Projects Abroad Volunteer Programs in Morocco

A few years ago, I did some volunteer work over the course of three weeks in Rabat, Morocco. Having only been there on holiday, I was a little nervous as to what to expect. After attending a volunteer fair in Toronto, I decided to register with Projects Abroad. I have to say, their communication and organization put me at ease immediately. All my questions and concerns were addressed in full detail and I knew exactly what to expect when I arrived.

They placed me with another girl volunteering with the program. We lived with a Moroccan family in the old medina in Rabat. We ate and chatted with the host family every evening. It was also Ramadan so it was interesting to see what traditions the family celebrates during this time. Talk about getting immersed in the culture!

I volunteered at a day care centre just outside the medina with the loveliest women. We would care for children under the age of five. There were different activity centres we had for them, reading of the Quran, snack time and nap time. I work with children for a living so it was a wonderful experience being able to care for children and learn more about the day to day life in Morocco.

Representatives from Projects Abroad were always available for us. They were so helpful when it came to the smallest things (i.e. buying the right kind of "savon noir") to checking in on us when we were ill (and I got REALLY sick!). They also organized get togethers for volunteers in the city so that we were able to share our experiences with other foreigners there as well.

After studying Arabic and human rights in college, I wanted to take an international trip to really immerse myself in a different culture. I had spent the previous summer in Egypt and was looking to head back to north Africa and had heard many wonderful things about Morocco. And they all lived up to my expectations.

My time at a Human Rights NGO was incredibly enlightening: I was able to look at human rights from such a different perspective, both culturally and religiously. I did some really informative (and interesting) research on the death penalty, a topic that is both quite controversial, and quite important on an international scale. I had incredible co-workers who were both warm and welcoming. My only advice here would be to go during the year if possible - I worked during the summer, which was a slower time at my office, and you would gain a lot more from working during the year, when there's more going on.

I chose Projects Abroad because I knew roughly what I wanted to do (stay with a host family and work in human rights), but had no idea how to begin to find the right contacts. A friend had traveled with Projects Abroad in Nepal and had a wonderful experience, so I contacted them about their Morocco program, and had nothing but support and encouragement from day 1. They coordinated everything, from a great home-stay family, to an NGO that fitted my individual needs. Staff picked me up from the airport, showed me around town, made sure I was settled, and continued to support me throughout my journey. As an added bonus, they were incredibly fun and friendly, and our whole group loved getting to know them. I really couldn't have had a better experience with Projects Abroad and hope others will take the leap of a great adventure overseas.

So I did a crazy thing and decided to leave home to study Arabic in Morocco, a country I knew nothing about, for two whole months. I have absolutely no regrets. Hands down it was one of the best decisions that I have ever made in my life. I had a wonderful time. The Projects Abroad staff members set me up with an amazing host family. Not only did they provide for my basic needs like food and shelter but they also taught me how to cook (Only slightly. I maybe a lost cause), helped me with my homework and treated me with nothing but kindness. Once during a holiday known as Ashura, the entire extended family came together to play drums, sing, dance, and eat. After a few hours the night ended with all of the children lighting fireworks and me feeling honored to have been apart of the experience. My host family made it so that I was completely immersed into the culturally Moroccan experience.
Another positive aspect of the program was my Arabic teacher. From the beginning I asked her to push me and that she did. She would have days when I would only be allowed to speak Arabic with her while doing every day things such as cooking or going to a cafe. At times this was definitely challenging but I learned so much because of her. These intensive Arabic classes gave me the courage to talk to people on the streets. Now I know that Arabic is not impossible to learn.
I am very grateful to the staff members of Projects Abroad for arranging a wonderful trip.

Morocco holds such a special place in my heart. I had such an incredible time in Morocco - an experience that definitely would not have been made possible without Projects Abroad. Although I could have traveled to Morocco by myself, there are so many dimensions of my experience that would have been lost. Through this fantastic organization, my experience felt very authentic, rather than “any other tourist trip.” With Projects Abroad, I had the opportunity to live with a wonderful Moroccan family for three months, work with dozens of Moroccan children, and meet passionate and enthusiastic volunteers.

It was my first time traveling alone, which was slightly daunting. However, I was also very confident when I left for my adventure! I had been communicating with the Projects Abroad team for months. Their thorough and caring responses ensured me that I was in good hands - and I was. Upon arriving at the airport, I was greeted warmly by Adil - a Projects Abroad Morocco Coordinator - who enthusiastically told me about my placement (even though he’d been up since 4am to pick me up!). The Projects Abroad staff all proved to be extremely passionate and caring individuals with a genuine love and enthusiasm for their job. I always felt very safe and I knew I was in good hands; the staff stressed that they were only a phone call away, no matter the time or the concern! Additionally, the structure of the program is very intelligent, allowing a good balance of volunteering and traveling; meeting travelers and locals. At the end of my experience, I felt very fulfilled; I had seen and experienced way more than I could have even anticipated! I would do everything again. I really would.

My sister is currently planning a trip with Projects Abroad Mongolia. Needless to say, I’m incredibly envious!

In November 2009, I arrived in Rabat. I was a little loopy from lack of sleep, but thankful to breathe the balmy and breezy air and anxious to greet my new home. That first day I met the staff and tasted my first authentic Moroccan meal. (Ever since, I have to keep reminding myself that this DELICIOUS cuisine will be standard for two months. No need to continually stuff my face...). The staff spent come time orienting me--lectures on cultural norms, a trip to my volunteer placement, petite and grand taxis.

Everywhere I went, my head is filled with a new sight or sound, smell and sentiment. And sleeping at night was my only chance to decompress from a full day of sensory overload. It seems like every other person spoke a different language--Arabic, Darija (Moroccan Arabic), French, even some English, and I couldn't process fast enough the appropriate response. "Yes, je voudrais un café noir. Shukran." Yikes!! The call to prayer woke me up each morning with the rising sun, and echoed throughout the medina four more times each day. I passed a handful of beggars on my short walk to the taxi stand and the unwanted cat calls from Moroccan men taught me to tune my ears accordingly. The food was heavenly--rice and cooked vegetables, fresh orange juice, couscous every friday afternoon, and sweet sweet mint tea. Though eating with my hands and using bread as a utensil is I needed to adjust to.

At the end of mt first few weeks, I'm was somewhere between worlds and cultures--struggling with language barriers, learning new routes and routines, being comfortable with being uncomfortable. And I couldn't wait for more.

By far, the highlight of my time in Morocco was the trip to the Sahara.

Have you ever been in awe of the world, overwhelmed by the immensity of it? Or felt humbled by its beauty and sense of peace? Perhaps that sounds a bit trite, but that is how I felt during our visit to the Sahara.

A group of us set off on a Thursday afternoon, I could have done without the long and uncomfortable bus ride, but not everything can be easy. We pulled into Er Rachidia as darkness approached. We split up into two groups and rode in 4x4s across increasingly sparser landscape. After arrving at a hotel we grabbed our bags and got ready for a camel ride to our camp ground for the night. It felt as if we were spies feeling under the cover of darkness. The hotel eventually disappeared behind us and more sand stretched out before us. We rounded one bend after another, moving through the waves of sand

After an hour of bumping along on our camels, we reached our campsite. A collection of tents were scattered in the valley, all low to the ground and constructed of nothing by wooden posts and blankets. We trooped past a few and smiled at the other tourists who also got sucked into this novelty experience. Then, one by one, we dismounted from our camels and waddled off with our backpacks. Oh, would we be sore in the morning. Our hosts, came in to greet us and share mint tea. The rest of the evening passed slowly.

The next morning started bright and early with a hike up to dunes to see a beautiful sunrise. The light came first and then the sun, right up from Algeria and spilled shadows across the desert. Not long after, the rest of the group was awake and we packed up camp to head back to the hotel for breakfast. Even at 5:30 our stomachs were rumbling.

Again, we hopped on our camels and went through the old routine. To live out such a talked-about and fantasized event was a little more than my mind could handle, but it was truly an incredible experience. I recommend that everyone get to the Sahara one day!

Finally, as my time had come to say farewell--to Morocco and my wonderful time here, there was no easy way to do it. After two months of living in a new country you build a bond with the culture, the people, and the new lifestyle. I did all I could to soak up the last few hours mostly in the form of buying up Morocco by the handful. But suffice it to say that this was a memorable experience and one that I will have fond memories of. The ridiculous and fantastic adventures have come to a close (at least for the time being), but--in'shallah--more are down the road!!