Spring 2017 Open ( 2 Weeks, March 19- April 1) 
Morocco Abroad Programs Flyer
Summer 2017 Open ( 3 Weeks, June 18- July 9)
Cultural Immersion and Community Service Program
15 Participants
Deadline for application
Spring program: January 20th, 2017
Summer program: April 21st, 2017
Land cost per person
Spring program (2 Weeks): USD $2,859
Summer program (3 Weeks): USD $4,299
Begins in : Casablanca
Program Leaders: TBD
Pre-departure orientation location: Seattle
Program Overview
MOBT's Spring/Summer Abroad Program is designed for U.S. college or high school students who are 18 years of age or older. During the program, MOBT will take participants on a discovery of Moroccan hospitality and its cultural diversity, within ancient cities, and in the heart of Berber villages in the Atlas Mountains. Upon arrival in Morocco, MOBT's support team will welcome and greet participants at the Casablanca International Airport. Throughout the program, participants will practice speaking Arabic and French with their host-family members and friends as well as engage in panel discussions with Moroccan students and guest speakers. In the program, participants will take part and contribute to a number of community service projects such as building irrigation canals in remote villages, planting trees, and teaching English to low income students. Service projects will take place in both urban and rural locales with Moroccan students and community leaders. In addition to these leadership activities, a portion of the program will include a variety of captivating excursions and experiences. These activities include visits to:
National Park of Ifrane: Ifrane National Park is one of the few remaining habitats for the Barbary Macaque. Prehistorically, this primate had a much broader range in North Africa but currently survives as an endangered species.
American Legation Museum: George Washington established the first diplomatic mission to Morocco in December 1797 in this beautiful palace in Medina of Tangier. This building is now a museum which preserves the heritage of America and Morocco. American Legation is also considered the only historical landmark of the U.S. abroad.
Moroccan Musuem of Money: This quirky museum and art gallery is an unexpectedly interesting tour of Moroccan history through its coinage, from the Roman period to today – we especially like the gloriously colourful notes that introduced the dirham in 1961.
Volubilis: The Mauritanian capital, founded in the 3rd century B.C., became an important outpost of the Roman Empire and was graced with many fine buildings. Extensive remains of these survive in the archaeological site, located in a fertile agricultural area. Volubilis was later briefly to become the capital of Idris I, founder of the Idrisid dynasty, who is buried at nearby Moulay Idris.
The Grottoes of Hercules: The Caves of Hercules are situated 14 km west of the city of Tangier. This cave is a significant tourist attraction - owed by large extent to its association with Greek mythology. Hercules is believed to have slept in these grottoes before attempting one of the legendary 12 labors given to him by King Eurystheus of Tiryns, and which took Hercules 12 years to complete.
The program will culminate in a multi-day tour of several important Moroccan cities. Traveling with the program staff, participant will stop in the following locations for field trips and cultural guided tours, each intended to supplement the program: Casablanca, Fez, Rabat, Marrakech, Meknes, Tangier, Sefrou, Merzouga, Chefchaouen, and Asilah.
Typical program elements
- Meet and engage in community service projects with youth and women's associations
- Learn and practice Arabic through language immersion with homestay family members and locals
- Meet volunteers from the U.S. Peace Corps and CorpsAfrica, discovering living in Morocco through their stories
- Enjoy the rich variety of Moroccan landscape and connect with nature in the Middle Atlas Mountains
- Explore Moorish and Jewish heritage in the cities of Casablanca, Fez, and Sefrou
- Experience traditional Moroccan food and personal connections in a family homestay
- Experience the unique, vibrant street life of historic medinas in Rabat, Fez, and Sefrou
- Engage in personal conversations with Moroccan students
Typical agenda
Monday- Friday
Morning: Community service
Afternoon: cultural activities
Weekends: Excursions
Included in the program fee:
- Full Assistance of MOBT staff
- Airport transfers and pickups
- All transport in Morocco (Taxi, private minibus, train)
- All accommodation (Hotel, homestay, guest house)
- 3 meals per day (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- All workshops described in the itinerary
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums
- All cultural excursions
- Pre-departure orientation
- All presentations and lectures
- Donations to charitable causes
Not included in the program fee:
- Airplane tickets
- Health and other personal travel insurance
- Miscellaneous personal expenses