"How to Fit Everything on the Train and 20 Other Words of Advice for Future AUI'ers" by Naomi Curtis
I started off going to Al Akhawayn University with no clue what to expect about anything. I am catering this advice for students in the AMIDEAST direct enrollment program with Al Akhawayn University, but I hope it can benefit others as well. Everyone’s study abroad experience is unique to them and their perspective. It is important to be aware of your identity in a new socioeconomic and cultural environment. Feelings of dissociation or displacement can vary depending on how your identity is perceived by your peers. I also asked the other students in the same program as me for advice from their experience abroad in Morocco; their advice is at the end.
Bring one checked bag. The first few weeks you will be moving around a lot and primarily taking public transit like trains. If you only have one bag it is easier to carry up/down stairs, onto train platforms, and moving into your dorm on campus. I traveled from my host family in Rabat on a train to AUI with 2 other girls. We managed to fit our belongings all together by stacking our suitcases on top of each other and resting one on the table between us.
If someone offers to help you move your bag up or downstairs be prepared to tip around 10 Dh.
The students at AUI are very fashionable. Pack what makes you feel comfortable, but also keep in mind social norms in any of the areas you are traveling too. Small Moroccan towns tend to be very conservative. It’s also cold and snowy if you happen to be there in the winter, but the rest of Morocco is mild.
Don’t forget your police record! AUI needs it to complete your residency application. If your city can translate to French, do that. If not you will have to go to Fez to an official translator to get it translated.
Once in Morocco, exchange your currency and ask for coins. Coins are your friend. They are what you’ll use for petite taxis, most restaurants, and other day to day purchases. The next bill you want is 20 Dh, this would be for more expensive purchases/meals.
Be as flexible as possible during your study abroad experience. Things don’t always go according to plan. While traveling, keep the AMIDEAST contact information with you at all times and tell them where you are going. The same with contacts for AUI. AMIDEAST provides you with a Moroccan SIM, and student ambassadors will take you to the marche to buy a SIM if you don't have one.
Value every minute you have with your host family. It was one of my favorite parts of Morocco. I still keep in touch with my host sister.
WiFi is very spotty on campus. I don’t really have any advice for this one, just be flexible and prepared.
ALWAYS go to class - unless you physically can’t. Attendance is part of your grade. For classes that meet 2 times a week you have a max of 5 absences before you automatically fail. For classes that meet 3 times a week, you can miss 7. I would suggest storing up your absences so you can travel longer for spring break or to have intentional longer weekends to see more of Morocco.
Travel a lot! Don’t let any weekend, AUI planned trip, or invite go to waste. Join clubs that plan outings. There are several clubs that do, like Extreme Sports Association and Interfaith Alliance. You pay for the trip from your student account. The school itself also plans trips. All of these have a limited number of spots that go fast, so be prepared to be either first in line for the sign up sheet or be the first to respond to an email.
If you are from somewhere that doesn’t have a taxi system, Morocco’s might be intimidating. It’s very simple and efficient once you get used to it. The petite taxis are the taxis you take around a city, like Rabat. They’re affordable - I typically spent between 10-15 Dhs per trip and even less if I split with friends. Make sure the taxi driver remembers to turn the meter on before they start driving. The grand taxi system is what you take between cities, like Ifrane to Fez. The easiest way to use the grand taxi system is if you are in a group of 6 people, that is the number the grand taxi needs to leave. If you are in a smaller group, you will have to wait until the grand taxi gets 6 people before you leave or you have to pay more. For example, I traveled with a group of 4 girls to Fez. A trip from Ifrane to Fez is 30 Dhs per person. We could either pay 60 Dhs more to cover the 2 person difference or we could wait for 2 more people traveling to Fez. We waited and paid 30 Dhs.
If you don’t know a lot about Islam like I did, read up on it. Also, if you grew up in a religious household read up on that as well. I was asked a lot of questions about the religion I grew up in. Just have basics and an understanding of the two.
Also read up about Morocco’s political system!
AUI has so many clubs. Join some! Go to the club fair and join the ones that interest you. I joined Extreme Sports Association and Astronomy Club.
Be as social as you can be. Do what is best for you, but also don’t be scared to push yourself out of your comfort zone a little. If you are introverted, make sure to have time to rest after being social to prevent burn out.
Prioritize your physical and emotional well-being. If you need help, ask. The counseling services at AUI are an amazing resource.
If you do have any prescription medications, make sure to start the process of getting enough for your stay well in advance. Getting the prescriptions filled for the full stay can be a long process.
Not all professors have clear deadlines in their syllabus. Pay attention in class and take note of deadlines. Start the process at least 4 months in advance.
If you want to learn Arabic or Darija, you have to work at it and have good self motivation. Study on your own and/or speak to your roommate in Darija. The first week of the program spent in Rabat will give you the basics to get around speaking Darija.
Take classes you wouldn’t normally take at home. Also fill out the course request sheet right away and send it back so you can get the classes you want. Don’t let emails just sit in your mailbox.
Karina
There are several different areas on campus to get food. There is the cafe, the restaurant, and the campus store. The cafe has snacks and desserts, while the restaurant has multiple dining options ranging from burgers to couscous on Fridays. The food can get bland, so we recommend going to the marche once and awhile.
The marche is like an open market that has restaurants and stores. It is about a 30 minute walk from campus. It can be a little disorienting if you have never been to something like it before, so go with a group.
You have to try msemen from the msemen lady! Get tea with msemen, cheese, and honey. It is amazing.
Laundry can be confusing on campus. You need to get at least two laundry tokens (this is one load of laundry) from the campus store. It does cost a couple Dhs. You then take your laundry to one of the two laundry places on campus: one is in building 39 and the other is in building 36. They are in the back of the dorm, so don’t enter through the front. Building 36 is full service laundry, so you give the person working your tokens, fill out a form, and then pick up your laundry when it is done. Building 39, you give the person working your tokens, load your laundry, fill out a form on a computer, and then pick it up when it is done. They will move it to the dryer.
Don’t be afraid to go to office hours, the professors are extremely welcoming and invested in your personal growth, even if you are only there for a semester/year.
AUI is much more liberal than the rest of Morocco in terms of what is “socially acceptable”.
AUI International Student Orientation can be misleading and give a false perception of Morocco.
My friend and I got private taxis to Fez airport for 350 Dh. Grand and petit taxi drivers have numbers and you can call them directly to request them to pick you up, although it's a little more expensive. Drivers don't speak English, so it's best if you can get a Moroccan friend to help you arrange this.
