I’m currently sitting in the Frankfurt Airport as I write this blog, my Plus3 Morocco journey has come to an end! I now have a chance to reflect on what I learned throughout the entirety of the experience, and the best way to begin is by selecting a singular photo to represent my time in…
Author: Blake Balthaser
Is this “tech”?
Today was finally time for my group and I to lead the site visit at ANDD. Similarly to what we have already seen with entrepreneurship in Morocco, ANDD dedicates themselves as a company to instruct those who are uneducated with technology. In doing so, they help to give an understanding to the internet to locals….
When can AI do my landscaping work?
Today’s topics were quite broad, with one being social entrepreneurship and the other AI. Given the differences, we were all presented with the choice to pick one or the other to write our blogs on! Given how I plan to eventually get the certificate for AI foundations in business through the University of Pittsburgh, I…
F Students are the Inventors
Today, the main topic was consistent on entrepreneurship. The founder of the Center of Cross Cultural Learning, Farah Cherif D’ouezzan, spoke to us this morning about the steps in her life that led to her eventually founding and leading the CCCL. Following her presentation, a group of local Moroccan students arrived at the center, where…
Work life is creeping up on me…
Before departing from Marrakesh, we took a stop at the women’s cooperative to learn about their operating system as well as engage in a leather workshop where we were able to make something of our choice. Out of the options provided, I chose to create the sunglasses pouch pictured on this blog. Something that stood…
Insert Corny Photo Dump Name
Selfie in front of the Koutoubia Mosque Group shot fruther from the Koutoubia Mosque Fountain in the Bahia Palace Photo of a Souk inside the Marrakesh Medina I chose to include these photos specifically in today’s blog post because I feel that it covered all that we as a group did today. Starting out with…
The Excursion
Today marked the start of the site visits tied to the Plus3 program. With the focus on entrepreneurship and technology, we made our first stop at the Casablanca Technopark. Here, we learned about how the application and acceptance process works for startups seeking to use the resources that the Technopark provides. I believe this detail…
Changing the Market
Today’s classroom involved a handful of guest speakers. For starters, the Anou cooperative made me realize how transformative establishing fair pay can be. In the past, the rural craftswoman who produced rugs in Morocco would only earn a sliver of profit, 4%, which discouraged many future artisans. However, with the introduction of Anou’s platform they…
Religion, Gender, Politics, & Beach Soccer
Another round of classes took place today, with a primary focus on religion, politics, and gender dynamics. As a result, I had the opportunity to learn more about the history of household dynamics and make a connection with how my host family navigates daily life compared to historic Moroccan families. The father, like many other…
2 New Languages
Today began the start of class sessions at the Center for Cross Cultural Learning in Rabat. Besides extra tips on safety, we had two core focuses for today, the Arabic language and the language of bargaining. When it comes to me, I unfortunately found myself to not be very good at either. After covering basic…
Arriving to the Capital
The following paragraph is a description about life in Rabat written by AI: Life in Rabat blends tradition with modernity in a way that feels both vibrant and relaxed. As Morocco’s capital, the city has a cosmopolitan atmosphere, with government buildings and embassies alongside bustling souks, seaside cafés, and historic landmarks like the Kasbah of…
First Impressions
Ahead of my arrival to Morocco this morning, I initially expected to find strictly traditional attire everywhere I went. I was under the belief that I’d stand out quite heavily by not being covered head-to-toe in robes. Instead, I was surprised to find that not entirely to be the case! I was able to observe…
Next Up: Morocco
Hi! My name is Blake Balthaser, and I am stoked to be headed to Morocco on the Plus3 program with the University of Pittsburgh. I am currently enrolled in the School of Business and the David C. Frederick Honors College, where I am planning on dual majoring in accounting and business analytics. Outside of the…