"Studying Abroad While Muslim" by Madison Mustafa
As a Muslim student wanting to study abroad, I was instantly drawn to Morocco. However, there seemed to not be a lot of answers to questions about what practicing Muslims should expect from the program. So, consider this your guide to what to expect for studying abroad in Morocco:
Homestay
Host families are the most mysterious unknown of the program before orientation, and a great cause of anxiety for students. Yet, there are ways to ensure that you get a placement you feel comfortable with. Firstly, you should fill out your homestay forms clarifying you are Muslim, along with preferences like privacy to pray, same-sex households, or private bathrooms if same-sex households cannot be provided. Moroccan families come from many different backgrounds, so there is a possibility of living with a single person or families of the same gender. What’s most important to remember is to communicate your needs to the program and your host family.
Prayer
Studying abroad in a Muslim majority country means finding a safe place to pray and grow your connection with Allah. While religion is government run, the mosques are a gorgeous place to join Friday prayers. However, what is especially comforting about this program is one’s access to praying during class. There are students and staff who pray, which is so welcoming coming from a white majority school. The accommodating characteristics of Amideast go beyond any institution I have been to before. During my first week at Amideast, staff members allowed myself and other students to use their own prayer mats to pray in empty rooms before they bought some for the student lounge so that we wouldn’t need to bring our own each day.
Expectations
A concern that may come up for Muslim students which they may be unprepared for is the difference in expectations for them as opposed to classmates. There’s an assumption that you are Moroccan and speak Arabic, which is especially true for hijabis. You are also seen by many locals as a sort of “babysitter” to your white and non Muslim classmates. On tram rides, older Moroccans have often addressed me to tell my friends to be quieter in public. This expectation is unfair, you are just as much a student and a guest who is still learning the culture.
Overall, concerns you have about any upcoming trip to Morocco are best addressed from the start. Be prepared, learn your survival Darija, and try to keep an open mind about your experience. Being Muslim can prepare you for a lot in Morocco, but you should not expect it to make you an expert on the region.
Madison Mustafa is a Psychology, French, and Women’s Studies student at St. Mary’s College of Maryland studying abroad this Spring 2025 on Amideast’s Regional Studies in French program.
