Alright finally got to some reliable wifi and wanted to take advantage of some down time to write down my expectations as well as some of my first impressions!
Expectations:
- To grow as an individual on this program and become more open minded and independent
- To become proficient in Arabic and the Darija the Moroccan Dialect
- To at times be completely overwhelmed by cultural differences
- To feel lost and overwhelmed at times or get frustrated by inability to communicate
- To eventually feel at home and comfortable here
- Form lasting and meaningful relationships with my host family, students and staff on the program as well as the locals around Rabat
- To apply both my majors to my study and grow academically
- To drink lots of Moroccan tea :)
-To try something new whenever possible
Arriving into Morocco I was super happy to meet everyone and for the first time in three weeks not be in charge of planning out the schedule for the day, or meals and accommodation. Everyone of the program is very friendly and equally excited to be in Morocco. After our first Moroccan dinner we had the night to ourselves and a group of us decided to explore the souk (the market). There is just so much to take in: the sights of the different types of people, the smells of spices, and sounds of roosters (theres one next to our school building) the chickens being weighed in the market, the languages of French, Arabic, and Berber and the call to prayer every day. Morocco is also hot and sweaty especially because as women we cant't wear anything shorter than our knees or have our shoulders show. Learning how to not trip over my long skirt has been quite the experience as has trying to communicate with people in the souk or on the street. Most only speak French or Darija so well see how fast I can pick up both! I got to run to dinner but more to come! We start learning Arabic this week and will meet out host families soon!
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