Submitted by Maressa Cuthrell on the 2024 Winter LLCU program in Morocco…
I think one of the most shocking things that I’ve noticed within the first week of being in Morocco has been the overall hospitality and welcoming nature of everyone we’ve met so far. All of the staff have been really accommodating to us by either speaking slower or speaking in English to ensure we understand what’s happening. Since we’ve been here, everyone has been really nice and helpful in making it easier for us to get used to the new environment. All of the people we have encountered so far have been very willing to try and understand us with limited English or Arabic. Many have even stopped to have conversations with us in the middle of marketplaces or restaurants. One man was a US-Moroccan and was so excited to hear our American accents that he talked with our group for a little while as we shopped in the market. We’ve also spent some time getting to know our host families and they have welcomed us with open arms and are always excited to talk with us and share pictures of family members or the day’s events. So far, the friendly nature of all the people we have met has surprised me because even without knowing anything about us, they are excited to get to know us. (Submitted on January 12, 2024)