1. Blog Posts from Around the World
JU NE 2010: A MONTH IN THE LIFE OF IES ABROAD
1. Chia Jorento, Siena Spring 2010
We hope that these snapshots bring back your 3 June 2010: Siena truly is a wonderful and unforgettable place. The
atmosphere and attitudes of the people aren’t focused on rushing
memories of time spent on your program. See more from place to place to keep busy but on enjoying yourself wherever
you happen to be. Everyone told me that study abroad was something
at http://blogs.iesabroad.org. not to be missed during the “college experience” and I guess I have to
conclude that that is pretty much correct. If anyone asks me about it I’ll
say the same thing: not to be missed (except afterwards).
2. Caroline Bowman, Paris Summer
8 June 2010: Hemingway was absolutely right about Paris
being a moveable feast. A feast literally and figuratively. IES ABROAD RABAT:
From tourist spot, to a slow cafe, to the pleasant and quiet
A New Program in an Ancient City
apartment buildings, Paris is Paris. It’s enticing and it’s
drawing me in. After six weeks, I’m unsure I’ll be able to
unroot myself. For now, I’ll enjoy my little bites of goat cheese,
2 my coveted cherries (you’ve never seen cherries quite so
1 4
5 beautiful), the smell of freshly cut flowers on my morning
walk, and Paris’s ridiculously strong coffee. Morocco today is a remarkable mix of old and new, fast and slow; its optional homestays in Rabat as well as the opportunity to enroll in courses
millennia-old position at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Islamic at the prestigious Mohammed V University and at the International Institute
World gives this country a vibrancy of color, culture, and life that make it for Higher Education in Morocco. Through their homestays, coursework,
a wonderful place to visit and an unforgettable place to study. The city of and internships with local companies and NGOs, students put their
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Rabat, where the river Bou Regreg opens into the Atlantic Ocean, is the language skills to work and reap the benefits of forming friendships with
3. Denise Borsuk, Cape Town Spring 2010 kingdom’s thriving capital. From Rabat’s one thousand year old Kasbah Rabat locals.
15 June 2010: I had no real idea of what to expect before of the Udayas to its colorful markets bustling with activity, this city of 1.8
coming, and it is hard to specify what exactly I left with. What I
do know is that it has been an amazing experience, and I have million offers a unique window through which visitors can see, taste, and Jordyn Arndt, a Spring 2010 Rabat blogger, writes that “One of the
gained so much from the people I met and the experiences I hear modern Morocco for themselves. highlights of my semesters abroad in Morocco has been my host family
had with the beautiful and not-so-beautiful sides of the city…I’ve experience…I adore my host family in Rabat.” Whether helping her host
heard more than once that there is something about Africa
that keeps you coming back. And now, I feel I can definitely Since IES Abroad opened a center in Rabat in fall 2009, enrollments in mother make a traditional Friday meal of cous cous or trying out her Darija
understand that. So, South Africa, I am grateful for an incredible semester and full-year programs here have increased by 33%. Morocco is (Moroccan Arabic) skills with her host sister on “subjects as banal as my
semester. Until next time. IES Abroad’s first venture into the Arabic-speaking world, says Executive difficulties in opening the door to our home and as profound as gender
Vice President for Academic Programs, Michael Steinberg. “Our choice of roles in marriage within our respective cultures,” Jordyn writes she is
Rabat reflects a growing interest in the Arab world in the U.S,” he explains. “constantly learning” both inside and outside of the classroom.
All students take part in intensive Arabic language classes, gaining (blogs.iesabroad.org/author/jordyn-arndt)
valuable classroom and real-world experience with one of the world’s
5. William Eells, Tokyo Spring 2010 4. Juli Gittleman, Beijing Summer critical languages. Rabat, the newest IES Abroad Center, continues the tradition of academic
30 June 2010: If you aren’t crazy about ramen like I am, I honestly 25 June 2010: Most food here is very, very good, but there are
excellence and cultural immersion, qualities that are hallmarks of IES
believe it’s because you haven’t had the good stuff. It was a life- some things that are, well, out of the ordinary…My advice to anyone
changing experience. When you go searching for a nameless, signless for eating weird foods: do not think about what it is that you are Immersion into Morocco’s unique local and regional cultures is equally Abroad programs and centers. Jordyn reflects at the end of her semester
ramen shop in an alleyway in Takadanobaba that has only space for eating. Enjoy the taste, but do not think: “I’m eating something I saw important. “In addition to learning colloquial Moroccan Arabic, students in Rabat, “I will miss Morocco. Despite the physical distance, the
five customers inside, you know you’re hooked. And you know what? wriggling in a bowl 20 minutes ago,” and especially not, “Wow, this
have the opportunity to observe a post-colonial society and to get involved understandings I developed will remain with me.” This newest center,
That is a true story, and it was the best shio ramen I ever ate. I literally thing still really looks like a duck foot.” You’ll end up trying some
sat on the train afterward in a daze. foods that are actually pretty tasty. in service through volunteer work and internships,” Steinberg says. The situated in a 2,300 year old city, brings students another opportunity to
program features a mandatory homestay in Fez during orientation and discover the world and change their lives.
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