Here we go! A journey begins f L' Maghreb
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Salam mn L' Maghreb!
On Sunday, our Rabat Language & Culture Session I students arrived to Morocco after a long day of travel. Upon landing in Casablanca, you can see the mixture of emotions amongst students: anxiousness, excitement, exhaustion and eagerness. Host families were patiently waiting to meet their new daughters and sons with open arms. Once students arrived to the Rabat study center they were finally able to meet their new families for the month. For the rest of the day they were able to get the rest they needed to start fresh and officially embark on their Moroccan adventure the next day.
During the first week of the Arabic Language & Culture program, students are placed in their respective language groups and participate in an orientation. Orientation provides students with the basic tools to navigate life in Morocco during their month stay. Monday was orientation day for session one students and they were taught about host family dynamics, Hshuma culture, the importance of food in Morocco, basic language, among many other things.
As part of orientation students had the opportunity to meet CIEE cultural peers, who volunteer throughout the program to help students adapt to and learn about Moroccan culture. Along with the cultural peers students had their first glimpse of Agdal- the district of Rabat where our study center is located in and learned how to move about the area The tour gave students a better sense of the area and helped them feel more confident in themselves, because for most students this will be their first extended abroad experience.
After their Agdal tour, as a welcome to Morocco, students were taken to a local favorite here in Rabat, Yamal Acham for a tasty lunch. Tomorrow, students will start their first MSA and Darija classes, where they will be able to learn new language skills, which they will apply in their daily life in Morocco.
That’s all for day one, more to come soon!
Bslama Alikum!
-Program Leader Andi
Glossary:
“Salam mn L’Maghreb” = Hello from Morocco
“Hshuma” = Shame: In Morocco there are many things that may be frowned upon and therefore, shameful.
Agdal = the district of Rabat where the study center is located
MSA = Modern Standard Arabic or commonly known as Classical Arabic
Darija = Moroccan local dialect
“Bslama Alikum” = Goodbye to you all!
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