“In life you get what you put in. When you make a positive impact in someone else’s life, you also make a positive impact in your own life.” MarcAndAngel

I came to Morocco as an intern to teach the English language. I chose Morocco because it was a Muslim country and I know first hand how knowing a different language is beneficial.
My mother came to the United States of America without knowing English and struggled so much to keep us afloat. I can still recall my elementary days where I would help my mom learn English so we can live better lives. Also, growing up speaking French and Creole has opened so many doors for me. I have many priceless friendships because of the sheer fact I can relate to someone by speaking Creole or French.
Also, as a reverted Muslim these past 3 years have been extremely difficult. On the daily I get mean looks, insults, etc by walking down the street in my hijab. I wanted to go to a country where I wasn’t persecuted based on my religion but instead accepted.
I took my chance and applied to Moroccan Center for Arabic Studies in Rabat, Morocco. I can still remember the anxiety I felt hoping the director accepted my application.
Two weeks later I got a notification that my application was approved and was put into contact with the director. Everything was going well until I thought about finances. I was accepted to be an intern but I needed to fund my trip by myself.
My next mission was to apply for as many scholarships that fund students to intern aboard. I stumbled across a scholarship that does exactly what I was looking for. For months I worked on my essays and had my 2 awesome professors look over my essays and critiquing. After I hit the submit button I felt so secure about my application and prayed I was a recipient.
“We regret to inform you..”. I was on the wait list. My heart shattered because I know what wait list means— a no. I of course notified the director of my financial difficulties and he was completely understanding. I really appreciate his kindness because he saw how much of a drive I had and fight my hardest to make the trip and gave me a chance.
Looking back I am so grateful for the support the director gave me while I was in North America. Every question he answered at his earliest convenience. He went as far as speaking with my mother to assure her I’d be alright and cared for whilst in Morocco.
I was met at the airport by a driver and ushered away to the riad I was to live in. I remember being in awe driving through the streets of Morocco. I made my dream happen. I didn’t give up when challenges arose and my family and friends helped me big time along the way.
I was happy to see a friend from back home who was also interning in Morocco as well but in a different focus area. After a brief rundown of the do’s and don’ts my friend and I walked around so I could begin to become familiar with Rabat.
For the first week in Morocco I felt so liberated and inpendent. Nearly everywhere I looked there was something new and beautiful. The people are so welcoming, even through my broken Arabic they took the time to speak with me.
I’m blessed that I was able to spend Ramadan (holy month in Islam) in Rabat. I felt that I was with the Ummah; all of us fasting for the sake of Allah. I never felt this sensation of truly belonging, it brings me to tears thinking of how vast and beautiful the Ummah is.
My friend and I were then assigned to a host family of 2. The very night we set our luggage down I had a 2 hour conversation with the mother. Even though we both couldn’t understand each other 100% I felt so welcomed by her. It was nice meeting someone that genuinely cared for me.
I will say that Rabat forced me to shed away my privileges that I didn’t even know I had. Things I thought were given I soon realized were a privilege/gift to others. Morocco has truly changed me for the better.
The first week I was starting work I was assigned a class of beautiful little children. Everyday I went in they made me smile; they were so eager to learn! I can still remember singing color songs and listening to fairytales.
After that week I was assigned to a class over children slightly older (8-10). I was truly amazed at how intelligent the children were at their age. They were skilled in Arabic, French, and intermediate English. Not only was I their teacher but they taught me a few things to polish up my Arabic.
Once Ramadan was over I was assigned a class of preteens (11-16). I love teaching them because from time to time we will have really deep conversations that really impacts my way of thinking. For example, I recall having a discussion about their thoughts on the music festival held in Morocco and its impact on the community. They are so socially aware it truly makes me smile.
I also noticed how seriously the English program is taken by not only the students but the parents and the director of the school. It’s a rare occasion if my students miss class. They’re always asking a million questions per second about rules in the language and the culture of United States! It makes going into work 100 times better because I know they’re taking it seriously. There’s kids that have been in the English program since they were young that are nearly fluent! This program is beneficial to both intern and student.
The director is very compassionate when it comes to missing days as well. There were times where I fell ill or had an injury and I was taken care of by my host family and the director. The support I received was out of this world.
My work hours were also very flexible, my day was over at 1pm. I had practically the whole day to explore Rabat and even Morocco if I wanted.
Last but not least reading these two negative reviews have left me is disbelief. To see someone that has come to volunteer/ offer their time to the community and lost the point of what they were doing was very disheartening. The employees/director of MCAS have been nothing but generally helpful supportive from day one. The teaching project has been such an impactful experience for both the children and I. I will leave with memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I have been touched for the rest of my life.