Ifrane, Morocco A'10

Photo taken by Linnea Palmer Patton, Morocco A'08

At A Glance

Term – A 2010

Project opportunities – Islamic history, culture, and society

Housing – Residence halls at Al Akhawayn University

Humanities & Arts Coordinator – Prof. Bland Addison

Preparation – A minimum of one unit (three courses) in the humanities and arts and several orientation meetings in D 2010

Application deadline – October 7, 2009 (before 1:00 pm)

LOCATION

Students will study at Al Akhawayn University (AUI), located in Ifrane, Morocco. Ifrane is 120 miles east of Morocco’s capital, Rabat, and 35 miles from the historic imperial cities of Fes and Meknes -- cities famous for their sacred mosques and colorful Berber inhabitants. With a population of about 15,000, Ifrane is a peaceful resort and recreational village in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, known for its French colonial architecture as well as a royal palace. Al Akhawayn University (AUI) is a semi-private, English-speaking university founded by King Hassan II of Morocco and King Fahd of Saudi Arabia. Since about half the faculty hold American graduate degrees, AUI resembles in some respects an American university.

Throughout Morocco, cous cous is the favorite meal in local restaurants and traditional pastries and fresh mint tea are typical snacks at sidewalk cafés.

PROJECTS

Students take two mini-courses at AUI for one-third unit on the Arabic language, the history of the Arab World and Islamic Civilization, and/or contemporary issues in North Africa. For another third unit, students write an informed memoir about People and Places they visit on educational excursions to historical cultural sites such as Marrakesh, Casablanca, the Sahara…. The final one-third unit Humanities and Arts project can be written in a variety of areas including history, religion, art and architecture, foreign languages, as well as contemporary socio-political issues. Studying with Moroccan classmates and traveling to legendary Moroccan locales provides students with a greater understanding of Arab and Muslim peoples. This unit of work can either conclude the Humanities & Arts Requirement or can be credited toward a Humanities and Arts or International Studies minor or major.

ESTIMATED EXPENSES

Estimated Out-of-Pocket Expenses*	Amount	NOTE: In calculating the extra expense to participate in an off-campus project experience compare this figure to expenses incurred while living on campus: groceries or meal plan, entertainment expenses, transportation, etc.
Travel to site (RT airfare)	$ 1,400
Local transportation	$ 150
Weekend tourist activities & incidentals	$ 500
Estimated total out-of-pocket expenses	$2,050
Expenses included on your WPI bill*	Amount
Program fees	$ 600
Housing, meals and services	$1,500
Total reflected on your WPI bill	$2,100
Estimated total expenses	$4,150	Tuition and on-campus housing not included.
* Subject to change due to fluctuations in exchange rate

Note:

In calculating the extra expense to participate in an off-campus project experience, compare this figure to expenses incurred while living on campus (groceries or meal plan, entertainment expenses, transportation, etc.)

Travel Dates:

Arrive on site: Monday, August 23, 2010
Depart site: Saturday, October 16, 2010

Housing is provided beginning and ending on the dates determined. Students who plan to arrive earlier or stay later will need to make their own accomodation arrangements outside of those dates.

Ifrane, Morocco A'10

At A Glance

LOCATION

PROJECTS

ESTIMATED EXPENSES

Estimated Out-of-Pocket Expenses*

Amount

Expenses included on your WPI bill*

Amount

Estimated total expenses

$4,150

Tuition and on-campus housing not included.

Travel Dates:

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