Countries

If you are a secondary school student in Morocco interested in applying for the YES Program, please click here for more information.

Age Range: 15-17 years of age at program commencement.
Grade Level: Gap year is not recommended.
Host Communities: Students are typically hosted in Rabat.
Language: The language of instruction is French. French language skills are required.

Study in RABAT, MOROCCO with YES Abroad
Set in Africa’s northwest corner, Morocco is a bridge between Europe, Africa and the Arab east. Just nine miles separate Tangier, Morocco from the Spanish coast. The only monarchy in Arab North Africa, Morocco’s culture is a blending of Amazigh (Berber), Arab, African and European influences. Geographically Morocco is divided into 4 regions: the Mediterranean and Atlantic coastal areas; the flatlands of the coastal plains; the Atlas and Rif Mountains; and the pre-Sahara desert area in the south with its oases. The cities are Morocco’s greatest attraction, Fez and Marrakesh in particular are unique and bursting with tradition; there you can still watch life as it was in the Middle Ages.

Rabat, the city where students will reside during their YES Abroad experience, has been the capital of Morocco since independence in 1956 and also during the French protectorate beginning in 1912. It is an elegant city that follows the usual structure of Moroccan cities with the original town, which is called medina, and a new modern part which was initially built by the French on their arrival. The old city in Rabat is a compact area bordered by the sea and the river on two sides, and on the other two by the Almohad and Andalusian walls, dating back to the 12th and the 17th centuries respectively. Rabat offers some of the most surprising monuments in Morocco such as the Royal Palace surrounded by the Andalusian Gardens, the Hassan Mosque that, with its tower, symbolizes the city and the interesting ruins of Chellah that resemble another medina but has actually been abandoned since the 15th century.

Your Host Family
You will live with a host family in Rabat, giving you a chance to form personal relationships with Moroccans and participate in Moroccan family life. Your host families will be carefully screened by AMIDEAST staff and chosen from a cross section of society. Nearly 99% of Moroccans are Muslim, so it is almost certain that you will be living with a Muslim family. All educated Moroccans speak French in addition to Moroccan Arabic, and it is likely that someone in your host family will speak some English. Most of AMIDEAST’s host families have welcomed other American students to their homes and thus are hospitable toward and accustomed to interacting with them. AMIDEAST also makes sure host family residences are in a safe neighborhood within close proximity to AMIDEAST offices and with easy access to transportation. In addition, AMIDEAST checks in regularly with the student and their host family to ensure that both are comfortable with the living situation.

Your High School
Schools where students take classes are in very safe neighborhoods and within a 10 to 15 minute drive from the host family residences. The size of the schools is quite small (the total number of students does not exceed 1,000). The language of instruction is French (though students will be required to take Arabic while on program). Examples of classes that students will be enrolled in include: History, Geography, Mathematics, Economics, Spanish (as a foreign language), French, Physical Education, Physics, and Biology.

Enrichment Activities
You will have the opportunity to take part in various activities while in Rabat. Examples of activities that last year’s students participated in were:

• Leadership through basketball;
• Meeting with the Public Affairs Section of the US Embassy;
• Dinner at the home of AMIDEAST’s Country Director;
• Trips to various cities and towns including Tangier, Marrakesh, Essaouira, Fez, Meknes and Casablanca;
• Cultural days with YES Alumni;
• Community service activities such as teaching English or volunteering with organizations for children with disabilities.

The Political & Security Environment
Morocco is a stable country that provides a safe environment for exchange students. There have been weekly peaceful protests in Morocco for years that have not compromised the safety or stability of the country. Following the events during “the Arab Spring” in Egypt and Tunisia protests and strikes in Morocco intensified and grew in size, however they remained peaceful with few incidents. Late in the spring of 2011 King Mohamed VI appointed a commission to propose a new constitution with greater power in the hands of parliament. The new constitution was overwhelmingly approved in a referendum at the beginning of July 2011, and elections for a new parliament are now scheduled for early November 2011. There was one terrorist incident in Marrakesh (3-4 hours away from Rabat and a major tourist center) in April 2011. It was widely condemned by virtually all Moroccans and the perpetrators (a small group acting on their own) were quickly apprehended. While Morocco faces serious economic and social issues and some Moroccans may be dissatisfied with the pace of change, the vast majority of the people support the King and his approach to dealing with political, social and economic reform. Through AMIDEAST’s intelligence provider iJET, students will receive regular updates about the security situation. AMIDEAST maintains a close relationship with the Regional Security Officer at the Embassy and taps its own sources of information to keep students informed about what is happening in Morocco.

Health & Safety
With AMIDEAST’s 60-year presence in the Middle East and North Africa, we are able to draw on strong local connections, and deep understanding of the intercultural, health, safety, and security issues inherent to study in the Arab world. YES Abroad Students are covered by medical as well as Political and Security Evacuation Insurance. Students will also have access to a 24-hour emergency number and our staff members are thoroughly trained to deal with incidents ranging from minor theft to a full-scale evacuation.