Feeling at Home #HogsAbroad in Morocco

Hi! My name is Avery Phillips, and I am a Fulbright Honors student, majoring in International Studies with a concentration on Middle Eastern Relations and Arabic. For the academic year 2018-19, I am studying abroad in Meknes, Morocco.

Since arriving, I have felt at home with the other students and a host family that has welcomed me with open arms. The first week upon arriving, we traveled across Morocco, which was both riveting and exhausting. Then we jumped into classes - the classes here are in a much more condensed format than those in the States, so the work load for courses is typically heavier. The classes are an average of 10 students, and the professors prefer an interactive classroom dynamic.

Travelling around Morocco is incredibly cheap!! Coffee starts at $1 and trains run for $2-3. Exploring different foods and cities within Morocco has been a delight. (Flights to Europe are really cheap also!!) The food in Morocco is heavily meat oriented, but being a vegetarian has been feasible. There is a lot of really delicious couscous, which is usually a celebratory meal every Friday, the holy day for Muslims.

If you’re considering traveling to Morocco, keep in mind that it is a patriarchal monarchy. The social dynamic is much different than in the States. Men dominate most social places and street harassment is common. That being said, I have yet to feel unsafe, rather just a frustration with the different dynamic.

Morocco is a beautifully diverse country with anything from beaches to mountains offered to visitors. The hospitable, welcoming nature of the culture is truly one to indulge in, and I have personally felt so much joy experiencing it!

--
Sophomore International Studies major Avery Phillips is spending the 2018-19 academic year in Morocco with International Studies Abroad (ISA). Learn more about Avery's ISA program in Meknes, Morocco.

Don't miss your opportunity to study or intern abroad! Start your search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/