On this trip, I have learned so much about myself in many different aspects. I have always thought about myself as someone open to trying new things and putting myself out there, but also unsure if that is the reality I portray. This trip has made me realize that I am more outgoing than I thought, and I am ready to learn and try new things. Like bargaining in the souks, I have seen my mom do it in India with shopkeepers, but I always felt like that was her job. Coming to Morocco, I got to experience the bargaining firsthand and practiced my skills while simultaneously having fun while shopping, I mean, I’m saving money! Doing so, I had some great and funny conversations with shopkeepers. One that stood out was the man from whom I bought my bright pink shawl. He let me try on the shawl and sparked a conversation while in the shop, and I talked to him about the study abroad program I’m in. He was in utter shock and found it so unbelievable that a student would want to spend an extended period of time here. We talked for like 10 minutes about the program, the university he went to, his hopes for the shop, and more. This all happened because of shopping and bargaining!
When it comes to my professional skills, I was ready even before the trip to grow them and work on communication. I have always been someone who enjoys traveling, even with minimal opportunity, so I knew that when I got accepted for Plus3 Morocco, I had to seize it! During the fall semester in my language arts class, we had to write a research essay about a topic that interested us, and the topic I picked was “How studying abroad impacts your communication skills, adaptability, and flexibility.” When I was writing this, I was intrigued by how every article I had read had shown how students always feel more well-rounded with their soft skills after being abroad, and now I get it. All the site visits we had, the questions asked, and the conversations had meant something. Little by little, I was improving my communication by overcoming a language barrier or a cultural one. Like meeting Chaima from ANDD, she was so inspiring without even knowing it, and our exchange of words helped me. Adaptability and flexibility were shown throughout the entire trip by being in new situations, like cooking with a group of 20 college students, or adapting to living with a family you have never met. It really opened my eyes and taught me so much.
Academically, I was given so much new information that I am still processing. I mean, starting off with our Arabic class left me with a feeling like I was back in my high school Spanish classroom, except this time I could practice my speaking skills with my family. Regarding the focus of our program on women in small businesses, entrepreneurship, and technology, I have discovered so many new things. My favorite activity on the trip was when we did the invention presentation with Moroccan university students in an hour. All it took was an hour for us to use our diverse backgrounds to come together and find a problem we all noticed and a solution we thought could fix it. It was a really great interactive lesson and made me realize something. I realized that there have been so many times where I have been like “Oh, wish they made this for a problem” or ” I wonder if this product already exists because it needs to if not”. All those small thoughts, and it just takes one to pursue even a little more, and some entrepreneurial spirit to keep an idea alive.
There has been so much I’ve learned, experienced, and enjoyed these past two weeks that they are unforgettable. Thank you, Morocco, for showing me your beauty!