Overview
Click to OpenThis program has been suspended for fall 2021.
Explore our other active study abroad programs for fall 2021, or check out our travel assurances and updated health and safety guidelines.
Improve your Arabic and French language skills and boost your cultural knowledge while studying in the capital of this Mediterranean country. Your strong interest in Arabic and French languages, as well as Moroccan studies, culture, religion, business, and economics will be expanded with coursework, taught in English, by prestigious faculty from local and international universities at CIEE Rabat. All courses are complemented with CIEE co-curricular activities and excursions beyond the city to enhance classroom learning and provide intercultural understanding.
Follow our Travels:
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Get to know
Moroccan culture by sharing tea with your host family and conversation with Moroccan peers.
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Advance
your Arabic language skills, whether you’re beginning or experienced.
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Explore
more of Morocco’s distinctive locations, like Asilah, Casablanca, Fez, Marrakesh, Ourika, Chefchaoune, and Tangers.
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average temperature (F) in September
70.7 -
neighborhoods
19 -
year of the city’s founding
1146
Location & Culture
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The Destination
Morocco’s capital and second-largest city, Rabat has a population of 3 million. It’s home to the country’s most prestigious universities, as well as international institutions like UNESCO and the World Bank. Here you’ll find the modern and traditional, stunning colonial architecture, fascinating ruins, and lovely gardens and green spaces. In stark contrast to the medina, Central Rabat is modern, with large office buildings, palm-tree-lined boulevards, cafés, restaurants, and shopping centers.
The Culture
EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES
- Put your coursework in context and practice new language skills with visits to markets, cultural sites, and music and theater performances.
- Explore Rabat’s ancient medina and Kasbah, and see other highlights like the ancient ruins of Challah, and the Andalusian Gardens.
- See how local schools and government agencies operate.
- Reward yourself with an amazing view for climbing the High Atlas Mountains.
- Visit an Amazigh village in Ourika.
- Work with artisans in Chefchaoune.
- Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site in coastal Essaouria.
- Take an overnight excursion to Fez and Marrakesh.
PROJECTS
Service-Learning: Get to know the Rabat community by helping refugees, immigrants, women, or children. You might:
- work with sub-Saharan African migrants and refugees
- tutor English at the community center
- shadow a doctor at a children’s hospital
- promote human rights values through working with local NGOs
- promote democracy working with NGOs and the parliament
- work with an international local NGO focused on culture and art
- develop a great network of like-minded peers, mentors and professionals by working with youth empowerment communities in debate clubs at local universities
- obtain a better understanding of the local political scene by working with an NGO specialized on political research
- lead games or art projects with local students
- strengthen your journalism and media skills by working with local newspapers in English
INTERNSHIPS
CIEE Rabat offers internship placements in varying industries including: human rights, education, children in need, women’s empowerment, micro-finance, journalism, NGO support, midwifery, nursing, and more through partnerships with local and international Non-Governmental Organizations, (NGO). Most internship projects take place in Rabat - Morocco’s capital of almost two million inhabitants.
If you have a specific field of interest, we will work with you to secure a customized placement.
Like any positive internship experience, volunteering or interning abroad will help you enhance your professional skills and improve your resume. Develop a greater awareness of the world and your place in it through our volunteering and internship program.
Program Blogs
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Daily Life
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HOUSING
Homestays: Live with an Arabic- or French-speaking family in a modern or traditional home, in a Rabat neighborhood or in the outskirts of the city. Families are carefully selected by local CIEE staff members and matched carefully, according to student preferences. Most homes combine Western and traditional Moroccan elements, and families are typically multilingual. Internet provided. Commute via public transportation.
Apartments: Students can also choose to stay in shared apartments with other program participants. Commute via public transportation.
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MEALS
Homestay students have breakfast and dinner with their host families on weekdays, and additional meals on weekends. Students in apartments are responsible for their own meals.
Rabat, Morocco Where You'll Study
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A
CIEE RABAT
The prominent neighborhood of Agdal is in central Rabat, with easy access to public transportation.
Academics
Click to OpenAcademics
Ideal for students with strong interests in Arabic and French languages, as well as Moroccan studies, culture, religion, business and economics, and literature, this program allows students to enroll in special CIEE area studies courses taught by prestigious faculty drawn from various local and international universities. Students also take Arabic language courses taught by qualified language instructors from top local universities and other organizations, such as the Peace Corps.
Area studies courses and language courses are held at CIEE Rabat. In addition to coursework, students can participate in internship and volunteer opportunities. Students who want to focus on Arabic language can choose an elective language course in colloquial Moroccan Arabic. Students who want to focus on French can sign up for conversation exchange partners and tutoring in French. They can also conduct an internship or a volunteering project in French.
GPA
2.5
Language Prerequisites
There are no specific language requirements for this program.
Program Requirements
- Two-week Intensive Moroccan Colloquial Arabic
- Semester-long Modern Standard Arabic
- Three CIEE electives
PROGRAM CREDIT
Total credit, semester: 16-17 semester/24-25.5 quarter hours. Total credit, academic year: 32-34 semester/48-51 quarter hours.
Course Credit
- CIEE courses: 3-4 semester/4.5-6 quarter credits; 45-60 contact hours
- CIEE Internship: 3 semester/4.5 quarter credits; 15 seminar hours, 100-120 internship placement hours
Academic Culture
Classes are held Monday through Friday during the intensive cycle, and Monday through Thursday during the regular semester. Attendance is mandatory. Teaching methods combine lecture and interactive styles. Arabic professors provide extensive bibliographies for students. As students gain proficiency in Arabic, resident staff members encourage them to use their language skills in everyday settings.
Class Format
Students take classes only with CIEE students. Most CIEE elective courses are taught in English, although we do offer French electives. Teaching methods involve lectures, tutorials, community projects, seminars, and fieldwork. Guest lectures, field trips, and excursions are an important part of the academic curriculum.
Grading
All courses include continuous assessment and may include quizzes, exams, individual and group presentations, research projects, and papers. Courses follow a standard U.S. grading scale of A-F.
Language of Instruction
English and/or French
Courses
Click to OpenCourse Information
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 canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
Scholarships
Click to OpenScholarships & Grants
CIEE offers more than $8 million in scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application. Learn more at the Scholarships & Grants section of our website.
See more scholarship infoDates & Fees
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You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
What's Included
Click to OpenWhat's Included
Our Staff
Click to OpenOur Staff
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Madiha DeRosa
Director
Madiha received her master’s degree in international education and development from George Washington University and her bachelor’s degree in international relations from Boston University.
Get Started
Here's what you need to do to take the next steps:-
1
START AN APPLICATION
Apply Now
You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience! -
2
CONNECT WITH YOUR CAMPUS STUDY ABROAD OFFICE
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad. -
3
Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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