Volunteer Abroad Project Placements in Morocco with MCAS

Couldn't have asked for a better time volunteering in Morocco! With MCAS, our group did amazing work in Morocco and got to learn about Moroccan culture at the same time. Ali and Jihane were very accommodating and made sure that we experienced as much of Rabat as possible. Our time teaching at Abdasalam Saya was incredible and I wish it lasted longer! We made lifelong connections in Rabat and with Ali, Jihane, and our translators at MCAS and I hope I get the chance to go back someday!

I am a 19 year old student at the University of Florida and have never been out of the United States. I was really inspired to go abroad and volunteer and my parents were naturally tentative. Through a mutual friend we found MCAS and I was able to volunteer in an orphanage with disabled children- I've always loved kids and I am pre-med but this was the most hands on and rewarding experience I've ever had. Morocco was a perfect place for me to go because it had the perfect amount of culture shock. My host family spoke English and were so welcoming- I loved them! I arrived very nervous about what the trip would hold and left very in love with Morocco, the children, all of my new friends, and the experience! The program directors helped me with everything from meeting other volunteers to planning trips and always made me feel very comfortable. They had an office close to my work space and I was able to visit often and ask as many questions as I wanted. I would highly recommend going through MCAS and enjoying everything Morocco has to offer.

So this is the second time I've come back to MCAS after being here this time last year. The fact that I have returned to the same place speaks volumes in itself. I previously volunteered in an orphanage but this year have volunteered in a kindergarten and learned Modern Standard Arabic also. The experience was like no other. Living the culture and learning the language has no comparison when doing so in such a setting. My teacher was incredible and very very patient and even within a short three week period, I am able to hold a conversation (albeit broken!) in Arabic. Staying in a riad with the other volunteers is a key part of the experience as you get to live the full Moroccan lifestyle and sample their delicious food. There are many places to visit in addition to Rabat and the staff are extremely helpful in aiding travelling plans as well as everything else. I genuinely have no complaints about MCAS and am already planning my next trip in the autumn! :)

Once again, the experience was fantastic. This year, the youngest participant in the group was 12 years old. He came nervous and a bit shy (he is from California and had never been to Morocco) of course. On our way down to the Sahara, a ten hour drive, he was pretty quiet. As we arrived at our dusty, but very authentic tent/hotel, he was approached by Rachid, a fellow 12 year old and nearby neighbor. Rachid and our 12 year old Oliver rounded up a soccer ball and played a few games of one on one over the next two days. Although words were not exchanged, lessons on cultural understanding Im sure will follow the both of them for the rest of their lives. It was nice to see.

MCAS was definitely an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime (though I wish to go back!) opportunity to not just see a country for it's beauty as a tourist, but to immerse oneself with the culture and people and to do meaningful work in the community. Studying a language has never been less dry and the stakes are raised by putting you in sometimes challenging situations that require real cross-cultural interaction. The feeling of accomplishment that you walk away from MCAS with is something rarely found at the end of vacation. Your time with MCAS will definitely be a break from whatever your current life is, but it will not be a vacation removed from the realities of Morocco. It will be a crash course to modern life in Morocco and you will not only learn some Arabic, but much about Moroccan culture, society, and people, and by doing so a lot about yourself. MCAS staff treat you like family and are the embodiment of hospitality. You will never forget your time in Morocco.

The whole experience made possible by MCAS was wonderful, as it gave me the chance to do some arabic courses and voluntary work whilst really living the Moroccan life. The staff and especially the program director were very helpful all the time and really made me understand what it means to be living in Morocco. I think the whole organisation of the program - from the voluntary work, the arabic courses, and living with a Moroccan family - is a very nice idea and offers the best kind of experience for anyone who is eager to get to know a new culture, a country or a new language. In fact, what I liked most was exactly this - eating with a Moroccan family, living in the medina of Rabat, talking with the host family and not feeling like a complete tourist!

Regarding the Arabic classes, I enjoyed them a lot. Although Arabic is a very difficult language, the teacher was very patient kind and good. I only did one week of one-to-one classes but I would have definitely done more if I could have. The teacher was also very helpful in giving me advice on what I need to do if I really want to learn it, and it was very nice to talk with him daily.

I will always remember this experience as beautiful, helpful, and unique. I would definitely have stayed longer if I could have, but I am glad that I have made the necessary contacts to go back in the future, because I would love to. Morocco is an amazing country but I believe it was MCAS that enabled me to live it in the best way possible.

. Chiara

MCAS provided a truly unforgettable experience. Not only were my wife and I satisfied with the program this past summer, we are returning again next year to contunue our Moroccan Adventure.
While in Rabat, my wife and I were able to live with a very welcoming and warm Moroccan family. They received us with smiles, dinner and a flurry of questions abotu what we wanted to do in Morocco (and tea, always tea). We had a pretty long laundry list of things we HAD to do.
First, my wife had to learn how to cook at least one traditional dish, which the homestay mother was more than excited to teach her. Second, I wanted to buy traditional clothing and shop in the medina. MCAS made this possible by giving us a guided shopping experience and ensuring that we were being treated fairly at every corner.
I would go on, but there were so many things were did in such a short amount of time and I do not want to bore everyone. Of course, all of this was organized by the wonderful staff of MCAS and their dedication to the achieving of our goals.

Special thanks goes to Ali and his wonderful staff who made this journey unforgettable.

I have volunteered for the childcare programme with MCAS, this program has involved working with children with a range of needs in orphanage. In addion to this, I have also worked at a local school which entailed teaching English to children.

I had chosen this programme because it met my needs. Also, the programme provided me with an authentic Moroccan traditional home stay which was fantastic, and allowed me to have that exotic experience that I was looking for. The host family accommodates to your needs, and makes you feel comfortable and a part of their family.

MCAS has gone above their needs to assist me in my goals in volunteering and travelling through out Morocco What is more, the staff has continuously stayed in touch with me and provided support through out my 9 weeks stay.

Furhter more, as a girl I have felt safe and secure all times, and if there was any issues, I was always provided with the means to contact MCAS. I thought it was amazing when MCAS called for gatherings with fellow volunteers, students and interns. This allowed us to make life friendships, and make new contacts and have a supportive travel companions.

I though that Rabat had manythings to offer. such as, the tourist sites, the souq, the medina and much more.

Over all, I feel very grateful for this opportunity and I feel that my goals have been achieved through this programme.