Live to Learn

Exeter’s first expedition to Morocco

For many Exonians, the weeks between terms — think summer and spring break! — are the best times to spread their wings and dive deeply into subjects that are more easily understood outside the traditional classroom. In fact, during the 2023-24 academic year, 162 students and 28 adults traveled around the world to continue learning together in off-campus programs during school breaks.

“A break program begins with an idea, with a vision, with a goal,” says Patty Burke Hickey, director of Global Initiatives. “It arises from faculty members, students, alums and visiting scholars. The genesis for the new summer trip to Morocco began in the fall of 2022, when Instructor in History Khalid Madhi came to the Office of Global Initiatives with a question: What would it take to develop a program in Morocco for students to learn about the history and culture of the country firsthand?”

Twenty months later — after much research, permissions and discussion — 12 students and two faculty members (Madhi included) were on a flight from Boston to Tangier.

Here’s the story of that 12-day trip as the students told it on social media.

Postcards from Morocco

Students shared their daily experiences through the Instagram account – pea.morocco.2024

ITINERARY

DAY 1: First day in Morocco guys!!

DAY 2: A busy day sightseeing in Tangier!! We saw the Casbah, Medina and the American Legation, followed by a delightful (though freezing) rooftop dinner at sunset.

DAY 3: We got to visit the pillars of Hercules and ride some awesome camels at the beach!! We also had a speaker talk to us about the health system and history of Morocco.

Every culture has a different way it approaches guests and special occasions, so it was very nice to be able to learn the Moroccan approach and see it as a gateway into the rest of the Arab and North African world.

Victor Angeline '27

DAY 4: Tangier ———> Rabat

DAY 5: First day in Rabat. We visited the Salé gardening school and met with a college professor to discuss what it is like to be a woman in Morocco. Forlunch we had a really good couscous.

DAY 6: We traveled in the morning to Fondation Orient–Occident, a center that helps refugees and migrants coming into Morocco that’s connected to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

After, we returned to the hotel and participated in an engaging discussion with Imad, our guest speaker, about tourism in Morocco. For lunch, we were welcomed by local families to experience a meal in their homes and get to know each other. Finally, we played card games.

DAY 7: One week in Morocco!!! Today we traveled from Rabat to Marrakech, where we visited the Medina and the Dar el Bacha. Afterwards, we had some small group dinners in the Jemaa-el-Fnaa square.

DAY 8: Today we had a wonderful time visiting @projectsoar, an organization dedicated to providing girls the skills necessary to advance in life.

Afterwards, we had a bargaining competition in the Medina, followed by a dinner featuring camel burgers.

DAY 9: Today we learned how to cook a traditional Moroccan meal: tajine.

We learned the process that went into making them, and even took turns pumping heat into the pots that they are made in. While they cooked, we picked herbs to make tea and had a traditional Moroccan tea ceremony. We also went to a hammam, a Moroccan spa.

DAY 10: Today we traveled from Marrakech to the small town of Imlil, where we hiked around the High Atlas Mountains, and enjoyed a slow day of exploring, bonding and mint tea.

Over the course of the program, I experienced an eye-opening sense of unity with the people in Morocco. I saw with my own eyes how nationalities and ethnicities were of no significance at a dinner table — and how differences become irrelevant in heart-to-heart conversation

Forrest Zeng '26

DAY 11: We’re staying with a local family in Imlil, and today we took a six-hour hike in the High Atlas Mountains. After we hiked uphill for two hours, we enjoyed a meal brought up the mountain by mule (which are commonly used here!), soaked in the sunny weather, and basked by a small stream.

We then hiked back down and took a quick trip to town (would recommend paprika chips & pommes). We had dinner as a group and a few of us ended the evening with a nighttime chat on the terrace.

DAY 12: LAST DAY IN MOROCCO! We started the day by visiting Hassan II Mosque. Then we had lunch by the beach and listened to two speakers about education in Morocco.

We drove to the Medina of Casablanca and did our final Medina shopping. The day ended with a nice dinner and dance party in the bus!

Where in the world?

During the last academic year, 162 students and 28 adults traveled around the world to continue learning together during school breaks. Where would you want to visit?

Travel the world with your fellow Exonians. Explore Global Opportunities

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