, identity politics, modernity, the politics of memory, Western presence, and the language question.

RELI 3001 MORC

The Koran
The aim of this course is to introduce students to the major issues in the study of the Koran. It uses a comparative and interpretive approach through English readings to examine the canons of critical Arabic discourse. Specific attention is given to the structure and language of the Koran; the historical environment that helped to create the Koran; comparisons of the Koran, the Torah, and the Bible; Koranic law; and women in the Koran.

Elective CIEE Courses—in French

AFST 3002 MORC

Race and Ethnicity in Morocco
Ideas of race and ethnicity refer mainly to the classification of people and groups. Within the social sciences, anthropology especially, the concept of race seems to be discussed less and less, while questions of ethnicity are increasing. The Greeks were the first to distinguish between ethos and demos. The concept of ethnicity refers not only to the existence of ethnic groups, but also to the complex social relations between these groups, considered by others as culturally distinct. In this course, students approach the study of ethnicity by examining how ethnic groups define their differences and distinctions through contact with others. Students study important theories of race and ethnicity and analyze these theories through case studies. The course also examines how anthropologists, nationalists, intellectuals, and amazighs (Berber) in Morocco view race and ethnicity. Instructor: Naïma Chilhaoui

LITT 3002 MORC

Modern Moroccan Literature: Reflections of Social, Economic, and Political Issues
This course invites students with advanced French skills to reflect on the ways modern Moroccan literature engages with the changing socio-economic and political conditions of the country and constitutes an important site of struggle for its practitioners. It pays particular attention to the heterogeneity of this literature, as well as to its ideological underpinnings and the textual politics it entails. Special attention is given to the construction of the other, mysticism and religion, gender politics, identity politics, modernity, the politics of memory, Western presence, and the language question. Students enrolled in LITT 3001 MORC may not take this course. Instructor: Taeib Belghazi

POLI 3001 MORC/HIST 3001 MORC

Morocco, Northern Africa, and France: Political and Historical Perspectives
This course takes a comprehensive approach to analysis of the historical relationships between Morocco, Northern Africa, and France. It examines the historical weaknesses inherent in Morocco’s relationship with its neighbors and France, and the stages of colonization in Northern Africa. The colonization and annexation of Algeria by France, imperialism in Northern Africa, and the unavoidable reality of Morocco’s colonization are addressed in detail. Additional topics include Morocco’s struggle for independence, national movements, and armed resistance. The course also includes discussion of the current issues impacting Morocco, other Northern Africa nations, and the West. Instructor: Najib Mouhtadi

POLI 3002 MORC/HIST 3002 MORC

Arab Political Thought: Contemporary Issues and Historic Milestones
(spring only)
This course provides a historical depth to the major issues of contemporary Arab thought and sheds light on such notions that are wrapped in religion and may be misunderstood in the West. This historical undertaking enables students to better understand the current political situation including such complex notions as Islamism, fundamentalism, and the shock of cultures. In the second part of the course, students explore the reality of today’s Morocco and its ability to adapt successfully to modernity while keeping components of its traditions intact. Additional topics include the status of women, Sharia and democracy, Arabism, and the Moroccan political system.

CLST 3001 MORC

Seminar on Living and Learning in Rabat
(in English)
The CIEE Seminar on Living and Learning in Rabat is designed to improve students’ intercultural communication and competence while studying abroad by considering how Moroccans are different from and similar to themselves and others. The course offers opportunities, both in and outside the classroom, to develop insights and the skills necessary to interact effectively and appropriately, and to gain a better understanding and appreciation of the cultural richness of Morocco. Contact hours: 25. Recommended credit: 2 semester/3 quarter hours. Instructor: Madiha DeRosa, CIEE Resident Director

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