Merhaba!
Welcome! Our site features the work of our blog abroad correspondents and has everything you need to know about our study abroad programs!
Welcome! Our site features the work of our blog abroad correspondents and has everything you need to know about our study abroad programs!
When I told my roommate that I was going to Fez Medina over the weekend she instantly told me, “You’ll get lost.” She was right. A couple friends and I went on the big 1 hour journey to Fez from the mountainous Ifrane by grand taxi. Once we got to the Fez Medina (where our Airbnb was), we instantly saw the lively history around every corner. The Fez Medina was built in the 9th century and is one of the largest Islamic metropolises, representing the cultural and spiritual center of Morocco. It also has the oldest university in the world. Around every historical monument was so much energy and life. It was kind of overwhelming to me as there was so much going on at all times within the small streets. Instead of cars there were donkeys and street names were barely present. My roommate was 100% correct - my friends and I ended up lost. There were many people that offered us tips about where to go and we ended up at the Chouara Tannery (the largest tannery in Fez). We knew we were heading the right way by the smell. I bought a blue leather bag and the salesman gave us directions. It was an unforgettable, whirlwind of an experience and one that I highly recommend to everyone. Photo credit: Curtis, 2020
At the edge of the medina is the Jardin Jnan Sbil. Sultan Moulay Abdellah commissioned this beautiful garden in the 18th century. It is absolutely stunning and a beautiful break from the urbanity of Fez. My friends and I meandered through the garden taking in the fresh greenery and the calming water sounds. Photo credit: Curtis, 2020
My friend found an Airbnb Experience for making Moroccan cheese and harcha in Fez. We all love cheese and I love harcha - we were sold. After the liveliness of the medina, being in a more quiet part of Fez seemed like another world. The open streets and cars really stood out to me. Photo credit: Curtis, 2020
This is the end result of the Airbnb Experience! We helped an older woman make the harcha and cheese. It was absolutely delicious and one of my favorite meals in Morocco. Photo credit: Curtis, 2020
Fez has been one of my favorite cities in Morocco so far. There is so much to discover in the medina and outside of its walls. One of my classes talks a lot about the city of Fez and all the complexities of its history, urban planning, and architecture. It was amazing to see everything that I learned about in class in person and to have a little bit of a background in the complexities of the historic city. Photo credit: Curtis, 2020
