Staff Spotlight: Ali Bensebaa

My name is Ali and I am the founder and study abroad director of the Moroccan Center for Arabic Studies. I had the idea of establishing a center that would teach Arabic as a foreign language, then I was so surprised that US and other Universities were not only interested in Arabic Learning , but rather in an immersion program where students can learn a new language but most importantly be able to immerse themselves into the community where they live and thus use the language. I was very intrigued with the way students have change at the end of their programs and the amount of knowledge they have gained upon finishing their study abroad terms here with us. Thus, I was very motivated to work hard and maintain a good will for MCAS across the world and reach out to more partners.

Right now, we offer so many programs, combined with study abroad terms, we have internships abroad in many areas, volunteerism plus Arabic classes. My career path has been full of challenges, but I learned so much, when I came back from the US in 2009 as a Fullbright scholar, I had the chance to work with a school that offers programs to foreigners, but I felt that I was like a slave in there despite the experience I learned. Given the fact that I was very quick-witted and someone who was like a jack of all trades inside that place, I told myself why do not I own start up my business, now that I know what it takes. I worked so hard while studying for a Business Administration and teaching English and Arabic and thus I gained so much during this phase.

Yes! I was a FullBright Scholar for 1 year between 2008 and 2009. I studied in SUNY Albany. I felt so lucky to have been given this opportunity to study at one of the most prestigious schools, and learn so much from an educational system that empowers its individuals. I was inspired by how friendly, supporting, helpful and encouraging American people were with students, and thus I am right now trying to impart that to them here on my end.

I think the future is always unknown for any organization, however I can humbly say that MCAS is in a very good position today especially with the turmoil that the MENA region is undergoing-like in Egypt, Syria, Yemen and Tunisia. Morocco remains a politically stable ground allowing for business to grow. The new programs that I am right now offering is learn and volunteer or learn and intern abroad in Morocco. Marrying these elements definitely gives the students a first hand experience of what Morocco is. I personally believe that it is one of the most exciting programs because students feel that they are engaged into the community and are able to challenge the status quo.

This is a hard question to answer, but I think international education will always be a big added value on the future of any individual deciding to embark on an experience abroad, surely students or people who have lived or studied abroad are likely to be get a job over those that have not. I think Morocco is still a new place where there are merely just 30 study abroad programs in all over the kingdom; this means that the market is still open to penetration if I can use a marketing term here.

I think Morocco is still underrated because very few people know about Morocco, although, historically, Morocco was the first country to recognize the US. One of the most overrated study abroad destination is Middle East and not North Africa; but again with the Arab Spring waves still destabilizing the region, Morocco gained so much momentum and thus is becoming increasing known to people as far as the US is concerned; while Europe is another story.