Unexpected Weather and Expectations

Hello all,

Ready for another look into my adventures in Africa? Or should I say Antarctica...?

Funny thing about Ifrane, Morocco...it SNOWS. Actually, it blizzards. Quite a bit! Today was officially my third day of classes, and two have been canceled because the Professors are unable to make it to campus from their homes, and the roads are beyond terrible.

Here are the classes I am taking:

1. Intermediate Arabic 1 (Modern Standard)

My great friend Taylor and I make the 'hike' to the cafe.

2. Comparative Religion -- I thought this would be so interesting to take in a predominantly Muslim country.

3. History and Cultures of North Africa

4. Women, Culture and the Media -- Again, what a cool perspective I'll be getting, taking a gender studies class here.

5. North African Government and Politics -- Which, surprisingly, I believe will be the most interesting and beneficial for my research!

So, I believe I am going to really enjoy all of my classes! Arabic has been pretty stressful as they use the immersion method here, (the professor does not use English to explain anything...) which is something I am not used to! Although it's a very small, study-party-worthy group. :) I know I'll improve!

And, I still have not had Comparative Religion! It's one of the two classes that was canceled tonight - along with Women Culture and the Media - and it was also canceled on Monday! This is INSANITY! I never in a million years thought I would go to Morocco, and have to miss class because of over a FOOT of snow and ice! The weather has been just one of the surprises here.

So you think you're getting a different lifestyle on your study abroad trip..? Let me tell you about mine...

More surprises came in the form of campus expectations we received during orientation! Now, the accuracy of these depends on who you talk to, of course. Needless to say. us international students want to conduct ourselves in a way that is always respectful, so we took these to heart.

Here are a few of the regulations we follow not only at AUI, but in Morocco!

- Campus curfew! This was definitely something new. In the US, having a curfew in college seems like such a downer...but actually, we understand that it's a security issue. Especially for us international students. SO, the curfew is midnight, you must be back on campus! Interesting, right?

Marche in Ifrane - what a completely new e

- Public drunkenness is against the law. As in, you can go to jail. I'm not just talking about Muslims (who are technically forbidden from consuming alcohol, according to the Quran), it applies to everyone! Even though the drinking age is 18 here, and as a foreigner, you are allowed to drink, you cannot be drunk in public. We are still trying to make sense of this one.

- On campus, you cannot walk on the grass. Okay...

- Also, on campus, males and females are not allowed to be together in private spaces. So, of course the dorms are segregated by sex, and there is absolutely NO entering of the opposite sex's dorm or room. However, I have seen loopholes on campus... (ex: boys standing outside of girl's windows to talk.)

- More on that note, there is no PDA allowed on campus. This excludes the Moroccan way of saying hello, of course, which is kissing both cheeks of the person you are greeting. (I've actually grown to LOVE this method and will be bringing it to my friends and family back home!) The absence of PDA is somewhat refreshing and takes the pressure off in many ways, but again, it's also something new!

- Dress code. Of course, all of my relatives were drilling me on this before I left the states. Yes, it is proper to cover oneself more here than back home, however, it is not as strict (especially on campus and in the cities I've been to so far) than you would think. All of us are being safe and covering our chests, legs and shoulders, but we are allowed to wear leggings!

I have been feeling so full these days. Full of happiness and gratitude. This is an amazing experience that I continue to learn from everyday. It's challenging, yes. But oh, so rewarding! I've begun to befriend some Moroccan students, and everyone has been so wonderful! This weekend a few of us may be going to Fes, if the weather permits us. It will be nice to get out of Ifrane for a day or two, and get out of the snow...

I'm off to do some more homework now, I already have quite a bit of reading! The good news; I am excited to do/learn about everything!

Until next time! I love and miss you all! 

Sofia xo