Today was not my site visit day, but while visiting Stargate specifically, I noticed several similarities that I could connect to my work with ANDDs. Stargate’s mission of providing opportunities and resources for startups to succeed without expecting money or repayment in return reminded me a lot of what I see in ANDDs, since it…

Today we learned about artisan women and the journey from making $1 a day to becoming the breadwinners of their households. This line cracked me up in class because the women in my host family’s house are always making sure I’m the breadwinner. Without fail, they make sure I can finish an entire circular loaf…

Today in class, we learned more about Moroccan religion, politics, and the role of women in society. From what our guest teachers explained about Moroccan religion, I found it interesting that anyone can lead prayer in a group; it does not have to be a higher member of the church or mosque. This is something…

Today we had classes teaching us the Moroccan language and bargaining skills. I honestly fully enjoyed both classes, but if I had to pick a favorite, it would have to be the bargaining skills. In our first class, a professor taught us commonly used words and phrases. I loved the way we practiced by slowly…

Life in Rabat feels calmer and more relaxed compared to larger cities like Casablanca. As the capital of Morocco, Rabat blends modern life with deep history, creating an atmosphere that feels both professional and traditional. The streets are filled with small cafés, local markets, and people walking along the coastline or through the medina. Many buildings display…

Today we landed in Casablanca, Morocco at 7:15 am. I couldn’t believe we were supposed to start our day right away after nearly 10 hours of traveling before arriving. Initially, when we first landed at the airport, I noticed that my surroundings had a similar bustle to America, but the airport and nearby areas felt…

My name is Madison Benzing, and I am currently studying Accounting while working toward earning my CPA along with a leadership and ethics certificate. I am from Delaware County, just about 15 minutes from the Philadelphia sports stadiums, and I even was able to attend the Eagles Super Bowl Parade last spring. Go Birds! At…