Arabic Language & Culture Courses with MCAS in Morocco

MCAS aka Moroccan Center for Arabic Studies was such an amazing experience and one I'll never ever forget. Everyone was so friendly and helpful and funny first of all and they were able to provide so much in the short two weeks I was there. Ali, the director of MCAS works very hard to make sure everything runs smoothly but is so entertaining and fun and just made the shock of being in such a different place so much more comfortable. I actually lost my luggage for a week and Ali was so helpful, calling the airport everyday, having a driver take me to the airport and go in with me to translate and help, it was great. The program I went through was through my school so most things I did were planned to have an educational background. The most amazing and inspiring part of being in Morocco was going to Orient Occidental Foundation which was possible through MCAS. Orient Occidental is a center for Sub Saharan refugees. The people actually teenagers I met and the stories I heard were unforgettable and they inspired me to want to do more to help both back in the United States and even possibly going back to Morocco. Of course through MCAS you can do way more touristy things like ride camels and see more touristy cities and what not but the social justice is what intrigued me and was my underlying purpose for going (but the food and markets were a plus).
I also took Arabic classes every day 3 hours a day and that too can be adjusted but Siba was an amazing teacher and so patient and funny and it made learning an entirely different language easier.
I have mentioned before, this trip was an incredible experience and I would recommend MCAS to any and everyone. I felt safe, I had a great time, I learned so much about the culture and the city and the people in it and it was just overall fantastic. :)

My experience in Morocco was absolutely amazing. I came as part of a school trip that focuses on social justice issues, and we partnered with MCAS to take Arabic language classes as well as two different non profit organizations; one focused on women's education and the other focused on refugee rights. First off, MCAS was such an amazing organization during our two weeks in Rabat. From the amazing hospitality, to the genuine friendships formed from with the MCAS staff, it was such a blessing to be able to work with such an organization. The Arabic classes were fantastic and allowed us to get a great foundational understanding of the language. Working with the various community partner was extremely impactful, and I thank MCAS for being the bridge that brought us together with the organizations. In addition, when doing workshops with the various populations, the MCAS staff always accompanied us and served as amazing multilingual translators. Our housing accommodation worked out perfectly, and living in the Kasbah in Rabat was beautiful. But ultimately, the kind hearted and dedicated spirit of the MCAS staff is what is going to stick with me the most and is something I value the most. They provided us with a unique culture experience which is something very special. I am so incredibly thankful to have had the opportunity to learn and immerse myself in Moroccan culture and the various social justice issues examined, and I must say MCAS was the most amazing host organization. I hope to return to Morocco soon, and I am very thankful for MCAS providing such a remarkable experience of leaning and serving in Morocco.

Ali and the whole MCAS staff are absolutely amazing!! They went way out of their way to make our trip run smoothly. They have a great sense of humor and I really enjoyed my time with them. The organization has many connections in Rabat and they know the area very well. I never once felt unsafe or that I was not getting enough support MCAS. My trip was filled with educational opportunities, interactions with the community, cultural experiences, personal growth, and great food! Thank you so much for everything MCAS.

This is a truly incredible experience that I would recommend to everyone interested. It was a very inclusive experience with learning Arabic in the morning and volunteering in the afternoon. The placements we had for volunteering mad such an impact in my life and I want to incorporate it in my life. We worked with an organization that help refugees and because of this trip I know that I want to dedicate my life to fighting for refugee rights. I learned so much in two weeks. In a culture that seems so different, I was in awe of how at home I felt. The staff is very welcoming and made us feel like family. They always made sure our group was safe while still allowing us to explore and feel comfortable in our new setting. I wish I could have stayed longer!

At MCAS they truly know how to make everyone feel welcome. After a short two weeks, I felt at home in Morocco. There was never a moment I felt unsafe or uncomfortable. Not only did we get to immerse ourselves in the bright, colorful culture but we also got to spend an amazing amount of time with multiple organizations that have changed my life. We also got to take Arabic classes almost everyday we were there which taught us about the culture and also helped us communicate while we were out exploring. From the translators, teachers, coordinators to everyone else, the entire MCAS community was amazing. I would recommend this organization to anyone looking to experience Morocco in its entirety. It was such a positive environment. Thank you so much for this life-changing opportunity MCAS and facilitating the adventure of a lifetime! Hopefully I will be back to Morocco and MCAS very very soon.

The group that I traveled in was large, and sometimes hard to handle. At MCAS they were so helpful and accommodating I never had to worry about anyone getting left behind or left out. They organized an excellent educational program for us that allowed us to host workshops for Moroccan women and refugees. The only thing we had to worry about was workshop content, which they helped facilitate through translators because most of us could not speak Arabic/French. The translators were so charismatic and willing to participate and have fun with us, they really helped us have a powerful experience.

Before arriving in Morocco I anticipated this program to simply offer arabic courses and interviews with various community members, but I was happily surprised that I received even more out of the program. The arabic classes every morning were extremely helpful and our fantastic teacher, Siba, made the course fun and engaging. Aside from the language immersion, Ali and Jihane were absolutely stellar in their ability to translate all of the visitors we had and their knowledge on multiple subjects. I was most impacted by the interviews MCAS set up for us because I learned peoples' stories on such an intimate level. Again, Ali and Jihane's trilingual ability made the trip so much easier than it would have been if we did not have a translator. I am so grateful for the experience and I hope to come back soon.

This was a trip of a lifetime. Don't get me wrong, I have traveled a lot, but no other trip has given me the opportunity to change my thinking about an entire religion. This trip was focused on service and experiences in Morocco. It had nothing to do with religion, but being around such a beautifully faithful, kind, loving people was a joy. All of the negative influence of the media was quickly washed away. This is what was happening to me in my heart while I was shopping in the market for awesome souvenirs and very fresh food, when I was driving through beautiful countryside or riding a camel in the Sahara, while I was being served my new favorite foods in amazing Riads or Dars, while I was walking through and learning about the ancient madinas, while I was learning how to write my name in Arabic or pronounce words and phrases by a kind and patient (and funny) teacher. The Moroccans are pleased to share what they have. Their culture is old and beautiful. I would highly recommend taking this trip. I, in fact, hope to take it again myself!