Information for term Leadership & Service in Youth Development
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenDiscover a kaleidoscope of cultures while living, serving and mentoring in this friendly Moroccan community.
This program is based out of the American Language Center (ALC), a non-profit with over 30 years of experience working with local NGOs on cross-cultural exchange. Through the ALC’s myriad outreach programs, you’ll work with local youth, collaborate with Moroccan peers, and learn to look at complex issues from multiple perspectives.
You’ll pack a lot into these three weeks, and options abound: Mentor underprivileged youth at a local association whose mission is to integrate youth into their community. Experience different forms of service: Help lead innovative project-based learning workshops, help tutor English for after-school programs, or take part of planning and implementing environmental activities with local public schools. Create blog posts for the CIEE student blog and collaborate with peers to raise awareness on education, the environment, and a range of social issues.
Hot topics make for interesting discussions: immigration, indigeneous communities, women’s rights, the perception of Islam in America, and more. With students from local high schools, you’ll engage in conversations designed to make you think. You’ll also work together to put that collective energy into action — by working in teams to tackle social issues in creative ways.
Living with a homestay family, you’ll get a warm welcome and a rare glimpse of Moroccan traditions. Together you’ll shop, prepare meals, and gather around the family table. In your free time, you can dabble in Moroccan pottery and play soccer, ping pong, or volleyball at the city beach. Added bonus: You’ll also have access to all the ALC’s clubs and offerings — from sports, music and movies to public speaking, and debate.
Follow our Travels:
The Take-Aways
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LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
Work in tandem with the American Language Center to support local non-profits in their community outreach. Reflect on your own leadership style and strengths as you lead activities and workshops for the local youth and learn how to work across culture lines!
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LIFELONG SKILLS AND FRIENDSHIPS
After just 3 weeks away, you'll build self-confidence, gain a broader world view, improve your interpersonal communication skills and make lifelong friends from all across the U.S.
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CREDENTIALS FOR YOUR FUTURE
Topics for your college essays, experience to inform your future career, a Certificate of 50 hours of Service Learning.
Location & Culture
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The Destination
Relax in a café with a cup of mint tea or stroll through the Kasbah in this quiet seaside city.
Mohammedia is a small port city set between Casablanca and Rabat on the Mediterranean coast. A working fishing port, it offers a more authentic portrait of local life than its more touristy neighbors. The east side of the city is famous for its swimming beaches, whereas other city beaches are rough and rocky. Many find it a welcome respite when looking to escape the busy life of nearby cities.
Founded a thousand years ago under the Almoravid dynasty, then visited in the 14th and 15th century by merchant ships from Europe, Mohammedia embodies a rich mix of cultural influences. This is best reflected in its cuisine: A mix of North African Amazigh, Arab, and Mediterranean traditions, fused with European and West influences.
Souks (markets) are a major feature of Moroccan life, and many are overflowing with seasonal fruits. Along with various kinds of dates, you’ll find grapes, figs, melons, peaches and the local prickly pear (cactus fruit). Bread is a huge part of the Moroccan diet and you’ll find freshly baked bread (eaten with butter, olive oil and jam) at bakeries and shops around town. Street food includes kebabs or spicy merguez sausages, roasted chickpeas and peanuts, and sfenj (delicious doughnut-shaped fritters).
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Mohammedia.
Daily Life
Click to OpenDaily Life
Every day brings new discoveries and fun, but you can always count on a perfect balance between interactive instruction, excursions and free time! Here's what to expect on a typical day:
- 7:00 am: Get up and have breakfast at your dorm/hotel
- 8:00 am: Walk or take public transportation to CIEE for morning instruction
- 9:00 am - 12:00 pm: Interactive class with a local teacher. Format may change to workshops or guest lectures, depending on the day.
- 12:00 pm - 1:00pm: Find a fun spot to grab lunch with your friends (your program tuition includes a stipend for lunches).
- 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm: Gather back at CIEE to go on today's cultural activity or excursion.
- 1:30 pm - 5:00 pm: Each activity or excursion is designed to echo what you learned in class that morning.
- 5:00 pm - 7:00pm: Free time! Hang out with your friends and shop. Commute back to your hotel/dorm.
- 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Dinner
- 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Wrap up any homework. Usually just readings or personal research for your project.
- 10:00 pm: Lights out!
Check out the blog posts to discover more about daily life and excursions on program.
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Carefully Screened Homestay
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24/7 Support from your CIEE program leader and in-country CIEE staff members
Program Blogs
Click to OpenProgram Blogs
Activities
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Sample Activities
- Take a Moroccan cooking class
- Learn about multiculturalism and the West African influences in Morocco in an African dance workshop. Try your hand at Moroccan pottery in a creative workshop
- Learn the intricate art of Moroccan henna
- Join the festivities at a Moroccan dress party
Excursions
- Rabat: Rock the Kasbah L’Oudaya, tour the Museum of Modern Art and Archaeology, visit the old medina, Roman ruins and Chellah Gardens overlooking the ancient royal cemetery.
- Casablanca: Visit Casablanca and the Hassan II Mosque, the only mosque open to non-Muslims in Morocco.
- Chefchaouen: Embark on a multi-day excursion to see the riches of the city known as “The Blue Pearl,” due to its blue walls and scenery, and the Riff Mountain region, rich in Amazigh culture.
- Day trip to Meknes with Moroccan high schoolers which includes (Roman ruins of Vouliblis, village of Moulay Idriss (birthplace of Islam in Morocco, and imperial city of Meknes)
Please note this list of activities is based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to both adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when revising itineraries is always to enhance your experience. Every activity is designed to provide you with a deep immersion in your topic, local culture and sights. Get ready for maximum fun!
Dates & Fees
Click to OpenDates & Fees
ELIGIBILITY
- No previous language experience required.
- Program open to all current high school students: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors.
- For scholarship eligibility requirements, please check our Scholarship page.
APPLICATION FEE
$25
Program scholarships and tuition include iNext Travel Insurance, but do not cover the cost of flights. More details about tuition inclusions can be found here.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Session I 2023 3 weeks | Deadline Passed | Jun 18, 2023 | Jul 8, 2023 |
$5,250 |
| Summer Session II 2023 3 weeks | Deadline Passed | Jul 9, 2023 | Jul 29, 2023 |
$5,250 |
Looking for funding?
Our Staff
Click to OpenOur Staff
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Madiha Chafik
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.
Ready to change your life?
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