Thoughts of the First Weeks

Hello to ALL, I love it here, the pictures, the alley, my host family, my travel group, the FOOD, Illias, Rayda and Donyah, not Tuna, the medina, and everything in between, including the weather, which I hear is a record high back in Seattle. I am learning Arabic more than ever, and also broken French at times, Moroccans assume I am French. Thank you to EVERYONE, Amideast for their hospitality, the travel group for their good times and embrace, Suzanne, Molly, and Naoful for encouragement, and a packed itinerary, MY FAMILY in Seattle, and here in Rabat, and of course, One World Now! Never in my wildest dreams would I imagine my young self here, in Morocco, AFRICA with such incredible, inspirational, hilarious people! Looking forward to excursion and weeks ahead.
-Jim جم McGowan

Morocco is fantastic! I loved talking to the Moroccan students who are going to be exchange students in the US next year! They were so warm and welcoming and excited about moving to America. We all exchanged numbers and email adresses so they can contact us when they get to the states. Many of them are going to be students in Washington. I am looking forward to showing them around Seattle. This is GREAT! -Amy Taylor

This week has been an incredible experience for me. I have never would've believed that at 17 I would be familiar with a small area in Morocco, living harmoniously, with a non- english speaking family! The architecture here is stunningly friendly, but there are also many beggers and stray cats. The funniest example of culture disparities this week has been the suprise and confusions of the Moroccan students we were with. When the girls in our group got excited about seeing a baby donkey. It is so exciting to be here, I can't believe I'm in Africa! Love to my family and friends in Seattle.- Inness Wragg

Oh my God Morocco is so much fun. I love my host family, they are very nice. The food is so good and the places are pretty. We went to the kings tomb and that was fun. We also have seen trees from different countries. This is such a great experience. I am enjoying every bit of it. Can't wait to see what else is out there in Morocco. -- Rebeca Reyes

OMG, OMG, OMG! This has probably been the most amazing five days of my life/the longest EVER! There has been so much going on I don't even know where to start. My host family is just wonderful and loving, the people in the city are really lovely. Just been here for a few days and I feel at home. :D The way they endure our wierd behavior/our lack of Arabic is beyond imaginable. This experience has helped me grow as a better and more mature young lady. I can now carry myself in a higher altitude. Now I am able to be "responsible" for mysellf. No worries parents, all is good and will always be. Love always, Sundus

I'm having a good time in Morroco. I have had fun with my 3 host brothers and host parents. This is cool. Hi Mom and I heard it's hot in Seattle.- Trevor Elder

So we have spent almost a week in Morocco and my experience has been over the top! It was funny looking back in my journal, and how scared I was to meet my host family but come to find out they're FABULOUS. The food is great also! I love Morocco and I can't wait to invest in more of my exxperience here. - Michelle Moises

This experience so far has been so different from what I had pictured when I was back in Seattle. I guess I had let my imagination run a little bit wild becuase I was so nervous for what the unknown was going to be. My host family is so great I feel like they are my own. The food is amazing and I cant wait to go on excursion. - Lacresha Lowery