One of the most rewarding parts of my time in Casablanca has been everything happening outside of the classroom. With no classes on Tuesdays or Fridays, my schedule has been perfect for exploring the city and getting involved in the community.
As one of the only international students in my program, I’ve done all my group work and projects with local Moroccan students. They’ve been some of the most welcoming people I’ve ever met. They ask me endless questions about my background—politics, Donald Trump, the music I listen to, and where I want to visit in Morocco. They even offer to take me to their favorite spots! My friend Abderrahmane brought me to his gym right along the beach, which was one of the coolest views I’ve ever had while working out. My other friend, Badr, has been showing me around Casablanca, introducing me to his friends (even those outside of our university), and taking me to amazing restaurants. The hospitality here is unmatched, and I’m constantly reminded of how lucky I am to experience it.
Even my professors are incredibly interested in my perspective. They ask me about my classes back home at USC and if I find their courses challenging (spoiler: I don’t—they’re much easier here). The mix of curiosity and openness from everyone here has made me feel right at home.
Beyond my Moroccan classmates, I’ve also connected with an amazing group of international students. Paulo, from Rome, is hands-down one of the nicest people I’ve met, and he keeps us laughing with his dramatic Italian flair. His two French roommates, Louis and Martin, are also great people, and we have been hanging out nearly everyday.
There’s a group of seven students from Russia, and they might be the kindest people I’ve ever encountered. We’ve bonded over stories of life back home and dreams of visiting each other’s countries. Kirill, Polina, and Sasha have officially invited me to Moscow, and while I’m not sure how I’ll make it happen, I hope I can visit one day.
Of course there’s Jameela, my roommate from Germany. We’ve got a great routine—keeping our space clean, drinking tea every night, and chatting about everything from American football to Moroccan culture. She’s a fan of football, which I never really imagined being such a refreshing thing to talk about while in Africa.
We’ve got so many trips planned together, and I can’t wait to share more about our adventures. Whether it’s exploring Morocco or just hanging out in Casablanca, I’ve been soaking up every moment of this incredible experience. Stay tuned for more!
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