Submitted by Emanuelle Hooton on the 2016 winter session program in Morocco sponsored by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures…
My decision to study in Morocco has thus far been an excellent and fruitful one, but I failed to take into account one very important fact when making it.
I don’t speak Arabic.
I don’t speak Arabic, French, Spanish, Swahili, Bantu, Afrikaans, Berber or any other common African language. In point of fact, I don’t speak anything but make-your-ears-bleed Boston-accented wicked good American English. Every other time I’ve been overseas, I either knew enough of the language to get by, or not had to communicate anything other than ‘where is the toilet and the train station’.
And now I’m here! My host family is so friendly and accommodating, and go out of their way to make me feel at home. I love them, but I don’t know how to express it. I don’t know the cultural customs or how to behave. Heck, I barely know those in America. I’m terrified of causing offense or inconvenience to some of the warmest, kindest people I’ve ever met. I’m out of my home and out of my depth.
I love every second of it. I’m learning to express things in brand new ways. I’m learning to connect with other humans while lacking the best tool in the box. I’m (hopefully) learning to adapt to other people and their needs without them telling me what they are.
Personal growth always happens outside your comfort zone. I’m so glad I left mine five time zones away.
