I wanted to go to Morocco because it is somewhere that many people haven't been to. I was also really excited about the cultural immersion and getting to know a place I wasn't familiar with at all. I was also really excited about the community service aspect of the trip because I knew that I could have a lasting impact on the community that we were staying with.
Alumni Spotlight: Alice Markey
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Alice is a high school student in Cleveland Ohio, and traveled to Morocco with Rustic Pathways in 2018. She hopes to continue traveling and swimming competitively in college while majoring in Environmental Studies.
Why did you choose this program?
What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?
Rustic Pathways did a great job of informing us about every aspect of the trip. They were meticulous in their Risk Management Plan, and they had a plan for every possible thing that could go wrong, so I knew I was in good hands. They also made sure to give us information about the culture and even recommended books to read that were set in Morocco.
Lastly, they were conscious of the impact of the service projects. They weren't just going in and building stuff that the community didn't need; they talked to the community to find service projects that were meaningful for both the community and our group. With all these things, I felt that I was really prepared to go on the trip, and that Rustic Pathways would do an amazing job.
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?
If you are considering going overseas with any group, I would say just go for it. It might seem daunting at first, but once you meet the other people on your trip and get to know the locals, you will literally feel like you are home. Whatever program you sign up for, be ready to make memories, work hard, and leave feeling like you were a citizen of that country, not just a tourist.
What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?
During our service days, we slept in a building in the Sheik's complex. We would have a traditional breakfast and then split into two groups for service. We had many projects, including tutoring kids in English, building a community center, and gardening. After the morning session, we would all come back to the Sheik's house to have lunch and then go to service in the afternoon. Before dinner and during any downtime we had, we would play games with our Rustic leaders, talk to the locals, or take a nap!
Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?
My biggest fear about this trip was that my group wouldn't get along. Even though everyone on the trip was from my school, I didn't know some of them really well. However, as the trip went on, every day we had so many opportunities to get to know each other better and build great relationships. Another thing that brought us closer was the hard physical work we did. It was very satisfying to see after an afternoon of mixing cement or hauling rocks that we were actually making progress on our projects, and we could all talk about our experiences and perspectives together. In the end, we got to know each other really well, and we were like a family.
What are some tips for preparing for the trip?
I would suggest reading the itinerary carefully and bringing layers. It can get very cold at night in the mountains, and you will be glad you brought an extra sweatshirt or light coat. It's also a good idea to bring extra sunscreen and sunglasses! Finally, I would say bring more snacks than you think you will need. You'll be using a lot of energy walking everywhere and doing service, so you'll want to have a snack in case you have to wait a while before the next meal. If you think you have too much, you can always share with your friends!