History and Culture in Rabat
School Trip Abroad with CIEE
Lead your students on an enriching journey to Rabat, Morocco, a city where ancient traditions intertwine with modern life. This immersive program is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of Moroccan society, its rich history, and the nuances of the local culture and language. A cornerstone of this immersion is the homestay experience, where students will integrate into Moroccan culture by living with a carefully selected and vetted local host family. This experience is designed to foster language acquisition and cultural exchange, complementing their exploration of Morocco’s history.
The Destination
Situated on the Atlantic Coast, Rabat, Morocco is a capital city where ancient history meets modern life. This coastal town offers a unique blend of traditional and contemporary architecture, lush gardens, and a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere.
Dating back to its 10th-century origins, Rabat reveals historical significance at every turn. Its streets present a cultural mosaic of styles, from old-world marketplaces to the elegant lines of French Colonial architecture. This unique setting provides a living classroom, inviting students to explore diverse facets of Moroccan culture.
Rabat’s coastal location, historical significance, and UNESCO world heritage site status, make it an ideal location for examining Moroccan identity, history, and local culture on a CIEE school trip.
Cultural Awareness
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. No matter what program you choose to design with CIEE, our staff will be on hand throughout the program to provide advice, resources, and support.
Activities & Excursions
Sample Cultural Activities
All programs include a variety of cultural activities such as:
- Cultural Games – Students will play classic Moroccan games with local peers and introduce locals to some of their favorite American games.
- Henna Workshop – Students will learn about the cultural significance of henna, practice creating their own design, & receive a traditional henna temporary tattoo themselves.
- Calligraphy Class – Students will join a hands-on workshop exploring the art of Arabic calligraphy.
- Darija at a Market – Practicing Darija, Morocco’s Arabic dialect, students will role-play as buyers and sellers, practicing social interactions.
Please note activities are examples and subject to change. As we plan your program, we will work with you to finalize a list of place-based, immersive experiences that are the right match for your group and academic goals.
Sample Excursions
Excursions are included in this program and are designed to enhance the experience and provide students with deeper immersion into the local culture. Examples include:
- The Crossroads of Civilization in Rabat: Students will go on a 2-hour exploration with an academic guide to discover Rabat’s major landmarks and the influence of colonization on the city architecture.
- Day Trip to Tangier: Students will embark on a scenic tour of Tangier, a historic port city on the Strait of Gibraltar that has long served as a bridge between Africa and Europe.
- Overnight in Marrakech: Students will visit the iconic Jamaa El-Fna square, wander through its vibrant medina, and discover historic palaces, colorful souks, and the peaceful Majorelle Gardens.
What's Included
Every program is designed in close collaboration with the expertise of the CIEE High School Custom team and our full-time local staff in Rabat in a way that fits your specific academic goals. You can customize our standard itinerary for this program as much or as little as you want. Our custom high school trips include:
- Interactive classes
- Cultural activities
- Housing (host family included; hotels also available)
- All meals in Morocco
- In-country transportation and logistics
Beyond these inclusions, every CIEE custom school trip provides additional support including on-site orientations, 24/7 emergency support, comprehensive insurance coverage, and marketing resources to help you promote your program to your students.
Health, Safety, & Security
With over 7 decades of experience, CIEE is a global leader in health and safety. Each of our sites undergoes regular assessments aligned with rigorous international risk management standards and data, ensuring the successful facilitation of every program. You can focus on your students and their experience, knowing CIEE’s dedicated Health, Safety, and Security team has your back. Discover more about our commitment to health, safety and security at ciee.org/safety.