Dec 4

Dec 4 "Finding My Place in Morocco" by Yasmine Jakmouj

After an insane fall break trip traveling to England and Scotland, I was overcome with a sense of relief when my plane finally landed in Casablanca. It wasn’t until I left the country for the first time since arriving that I realized it had truly become my home. The people, food, and places in Morocco have become familiar and I have found my place here: it’s in cafes like Blue Spoon in Agdal where all the waiters know my name; it’s in the “sabah al-khayr” I say to the security guards outside AMIDEAST every morning; it’s in the “salam, la-bas, kool-shi mzyn?” my host mom always greets me with; and it’s in the happiness I see in my family every time I go to Kenitra to visit them. This experience has been both challenging and rewarding in ways I never expected.

Almost everyone from home has asked me some form of the question “what’s it been like in Morocco?” and to be completely honest, I never really know how to answer them. Perhaps it would be best to start off by saying it’s a place like any other: people study, work, live, and experience all human things like in any other place. Yes, it is a “developing country” and yes, I have been pushed outside my comfort zone many times, but I’ve also laughed and experienced true happiness here like I would in any other place. Through my classes here I’ve learned a lot about conceptions of the world and how important it is to acknowledge problems that exist within conversations about other countries, especially those in the “Arab world.” I’m not studying in an alien universe – I’m studying in a country in northern Africa and learning more about the world and myself as I do it.

Some of the things I’ve grown to love the most about being here (besides the people) is everyday life. I feel like I’m more relaxed and because of it, happier in general – instead of constantly feeling pressured to study, work, and be as successful as I can always I feel more at peace here. It’s hard to put into words this feeling, but it is something that I know I will miss once I return home and to my university. Sure, there are some bad things too, but in all honesty, I only acknowledge the bad when I’m also reflecting on the bad things back home. No place is perfect, but I’ve still fallen in love with all of Morocco’s imperfections and I can say with certainty that I will be back in the future.

My time here in Morocco is now officially halfway over, and I know that the remaining time is going to go by so much faster, so I’m going to do my best to be present and experience every moment as fully as I can. Every walk to school, tagine for dinner, and funny language screw-up will be fully enjoyed and when it’s time for me to go back home, I hope that I’ll be able to tell you I spent my time as best as I could.