So, as a disclaimer, this is my first ever blog. If I'm not interesting, witty, concise, serious, or [you fill in the adjective that a proper blogger should be] enough, I attribute some of it to my lack of experience in this! (I guess I really should just take the responsibility and move on, huh.) Blogging tips such as these are helping me along the way.
This blog will be my observations, reflections, and things I learn as I travel to Morocco this fall. I am leaving in just over three weeks, and have been on a roller coaster of emotions as I anticipate what's coming! Actually, I would call it more of a ferris wheel. The same rotation of nervousness, excitement, stress, impatience, contentment, thrill, and all around apprehension have been hitting me like tidal waves on regular intervals over the last few weeks. As the time gets closer and closer, they have been hitting harder and harder, faster and faster, more and more spontaneously. I'm sure this will get worse over the next few weeks. But I'm looking forward to it. And dreading it at the same time. Does that make sense?
I will be in Morocco for two months: August 21-October 20 (as long as everything goes according to plan). During my time there, I will be living at Al Akhawayn University in the city of Ifrane. I will be taking classes in Arabic and... something else (we haven't been notified yet what that will be). I will also be working on an independent project, more to come on that, and... blogging! That's right, this is part of my requirements. But it's also something that I want to do, to be able to reflect on my own experiences and to share them with my friends and family who are supporting me and praying for me! On weekends, I will be traveling to different cities and places throughout Morocco, and sharing the things that I see and learn about them. That's the basics...
Most of the time, when I tell people that I am going to study abroad in Morocco, they look at me with the face that says "That is the LAST place in the world that I would want to go live in!" I suppose, with political events and religious clashes that happen so often these days, that could make sense. My reasoning for studying abroad here may be puzzling, but here are a few of my reasons:
For one thing, I have always been fascinated by cultures. Different customs, clothes, foods, holidays, landscapes, and traditions have always captured my attention, and I have never been bored when learning about the way that someone else lives. Morocco offers a culture infused with elements of French, Spanish, Arab, and African, resulting in a blend unlike anything that I have ever learned about. Although an experience like this in any culture would be very enriching, indulging in Morocco's culture--so varying, unique, exotic, and timeless--to me is comparable to a giant, decadent ice cream sundae: it will be overwhelming and I may or may not be totally sick of it by the end, but it will be delicious and I intend to savor it every step of the way.
Also, although this may be something that would be a turn off for some, I look forward to adjusting in a place so completely opposite of everything that I am familiar with. Growing up in a Christian family in New England, my life is nothing like that of a typical Moroccan. The dress, climate, religion, and customs will be a stark contrast to my way of life. But this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I am actually looking forward to the foreign-ness of it.
Another reason for my going to Morocco is that I just completed a year of studying Arabic language and culture at WPI. My wonderful professor is from Morocco, and the stories and things he shared in our classes piqued my interest in the country. It will be good practice for me in my pursuit of Arabic learning, although I've been told that Moroccan Arabic is so different from MSA (Modern Standard Arabic, which is what I have been studying) that it might as well be a different language entirely. We'll see how it goes.
The name for this blog, a play on the words for the sweet citrus fruit and the Moroccan city, was partially inspired by this classy Moroccan restaurant in Boston that my family took me to for my birthday last week, (The food was absolutely delicious and as long as everything in Morocco tastes like that, I will be good to go! :D ) and partially motivated by my graphic designing whims. But it also is from a principle which I hope to explore while I am traveling, how Morocco fits into its global context. One might say that the country has a bit of an identity crisis, not being able to decide whether it's European, African, Middle Eastern, or otherwise. The tangerine (which may or may not have actually originated in Tangier, although the name indicates as much) has found its way into almost every part of the world, discreetly fitting its sweetness into the enjoyment of people in every corner of the globe. With the Arab Spring and other events readjusting this historically tumultuous region, how will Morocco find its place? Although the analogy is definitely a stretch, it made sense in my head, at some point or another. So, now you know where the name's from.
And now, back to the daunting task that is packing. Although I still have a few weeks, I'm beginning to get prepared... does anyone have an idea how crazy it is to fit life into a suitcase for two months? I barely know where to start.
I will also be a counselor at HBC's amazing youth summer camp next week, which I am so psyched for. (PS although it would be awesome, we won't be time traveling this time around. The video is a trailer for 2011 but we will indeed be attending Surge 2013. I just wanted to capture the awesomeness a little bit.) Probably my last summer escapade before Morocco, I'll have to make it count. I need to pack for that too... Tangent...
Seriously now, it's time to go back to packing. Right.
Til later,
No comments:
Post a Comment