After landing in Rabat and spending time with the staff at IES Abroad, as well as visiting organizations like ED Trust and AMAPPE, I quickly realized how much Moroccan businesses and institutions focus on addressing local challenges to improve the country as a whole.
For example, IES Abroad offers programs for students from all over the United States, helping them fully immerse themselves in Moroccan culture. They emphasized their efforts to teach Arabic to students while also providing opportunities for them to work as interns, helping Moroccan students learn English. During our visit to their classrooms, we were met with an incredible level of hospitality. They prepared food for us and shared insights into unique cooking traditions, which was not only welcoming but also deeply educational. In the U.S., I don’t think we often go to such lengths to make guests feel completely at ease in unfamiliar surroundings, so this experience really stood out to me.
During our business visits, we learned even more about Morocco’s focus on development. At ED Trust, an accountant explained how they use SWOT analysis to tackle challenges in education and reduce reliance on the informal economy. Similarly, AMAPPE introduced us to their initiatives to support refugees in finding jobs and accessing education, ultimately helping them contribute to Morocco’s economy.
What struck me most about these visits is how Morocco is addressing the issues of a developing country while still navigating its earlier stages of economic and social growth. By contrast, the United States faces different challenges as a more developed nation. This contrast gave me a fresh perspective, and I’ve already learned so much just in my first few days here.
One thing I deeply admire about Morocco is the genuine care and hospitality shown to people, which is something I think the U.S. could learn from. Whether it’s through supporting citizens or welcoming outsiders, Morocco’s approach feels more personal and intentional, and it’s a lesson I’ll carry with me throughout this journey.
