Semester in Rabat
Unique Experiences
Dance the night away
to Gnawa music at a party with your host family and friends
Ignite your taste buds
with cooking classes and a food tour of the “best cuisine in the world” according to Gordon Ramsay
Wander the glittering Souks of Marrakech
and explore Jemaa el-Fna, a UNESCO world heritage site
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Commonly spoken languages: Darija, standard Arabic, Tamazight, Spanish, French, and English
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UNESCO world heritage sites in Morocco
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times a day, the adhan floats over the city, calling Muslims to prayer
Your Destination
Morocco’s capital and second-largest city, Rabat is home to the country’s most prestigious universities and international institutions. Here you’ll find both the modern and traditional at the crossroads between Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Moroccan culture is varied and international, with Islamic, African, Arab, and Amazigh influences in all aspects of everyday life – from the markets to the music, the food, and the arts.
Rabat has 19 neighborhoods, each with its own distinct character to explore. The winding alleys of the 1,000-year-old medina are lined with historic souks selling spices, hand-crafted jewelry, and traditional clothes including djellabas and gandoras. Jutting over the Atlantic Ocean, the white-washed Kasbah of the Oudayas is filled with sunny terraces with a panoramic view of the ocean; perfect for lounging and sipping a glass of Moroccan mint tea. Only 10 minutes away, central Rabat is a modern metropolis with wide, palm-tree-lined boulevards and an assortment of cafes, restaurants, and shopping centers. Around every corner is an adventure and a new opportunity waiting to happen!
Excursions & Activities
- Experience more than 2,000 years of history with local tour guides that tell the stories of the Old Medina and Kasbah, the ancient ruins of Chellah, and the Andalusian Gardens
- Cross flowing streams and climb up rocky ravines as you hike through the breathtaking Atlas Mountains, stopping to visit an indigenous Amazigh Village in Ourika
- Get lost in the dusty red streets of Marrakech, where the sound of Reggada floats through the air, and storytellers, snake charmers, and musicians perform in the central square, Jemaa el-Fnaa
- Make lifelong friendships with local peers who will show you their favorite corners of Rabat
Service Learning
Get to know the Rabat community by helping refugees, immigrants, women, or children. You might:
- Tutor English students at a local community center or school
- Shadow a doctor at a children’s hospital
- Promote human rights values through working with local NGOs that support women, indigenous Amazigh people, or refugees from Africa and the Middle East
- Obtain a better understanding of the local political scene by working with a Moroccan think-tank
- Strengthen your journalism and media skills by working with local English language newspapers
Internships
CIEE Rabat offers internship placements in varying industries including human rights, education, children in need, women’s empowerment, micro-finance, journalism, NGO support, refugee advocacy, nursing, and more through partnerships with local and international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Most internship projects take place in Rabat.
If you have a specific field of interest, we will work with you to secure a customized placement.
Interning abroad will help you enhance your professional skills and improve your resume. It will also help you develop a great network of like-minded peers, mentors, and professionals by working within your industry.
Program Blogs
Study Abroad Morocco: The Ultimate Guide
Interested in exploring rich historical sites, brushing up on your Arabic language skills, and enjoying the most delectable cuisine imaginable, all while earning credits toward your degree and deepening your... keep reading
Visiting the Largest Mosque in Africa!
This week, the students had some cultural activities that introduced them to Islam's influence and relevance to Moroccan culture, traditions and everyday life. On Monday, the students had a brief... keep reading
On Fridays, We Eat Couscous
Couscous is a traditional Moroccan dish, eaten on Fridays - the day of congregational prayer. Huge groups gather around one big table a eat the dish together, normally by hand... keep reading
Housing & Meals
Housing
CIEE Rabat offers a range of housing options, whether you’re looking for an international experience with other students, or a full language and culture immersion with a local family. All housing options are located in neighborhoods with convenient public transit access, and a variety of local cafe and restaurant options.
Standard Housing: Includes a room in a homestay or shared apartment.
- Homestays: Homestays include a single private room with a local Arabic-speaking family in the heart of the Old Medina of Rabat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In many cases, families are multilingual, speaking Amazigh, Spanish, and/or French and their homes combine Western and traditional Moroccan elements. Homestays feature a living room, kitchen, and bathroom shared with the family. Wi-Fi and laundry services are provided. Students are only steps away from a variety of local cafes, family-owned bodegas, and small restaurants. Homestays are located only a few minutes away from the light rail system, which is a 30 - 40-minute commute to the CIEE study center, or students can opt for a 25-minute commute by taxi.
- Shared Apartment: Shared apartments with another CIEE student include a shared bedroom, living room, kitchen, and attached bathroom. Wi-Fi and laundry facilities are provided. Shared apartments are located in a modern neighborhood, about 25 minutes away from the CIEE Office by tram or taxi.
A note: The default criterion to assign housing is first-come, first-served; however, other factors may also be considered. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we'll let you know before you arrive. Non-standard housing options require an additional fee that can be found in the program Dates and Fees.
Meals
Homestays: Students have a homecooked breakfast and dinner of traditional Moroccan cuisine with their host family. Students are responsible for their own lunch, which could include cooking at the CIEE study center kitchen or going to a local restaurant.
Apartments: Students are responsible for their own meals, which could include cooking in the in-unit kitchen, cooking at the CIEE study center kitchen, or going to local restaurants.
Academics
This 16.5-week long program is designed for students of all majors who want to immerse themselves in a new culture and actively engage with the local community while pursuing their undergraduate degree. The flexibility and diversity of courses allow students to find a unique mix of classes they need to move forward in their degree progression by choosing ASU online courses as well as courses of local flavor, like language, international relations, business, economics, and culture. Students can choose from ASU online courses and CIEE courses offered at CIEE Rabat taught by local university professors. Immersion options include credit-bearing internships.
Cultural immersion is enhanced by our activities at the CIEE study center. CIEE Rabat provides ample cultural immersion opportunities through engagement with local organizations, diverse extracurricular activities, and multiple excursions organized by CIEE with local learning partners who provide intercultural discourse and connection.
Arizona State University: Enhance your international academic coursework with optional online courses that best align with your degree requirements and interests. ASU offers thousands of online courses in asynchronous 7.5-week sessions that fit within the CIEE academic calendar, so you can study abroad with CIEE while continuing to meet all your academic goals.
Course Information
Academic Projects
Communication, Journalism, and Media
History, Philosophy, Religion
Languages and Cultural Studies
Academic Projects
Communication, Journalism, and Media
History, Philosophy, Religion
Languages and Cultural Studies
Social Sciences
Psychology
CIEE proudly partners with ASU to deliver asynchronous, 100% online coursework that aligns with your degree requirements from anywhere you study abroad.
CIEE and ASU offer courses online per program eligibility, at no additional charge. Be sure to review online courses with your home school advisor.
Check the CIEE Program Dates and ASU start dates below to maximize course options within your program!
Search ASU Online Courses BROWSE FAQs for more INFO
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.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Scholarships & Grants
CIEE offers 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:
- Wollitzer Merit Scholarships in Area or Comparative Studies
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
- MSI Grant
- Trailblazer Grant
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.
Dates & Fees
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.
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
| Participation Confirmation | $300 * |
| Educational Costs | $14,206 ** |
| Housing | $3,250 *** |
| Insurance | $194 |
| Visa Fees | $0 |
| Total Fees | $17,950 |
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
| Meals not included in program fee | $455 † |
| International Airfare | $1,150 †† |
| Local Transportation | $100 |
| Books & Supplies | $20 |
| Personal expenses | $220 ††† |
| Total Costs | $1,945 |
*non-refundable fee
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals a day. For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $160 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
| Participation Confirmation | $300 * |
| Educational Costs | $14,706 ** |
| Housing | $2,750 *** |
| Insurance | $194 |
| Visa Fees | $0 |
| Total Fees | $17,950 |
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
| Meals not included in program fee | $455 † |
| International Airfare | $1,150 †† |
| Local Transportation | $100 |
| Books & Supplies | $20 |
| Personal expenses | $200 ††† |
| Total Costs | $1,925 |
*non-refundable fee
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals a day. For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $160 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
What's Included
Tuition
Housing
Pre-departure Advising
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation
Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city
On-site Staff
Full-time program leadership and support in your city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Excursions and/or Study Tours
Travel Protection
CIEE iNext travel protection
24/7 emergency on-site support
Our Staff
Madiha Chafiq
Center 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.
Haddou El Bour
Program Coordinator
Haddou El Bour worked with the Peace Corps for eight years. His experience varies from teaching his mother tongue of Tamazight and Moroccan Arabic to working as a training assistant...
Get Started
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Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.
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Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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