By Brittany Allen, ISA Morocco Site Specialist
The small traditional North African city of Meknes is a unique combination of Arab, Jewish and French culture. Meknes may be a smaller city in Morocco, but there is so much to explore! Meknes has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its role in medieval history. The city itself is a beautiful mixture of modernity and antiquity; with elements of a bustling metropolis as well as tranquil markets within the ancient city walls of the Medina. ISA students have the opportunity to take advantage of all that this program has to offer! Below are a few areas of the program that students always rave about:
1. The Housing Options
Students can choose to live in a homestay with a local Moroccan family, or live in shared apartments. Both have their benefits! Homestay students often have a deeper culturally immersive experience, as they are strengthening their Arabic or French skills, getting more familiar with local customs, and partaking in amazing home cooked meals! Students in the apartments have a shared living experience, while having the independence that comes with their own living space. Meals are also included for this option, and the food is AMAZING!
2. The Excursions
There are so many destinations around Morocco for students to explore, and ISA students will have their chance to do so! Semester study abroad students have 11 (yes 11!) excursions included in their program! From Casablanca to Marrakesh to Tangier, students will get to discover so many amazing sights, famous landmarks, natural wonders and of course Moroccan cuisine! In addition to the excursions, our awesome ISA resident staff will also organize many cultural activities for students to enjoy throughout the semester! These include Hammam visits, henna parties, belly dancing lessons, and language exchanges with locals.
3. The Academics
Speaking of languages, the ISA Meknes Study Center program is one of the only ISA programs that offers Arabic courses for all language levels. In addition to Arabic, students can also take courses in French, as well as learn a bit of the local dialect called Darija. These courses are taught by native Arabic and French speaking professors. In addition to language courses, students can also choose courses within political science, international relations, gender studies, religion, and history.
Interested in exploring all that the ISA Morocco programs have to offer?
Learn more about ISA Morocco Programs
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