When I arrived at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco on January 14th I had no idea what to expect. I knew most Moroccans spoke French as well as Arabic of course, only later would I find out that their dialect, Darija, is quite different than the Fusha, or Modern Standard Arabic I had been learning. However, what I didn't expect to find was this quaint colonial holdover with hints of Swiss and French influence, and a Moroccan touch. I have not seen another Moroccan town like it!
This is my view from my dorm room window! Très belle! (French is one of
the three national languages in Morocco besides Arabic and Berber.) Fun
fact, a Moroccan princess lives in my building, though I've never met
her.
Another thing I wasn't expecting was the amount of snow I would
soon endure! It snowed sporadically from January until late March, and
not just a little bit! I was warned to walk far from the roofs of
buildings which have a very high pitch, I was told, so that the snow
will slide off. This was great advice! I wouldn't want to be stuck under
that pile of snow!
To escape the cold of Ifrane we traveled just about every weekend, visiting everything from the ancient madina (which means city) in Fes and other imperial cities (below is the ancient medina in Essaouira, where many craftsmen and women display their handiwork!)
to
visiting the infamous (and fabulously fake) Rick's cafe and the 8th
largest mosque in the world and one of the few non-muslims are allowed
to enter in Casablanca
As much as I love traveling, I think my favorite part of my study
abroad experience has been learning in class and by experience how
historically rich and incredibly diverse Morocco is. I would recommend
taking a history course on the area you are studying abroad in as well
as the country's language (It has helped so much knowing French and a
few words of Arabic, though some of my friends have managed with out
much knowledge of the language at all.)
As this semester wraps up, I've been thinking about
all of the things I'll miss about Morocco: The mint tea (sweeter than
southern sweet tea if you can imagine that!), the tagine and couscous,
and not to mention the "grand taxis" which are basically old Mercedes
stuffed with you, five other passengers, your baggage, and the driver
which has been our main transportation in Morocco besides trains.
I think most of all I'll miss my friends, who
are from all over the world, and who have so graciously helped me in
countless ways, especially with my Arabic, which I am finally starting
to master! Alhamdulillah!
All in all, Morocco has been amazing and
overwhelming and beautiful. I hope to be able to come back in the
future. But, I still have two more weeks to explore, and learn, and soak
up as much as possible. So for now, Massalema!
Elise Wilson
Al Akhawayn University
Morocco
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