"Stop and Smell the Roses: Advice for Future Students" by Yasmine Jakmouj
My first piece of advice for any person traveling to Morocco is to get lost. Seriously - it's not as scary as it sounds and you never know who you'll meet or what you'll find because of it. If you're bored one afternoon and feel like there's nothing to do, give this a shot! Maybe you'll find some beautiful street art that you wouldn't have noticed before or maybe you'll discover a new cafe where you meet a bunch of people, but taking the time to just get lost and explore Morocco is probably one of my favorite things to do. Photo credit: Jakmouj, 2019
This is a photo of my Arabic class (which was our favorite class) at the last group dinner in Morocco. This advice came from another student in the program, but it's definitely true: "try to make local friends and force yourself to practice Arabic." Whether you're studying French or Arabic here in Morocco, there are an infinite number of people you will interact with on a daily basis, so speak as much of the language as possible and try not to rely on English. This can be hard, especially if you're feeling a little overwhelmed, but I know that I noticed a difference in my language skills because I only spoke Arabic at home with my host family and whenever I went out with friends. Remember that your time here is finite so take advantage of the opportunity to practice your new language skills and you may be surprised how much you learn! Photo credit: Jakmouj, 2019
The ancient Roman ruins at Volubilis are striking to say the least, but make sure you keep your expectations realistic. You're not going to another world - it's just Morocco. Things might seem different, maybe good maybe bad, but expectation management is super important and it will help you have a better experience. As a woman, the street harassment you'll most likely encounter is frustrating to say the least, but there are so many better things here. I've learned to plug in my headphones and keep looking up, you'll never have to look far to find some time to enjoy! Photo credit: Jakmouj, 2019
"Bring your own toilet paper" may sound like a joke, but trust me, it's not! While this piece of advice may seem a little silly, it definitely has a practical aspect. Especially as a girl, you're going to learn the advantages of always carrying a small pack of tissue paper in case you find yourself in a situation where it's a dire need. I would say most of the places in Rabat, especially Agdal (where AMIDEAST is located) is an exception to this rule, as most of the public places have toilet paper. But it never hurts to be prepared, and you won't have to go without/pay for it if you've got it with you. Photo credit: Jakmouj, 2019
Stop and smell the roses! There is beauty to be found in even in the simplest/mundane things, but if you're not looking then you'll probably miss it. Sometimes it can be easy to go about your day just focusing on the tasks you need to accomplish or thinking about the people you miss from home, but just remember that you're only here for a limited amount of time so you should be as present as possible! Embrace the experience as much as you can and I can assure you that you will find beauty and happiness here in Morocco. Photo credit: Jakmouj, 2019
