Yale Summer Session in Ifrane & Rabat: Society and Politics of North Africa

Description

The Maghrib – Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya – has historically been a critical frontier zone linking Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. This crossroads remains strategically important with issues such as sub-Saharan and North African migration, political Islam, Arab-Berber identities, terrorism and counter-terrorism, the Sahara question, and Mediterranean trade relationships current international concerns. This program provides a thorough overview of North African history, the legacies of colonialism and nationalism, political systems and opposition, Islam in North Africa, and the Maghrib in the 21st century. Participants will also meet with local experts, interact with Moroccan university students, and be able to have a homestay with a Moroccan family. 

Courses & Credit

At the time of application, participants choose to receive credit in AFST S325, GLBL S361, HIST S236, MMES S285, or SOCY S236 for this course.

Students earn 2 credits on this program.

Yale Summer Session Programs Abroad are intensive, highly structured academic programs led by Yale instructors. 

Instructors

Jonathan Wyrtzen, Professor of History and Sociology, Yale University

Professor Wyrtzen’s teaching and research engage questions related to empire and colonialism, state formation and non-state forms of political organization, ethnicity and nationalism, and religion and socio-political action.  His work focuses on society and politics in North Africa and the Middle East, particularly with regards to interactions catalyzed by the expansion of European empires into this region. He holds an MA in Middle East Studies from the University of Texas-Austin and a PhD in History from Georgetown.

Class Times

Class will take place Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Students should expect about 2 hours of work outside the classroom each day.

Classroom Location

Classes in Ifrane take place at Al Akhawayn University.

In Rabat, classes will be held at the Center for Cross-Cultural Learning (CCCL).

Money & Budgeting

Many students find a combination of credit and debit cards to be the most convenient way of accessing money while abroad, but it's important to have a backup option.

The official monetary currency of Morocco is the Dirham. The Moroccan dirham is a closed currency, which means travelers can’t get it outside the country. However, participants should bring a moderate amount of cash, ($100 or so) in USD with them into Morocco to exchange upon arrival. This can be used to cover initial expenses like bus/taxi fares, snacks, and phone calls for the first couple of days. Please note that participants likely will need more than $100 for out-of-pocket expenses throughout the entire duration of the program.

Participants can exchange their cash for dirhams in banks, hotels and Bureaus de Change in an airport or port, and can also exchange any leftover money back into USD at the end of the program. If a participant has previously visited Morocco and has any leftover dirham from that trip, they can take up to 2,000 dirham into Morocco with them. There’s no limit to the amount of foreign cash participants can bring into the country, but they are encouraged to be mindful of what they might need and of the potential safety risks of traveling with large amounts USD.

Most US banks and credit unions will charge an international fee for withdrawing money while abroad. This can be minimized by making larger withdrawals at a time and keeping the extra cash in a safe location. There may also be a limit to how much participants can withdraw daily. Some banks waive ATM withdrawal fees if they have partnerships with banks abroad, and encourage participants to ask their bank about this possibility. While it would be much more comfortable to just carry around a credit card while in Morocco, participants should be mindful that some stores, restaurants, and hotels in other countries do not accept credit cards, especially for small purchases like coffee. 
 

Participants should expect out-of-pocket costs not billed by Yale, including but not limited to class materials, coffee, snacks, and transportation to and from the classroom.

Program Cost & Funding

Yale Summer Session Programs Abroad costs are updated annually and include the administrative fee and program deposit, program fee, tuition, and international housing charge.  

Budget

Yale Summer Session Programs Abroad updates program budgets in late January. Please note the year listed on the button below.

Summer 2024 Budget

Trips and Activities

On every Yale Summer Session Program Abroad, learning extends outside of the classroom. Participants can expect a variety of integrated activities and excursions that enhance the academic goals of the program. Trips and activities listed below are included as examples only and are subject to change. 

All required activities and excursion include transportation (when outside of the host city), entrance fees, and most meals. 

Excursions may include trips to the Roman ruins at Volubulis, the walled medinas of Meknes and Fes the financial and political capitals of Casablanca and Rabat, and a Saharan excursion to the Tafilelt oasis and Merzouga dunes. In collaboration with Journey Beyond Travel, a multi-day trip to the oasis city of Marrakesh, the High Atlas Mountains, and the sea-side walled medina of Essaouira is also included.

For more information on things to do and see in Morocco, participants can explore any of the following websites:

• Journey Beyond Travel
• The View from Fez travel blog
• Wikitravel Morocco
• Lonely Planet Morocco

Housing

All participants are required to live in program-provided housing while abroad and are not permitted to arrange housing independently. International housing is guaranteed from the first day of the program until the official end date.

Ifrane

In Ifrane, students will stay in university residence halls at Al Akhawayn University (AUI) for the first three weeks the program. The dormitories offer double-occupancy rooms (two single beds), with an attached bathroom. Cleaning staff cleans common areas every day and bedrooms every two weeks.

During overnight trips, participants will stay in hotels. 

Rabat

During the final week of the program in Rabat, participants will be placed with local Moroccan host families, coordinated by the Center for Cross-Cultural Learning (CCCL). Before the homestay, students will attend a cultural orientation with the CCCL Home Stay coordinator, who will be able to able to answer any questions.

Homestays are an integral part of this program. The living arrangements provide participants with the opportunity to learn more about the host culture and form meaningful connections in the community. Students admitted to the program are expected to spend time getting to know their homestay families and be mindful of the need to balance time spent at home with time exploring the city or going out with friends. If participants have any questions about living with a homestay family, they are encouraged to reach out to the program homestay coordinator.

Meals

In Ifrane, students will be enrolled in a meal plan that covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner while on the Al Akhawayn University (AUI) campus. Meals will also be provided during day trips, the Sahara weekend, and the four days of traveling to Marrakesh and Essaouira before arriving in Rabat.

In Rabat, participants' host families will provide them with breakfast and dinner each day, and participants will receive lunch at the CCCL. Students should keep in mind that it is important (and polite) to let their host families know if they are not going to be home for one of the provided meals.

Notes

Climate

It's hot and sunny in Morocco in the summer. Ifrane is close to 5000 ft. in altitude, making it cooler than much of the rest of the country, but it is extremely dry, making it extremely important to hydrate. Fez, Meknes, Marrakesh, and the desert have very high summer temperatures. Participants can learn more at this helpful website.

Packing Considerations

1. Pack light! Participants will be able to do laundry and will likely return home with new items from the host country. Participants should expect the possibility of carrying their bags on several modes of transportation and up several flights of stairs alone.

2. Keep all essential items in a carry-on bag (e.g., passport and medications). 

Clothing

While on campus at Al Akhawayn University, it is fine for male and female students to wear what they want (shorts, tank tops, etc.). However, for most of the field trips, personal travel, and the period in Rabat, it is recommended to keep clothing modest, lightweight, and loose. This will prevent unwanted attention (particularly for female students). Participants should bring at least one pair of pants or a longer skirt and short-sleeves (covering shoulder or ¾ sleeve shirt). Light scarves (cheap to buy in Morocco) are also useful during field trips to cover up when needed.

For the period in Ifrane, there are also excellent athletics facilities, including an Olympic-size pool, so participants may want to bring workout clothes and bathing suits. There have been pools at several of the field trip hotels in the past, and the program will also visit the coast.
Students can visit this website for further advice on how to dress in Morocco.

Useful Items to Bring

Participants should pack a backpack, sunscreen, insect repellant, comfortable walking shoes, and warmer layers for evening. They should not bring any items that are considered forbidden in Morocco. Most airlines will provide a list of such items, and participants can also check the FAA's website.

Electricity Adapters

Morocco outlets are different than the U.S. and are the same as those used in France and most of the rest of Europe. It is recommended that participants pack an adapter, but it is possible to buy adapters in Ifrane and Rabat.

Cultural Adjustment

Morocco is a predominantly Muslim country that celebrates a history of religious tolerance with regard to its historic Jewish minority and contemporary pluralism. That said, there are cultural norms in Morocco that are important to recognize and understand with regard to public behavior. In terms of clothing, women, and, to a lesser extent men, are expected to dress modestly in public. On campus at AUI this is not an issue, and students should feel free to wear what they want. However, while in cities or towns, they are advised to cover shoulders and legs.

Morocco has so much to offer, but it is also important to understand challenges related to harassment that any student may encounter, particularly members of the LGBTQI+ community and women travelers. Participants should take a careful look at the information provided by the U.S. Department of State (Morocco Local Laws & Special Circumstances) as well as travel guides or government resources for specific groups. This resource for women travelers from the U.S. Department of State can be quite helpful, and Yale Study Abroad recommends LGBTQI+ participants check out this blog on TrovaTrip and this resource from The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association. 

Questions

For general program questions, contact studyabroad@yale.edu.

Important Information Before Applying

• All YSS Programs Abroad are intensive, highly structured academic programs for Yale credit and grades.
• Students may only apply to one YSS Program Abroad per summer.
• Admission is not guaranteed. Applicants should anticipate that more students will apply than there are spots available, and Yale College students should apply to a backup Non-Yale Summer Abroad opportunity.
• Ensure that your transcript reflects how you have met the pre-requisite, if applicable, prior to applying.
• Participants must commit to the full program dates. Late arrivals and early departures are not permitted.
• Participants are required to be enrolled in all program courses.
• Participants should expect evening and weekend requirements. Students who have questions about religious observance during a YSS Program Abroad are encouraged to Meet with an Adviser.
• Program-arranged housing is required for all YSS Programs Abroad. Students are not permitted to secure independent housing. Students who have housing-related questions about placements, allergies, religious observance, or disability-related access are encouraged to Meet with an Adviser.

Apply to a YSS Program Abroad