Today I got my first real legit email about Morocco. And one of the first things mentioned is that our departure dates have changed! No longer are they September 14th in DC and September 16th in Morocco, but they now are September 11th in DC, and September 15th in Morocco. But it was stated very clearly that these days are not set in stone..so I guess I won't know when I leave until I leave! Exciting :D
This wonderful Pre Departure handbook also outlined a general itinerary of what we will be doing. NSLIY sends students abroad to not only learn the language, but also to volunteer. So we will be volunteering by helping out NGOs, orphanages, foundations for the blind or specific community projects around Marrakesh. Last summer while I was in Oman, we volunteered at an English Language camp, so I think it's safe to assume that we will be doing the same in Morocco.
Also, since we are staying in Morocco for 9 months, we will be travelling with the program quite a bit. In the handbook it says we will be travelling on 'extended trips" about once a month for three or four days each to different places. Some examples are The Sahara Desert, Rabat-Sale-Casablanca, Tangier-Tetuan, Agadir-Taraoudant-Wad mass, Fes-Meknes-Ifrane, The Atlas Mountains and Essaouira. This looks like quite a bit to be travelling, but I am not complaining. I am very ready to explore Morocco and what it has to offer. The thing that intrigues me about Morocco is its vast and interesting history. It has been colonized by many so it has many influences, including French, Spanish and Portuguese. Because of these colonizations, Morocco also has a very interesting language makeup. Obviously Arabic is spoken, but another very widely spoken language in Morocco is Darija. Apparently Darija in Morocco is laced (lack of good word to use here) with French and Spanish words to substitute Arabic words. From what I've heard, it is near impossible to understand Darija if you only speak Arabic. This brings me to another very central aspect of the program, language classes, the sole reason I applied to NSLIY...ok not really, but a very large part of my decision was based upon this. We will probably have class from 9 until 12.50 (this is only Arabic class) on Mondays through Thursdays, and on fridays we end at 11.15 so we can get back to eat lunch with our host families. Morocco is also interesting because they-unlike other Middle Eastern/North African countries-have the weekend on Saturday and Sunday.
I think thats all I know for now, the other information isn't that interesting, and is mostly about culture shock and what not. I am excited to finally know more about my program, it just makes it all the more real.
Until next time!
This wonderful Pre Departure handbook also outlined a general itinerary of what we will be doing. NSLIY sends students abroad to not only learn the language, but also to volunteer. So we will be volunteering by helping out NGOs, orphanages, foundations for the blind or specific community projects around Marrakesh. Last summer while I was in Oman, we volunteered at an English Language camp, so I think it's safe to assume that we will be doing the same in Morocco.
Also, since we are staying in Morocco for 9 months, we will be travelling with the program quite a bit. In the handbook it says we will be travelling on 'extended trips" about once a month for three or four days each to different places. Some examples are The Sahara Desert, Rabat-Sale-Casablanca, Tangier-Tetuan, Agadir-Taraoudant-Wad mass, Fes-Meknes-Ifrane, The Atlas Mountains and Essaouira. This looks like quite a bit to be travelling, but I am not complaining. I am very ready to explore Morocco and what it has to offer. The thing that intrigues me about Morocco is its vast and interesting history. It has been colonized by many so it has many influences, including French, Spanish and Portuguese. Because of these colonizations, Morocco also has a very interesting language makeup. Obviously Arabic is spoken, but another very widely spoken language in Morocco is Darija. Apparently Darija in Morocco is laced (lack of good word to use here) with French and Spanish words to substitute Arabic words. From what I've heard, it is near impossible to understand Darija if you only speak Arabic. This brings me to another very central aspect of the program, language classes, the sole reason I applied to NSLIY...ok not really, but a very large part of my decision was based upon this. We will probably have class from 9 until 12.50 (this is only Arabic class) on Mondays through Thursdays, and on fridays we end at 11.15 so we can get back to eat lunch with our host families. Morocco is also interesting because they-unlike other Middle Eastern/North African countries-have the weekend on Saturday and Sunday.
I think thats all I know for now, the other information isn't that interesting, and is mostly about culture shock and what not. I am excited to finally know more about my program, it just makes it all the more real.
Until next time!
YAY! real(ish) information xD
ReplyDeletecongratulations :D
IM SO HAPPY YOU HAVE NO IDEA
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