My study abroad trip to Morocco was an utterly unique experience. Having never left the United States before, it’d be hard to imagine that I could possibly visit such a beautifully ornate country and leave it not feeling changed as a person. While I like to think my experience only reinforced my love for travel and how I always thought I’d feel getting to travel internationally for the first time, reality is certainly a far cry from all the nights spent visualizing it. You can never be truly prepared for the real thing. But Morocco did not leave me wanting…except for the chance to go back!

I found myself easily enamored by Morocco’s landscapes, but what most unexpectedly excited me was the bustling nature of the cities we visited, especially Marrakesh. It was nothing less than energizing seeing the whirlwind of people flying around, each individual set on reaching their destinations and paying little attention to much else. It amazed me how quickly I felt “normal” and not like a tourist, being part of the waves of people crossing streets headed for their favorite alley restaurants or the souks of the medina. Melting into the crowds and feeling that sense of belonging with complete strangers was effortless given how busy the city centers were and how numerous the cars – and I can’t leave out the mopeds constantly whizzing past us as we walked. I also admit, rather sheepishly, how much I liked negotiating with shopkeepers to settle on prices we both felt was fair. It made for an interesting shopping experience, very different from the U.S. to say the least.

Though I loved all the activity of the cities, that isn’t to say the natural landscapes of Morocco are any less worth mentioning – as with anywhere I go, nature is always the best part (to me, anyway). The further we traveled inland, the sparser such cityscapes became, making even some of our longer bus rides enjoyable. My favorite part is always getting to see mountains and Morocco’s Atlas Mountain range did not disappoint! Even from a distance, looking out the window and seeing the mountains dot the sprawling desert landscape was everything I could’ve asked for. It was breathtaking. And the experience of getting to spend the night in the Sahara and watching the sun rise over the dunes escapes words.
It goes without saying how unbelievably grateful I am to have gone on such a trip and how ready I am for more.

– Drew, SPC Morocco Study Abroad Program, May 2025