For a very long time, I had been searching for the right work abroad experience and finally came across this program. Intern HQ Abroad fulfilled all of my expectations during my ten week long Human Rights & NGO Support internship in Rabat, Morocco. From the very beginning, everything was spectacular. The airport pickup was smooth, the daily breakfasts and dinners were delicious (and very traditional), and Dallas was extremely attentive to all of the intern's requests. Food is cheap and accessible inside and outside the Medina. I felt completely safe, supported, and comfortable in the riad. There were local program supervisors/assistants frequently in communication with the interns and physically present at the riad to impart important information to us regarding work placements, our whereabouts, etc. The quality of the internship work was good; we were placed with an excellent national organization and given enough time to deliver projects. The NGO team was kind and actively collaborated with us. The general profile of interns participating in the program is early-twenties youth coming from various international backgrounds, like the UK, the Americas, and China. Commuting in Rabat was easier than I expected: the bus fare is only 5 Dirhams, the Tram is 6 dirhams, public transit is equipped with air conditioning and free Wifi, there's a bullet train from Casablanca to Tangier, there are taxis everywhere, and local drivers are accessible. Pedestrians navigate the busy streets with caution and confidence. Aside from the capital (which, by the way, is the most relaxed city in Morocco) there are multiple destinations that can be easily accessed within Morocco via train - interns have the chance to plan little weekend trips. We were able to visit the beautiful cities of Fez, Essaouira, Marrakech, Tangier, and Casablanca. The weather in Morocco during the summer is hot and sunny. Cities closer to the coast offer a more pleasant/balanced climate. The ocean view is gorgeous. Overall the experience was fantastic, it was an opportunity to meet interesting people, make local connections, immerse ourselves in the beauty of Moroccan culture and become familiar with the dynamics of an NGO in the humanitarian sector. This internship felt like a dream.
Response from Intern Abroad HQ
Dear Ashley,
Thank you for taking the time to share feedback. We are sorry to hear that you do not recommend this program. We always encourage participants to please contact us at any time throughout their experience if dissatisfaction is being experienced. Likewise, the onsite staff members and supervisors greatly appreciate feedback in real-time, as they're in a position to provide immediate support and guidance.
The scuba diving internship program is designed to be entry-level, tailored towards providing young people with PADI dive tuition and an introduction to Indian Ocean marine ecology (via online training presentations). Diving activities throughout the year are always subject to weather and seasonal conditions. Outside of this Monday-Friday schedule, interns have free time (including free time on weekends) and are free to independently plan their own leisure and tourism activities.
For this program, a cook prepares dinners at the camp, Monday through Friday. Participants are free to prepare their own meals outside of this service, utilizing food which is provided for this purpose (particular dietary requirements must be communicated in advance). Sodwana Bay is a small coastal town and there is access to restaurants, cafes, and other facilities which people are free to access at their leisure.
I understand that during your stay, there were some group activities arranged, such as the Kosi Bay Day Trip and various art/craft sessions. Participation is always optional and our Program Guide, which interns receive in advance, provides guidance concerning free time, meals, and personal spending budgets.
I remain available to discuss your experience directly and address any outstanding questions which may have arisen, so you are welcome to contact me.
Kind regards,
Karen - South Africa Program Manager
karen@internhq.com