Location
  • Morocco
    • Rabat
Language
Arabic
Feb 03, 2017
Sep 22, 2019
13 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

The Moroccan Center for Arabic Studies engages in education year-round. With four terms relative to the Seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter, each can last up to three months and curriculum includes Modern Standard Arabic, Colloquial Moroccan Arabic as well as calligraphy. There are various classes available based on the student’s experience with the language, from entry level, to beginner, intermediate and advanced. Students also have the possibility of enrolling for academic courses that are taught by faculty members such as Gender Studies, Arab Spring, Migration and more while getting credits at the same time.

Program Reviews

4.92 Rating
based on 78 reviews
  • 5 rating 96.15%
  • 4 rating 1.28%
  • 3 rating 1.28%
  • 2 rating 1.28%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Instruction 4.9
  • Support 4.9
  • Fun 4.85
  • Housing 4.85
  • Value 4.9
Showing 1 - 8 of 78 reviews
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Elisa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great experience

Truly great experience in Rabat. A beautiful city to learn Arabic. I had a very warm welcome by Ali and Leyla at the Rabat train station. My lessons in Arabic couldn't be better. The teacher is very professional and patient...our lessons focused on all 4 disciplines and different topics from culture, traditions, food, politics and history. Every week we had a test on the new vocabulary learnt. The Accommodation and food with the local family was a truly immersion into the culture. They became my family and I was so sad to leave. The location was very centric, bang on the centre of the Souq. Very lively atmosphere! I went to a hamam, hairdressers, weekends away and I got exposed to Arabic.
I will be back at MCAS Rabat. I found the school very professional and organised, ready to assist on any matter.

157 people found this review helpful.
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Sarah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Overall Excellent!

An overall outstanding experience. Great quality (and patience!) of Arabic language instruction for a first time learner and a well run organization.
Plan to create time for homework and review outside of class everyday- and cultivate patience and an open minded approach to the amazing city of Rabat.
And a note on the ‘social’ experience; as a solo traveler taking private 1 on 1 instruction- the only structured ‘social’ experience I had within the program was through my host family- and yours might depend greatly on your travel style. My structured social experience was in the form of suggested site visits in Rabat upon my arrival- and one amazing immersive walk through the old Medina with the Director at the end of my time in the city. It wasn’t a focus built into the programming; it unfolded in an unstructured way over time and within the dynamic of my host family.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My homestay was a significant aspect of the wonderful time I had overall. I felt welcomed and the amazing host family I stayed with opened up my exposure to Rabat and Moroccan hospitality in ways I’m not confident I would have been able to experience otherwise as a solo female traveler. If possible, try to stay with a host family for at least a portion of your time!

And a note on the ‘social’ experience; as a solo traveler taking private 1 on 1 instruction- the only structured ‘social’ experience I had within the program was through my host family- and yours might depend greatly on your travel style. My structured social experience was in the form of suggested site visits in Rabat upon my arrival- and one amazing immersive walk through the old Medina with the Director at the end of my time in the city. It wasn’t a focus built into the programming; it unfolded in an unstructured way over time and with the dynamic of my host family.
152 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Patrick
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Volunteer program/Arabic language courses

Great opportunity where I got to teach English at a local school in Rabat, take Arabic language courses, and stay with a host family in the old town Medina. The school staff was friendly, helpful, and flexible on which age group you teach, hours you teach, and lesson plans. It def helps to know French or Arabic but not necessary. The kids were super excited to meet me and are eager to learn English. My Arabic instructor 'Abdesalam' was one of the best I've had - experienced, efficient, and well worth it. I'm really glad I came and the coordinator Ali really cares and made sure I had the best use of my time.

148 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Madison
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Recent trip to Morocco

I recently completed a two month trip to Rabat with MCAS, staying in a riad with a few other students and volunteers, and I loved it! I took Arabic Fusha classes from 9-5 Monday - Thursday and my amazing teacher Abdessalam Nousiel was really patient and helped me to progress so much! Everyone at MCAS is lovely and always helped with any queries I had; Ali is a fantastic program director and helped me to make the most of my time there. I’ll be returning in June for two weeks to refresh my Arabic skills, and I can’t wait! Thank you to Ali and MCAS for a memorable trip.

168 people found this review helpful.
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Mohammad
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Excellent customized Arabic courses

I took Arabic courses through one on one instruction at MCAS and I enjoyed it. The teaching was very professional and the management was flexible with my academic needs. The center is located in a central area of Rabat and offers plenty of opportunities for exploring the old city and the surrounding area. The staff is friendly and engaging as well. I would suggest MCAS for similar students who are looking for tailored one on one instruction.

161 people found this review helpful.
Olivia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

MCAS rocks!

I recently just completed a trip to Rabat, Morocco at the end of December where we all worked closely to MCAS everdays. The language insturction was clear and concise and the history class was so insightful and amazing. We had wonderful people working with us to make sure we had a place to stay, food for every meal and made sure we were safe in our environment. These people from MCAS were with us everyday and quickly went from instructors to dear friends. I look forward to keeping in contact with these people and taking all that I have learned back to the states.

156 people found this review helpful.
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Facundo
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

MCAS

I went to Rabat, Morocco with a group from Loyola Marymount University during our winter break trip from Dec. 27-Jan. 6. I had a wonderful time in Morocco thanks to the incredible support of the MCAS staff! Great language instruction as well as incredible meeting opportunities. 10/10 would recommend! Ikbal and Jihane were amazing and Ali worked behind the scenes all day to make sure that our stay in Rabat was as amazing as possible. Thank you so much MCAS staff for hosting us for this trip.

156 people found this review helpful.
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Natasha
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience with MCAS

My time in Morocco was truly unforgettable, and that is greatly due to the incredible people and programs of MCAS. Ali, Jihan, and Ikbal were the best hosts I could have asked for, they took care of everything at the house for us and provided us with such in depth education of the culture and languages of Morocco. I would absolutely recommend anyone looking to go abroad to study at MCAS! I will definitely be going back.

165 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers

That’s really helpful. Thank you, Julia! She has booked a two week stay and will be doing 8 hours of Arabic per day, and then some volunteering. She’s a bit apprehensive, but is looking forward to it. I really appreciate your input. Fay