The emphasis on community and cultural involvement was one of the most important parts of my trip to Morocco, and the image I selected represents both of those things. At the CCCL, we were taught the basics of haggling in the souks and were given 30 dirhams (about 3.26 dollars) along with an hour and a half to go practice. Even though I had only recently met most of the people on the trip, all of the guys came together to buy the same item from a shop in order to get a substantial discount. We each went to different storekeepers selling the same fez to see who could get the lowest price. Eventually, one of us managed to negotiate the shopkeeper down to 30 MAD per fez for all eight of us. After everyone got the right size fez, we took a picture with the shopkeeper to show our appreciation for his kindness and service.
The bond I developed with the guys on the trip became very strong, and I can already tell those friendships will be long lasting. The sense of community, both among the boys on the trip and with the random Moroccan people we met, will be one of the most memorable parts of the experience. Playing football on the beach, having conversations with friendly locals, and haggling with shopkeepers all made the community feel alive and vibrant.
The process of negotiating with shopkeepers to lower prices to what I felt was reasonable was a skill I actively had to work on during my trip. At first, I was not very good at it, but by the end I felt much more confident. I learned how to negotiate effectively, and if I couldn’t get the price I wanted, I had the confidence to walk away. Beyond haggling the food I ate, the people I spoke with, the things I learned about religion and daily life, walking through the crowded Medina, and all the other little oddities of things all added to my immersion in Moroccan culture.
Personally, I feel like I have become much more open to new experiences, no matter how foreign or intimidating they may seem. There were many things I normally would not have done, but because I knew I was only there for two weeks, I pushed myself to take opportunities that helped me feel more immersed. For example, in Marrakech a man with a snake came over and wrapped it around my shoulders. My first thought was hell no, but then I realized I might never have this opportunity again, so I agreed. When else in my life am I going to be in Morocco with a snake draped around my shoulders? Probably never again lol.
Academically, I feel more prepared when it comes to presentation skills. In the past, I always needed a quiet and empty room where I could practice alone for hours to make sure I could present everything clearly and within a reasonable time. In Morocco, I didn’t have that kind of space so I had to adapt to my environment and still find ways to prepare effectively. That experience showed me I can still perform well even when conditions are not ideal.
Professionally, I learned how to balance my time between exploring and going on side quests with staying on top of responsibilities like blog posts and classes. Although each day was packed with classes or site visits, the afternoons and nights were usually open for exploring. Being able to get my shopping done, play football on the beach, and enjoy those experiences while still leaving enough time for presentation preparation and blog posts was an important lesson in time management.
Overall, I am grateful for everything I experienced on this trip both positive and negative. I am grateful for the moments when I missed home, the times I felt uncomfortable trying to adapt to a different culture, and even the moments when I felt like an out of place tourist. All of those experiences helped me grow. I am especially grateful because I know I made the most of this trip, and I will probably never have another experience quite like it in my life.