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Aqeeb, Morocco

Page history last edited by Aqeeb Munir 6 years, 8 months ago

13/5/17

 

Salaaaaam! So  I've finally found a good spot for internet. I wanted to make a video but my phone isn't cooperating :(. But anyway, I landed in Casablanca (Ad Dar ilBayda) on the 13th and I had recently found out that Casablanca in Spanish means `white house' and this was due to the spanish influence in the past. The airport in Casa was hectic, especially the passport control! but nothing to worry about because the staff was really friendly, a few words that I knew in Arabic really went a long way. 

 

After the passport control I had to find a way to the my hotel (which I was staying for a day until the course check in, which was 14th). I found a taxi to the city centre, checked in the hotel, changed, and mingled with the locals outside and managed to go shopping for drinks. Applying and speaking things that you have learnt is really satisfying and rewarding, was really proud of myself.

 

 

14/5/17

 

In the morning I went down for breakfast and asked the hotel owner for the best way to get to Rabat.

 

Before deciding to head of to Rabat, I saw my Jordanian friends facebook status that he was in Casablanca, so I met up with him and he happened to be throwing a North African/Middle Eastern party with food from all different countries, Rabat could wait! After I told everyone that I did not visit the Grand mosque in Casablanca, they felt sorry for me and took me straight there. Just look at these Zwayn ( beautiful) pictures:

 

 

The Largest Mosque In Africa

 

After Casa i managed to make my way to Rabat through the beautiful casa port train station and it was only 30dh from Casablanca to Rabat. When i got to Rabat I made my way to the Qalam wa Lawh center where I would be studying Arabic. I was greeted by my host family and was taken to the family home and straight away I was given coffee, food (typical Moroccan hospitality), met all of the grandmothers, children and other people of the house. I was shown around the house and my room  and

 

14/5/17

Today we all had an Arabic test which consisted of written and verbal. But because I have only been learning Arabic  for a short period of time, I mentioned that I couldn't write in Arabic only learnt to speak. So they put me straight to the oral test. During the test, they asked questions in Formal Arabic and was replying in Egyptian, Saudi,Moroccan and other random dialects, they were impressed but said you have made a salad of all the dialects xD. Then I mentioned that formal Arabic is not for me and I would rather learn a dialect (as people dont speak Formal Arabic) so I can learn and then apply it with my host family. So they put me in  a Darija Arabic course. The family I am staying with speaks no English whatsoever, so It literally forced me to speak Arabic and the idea of learning on the spot and then applying it in a situation really works and I would recommend staying with a host family.

 

 

  

 

I would like to thank the Worldwise team at UCLAN for the LinGo opportunity for the absolutely magical experience, especially for Lisa for the assistance. My two weeks in Morocco had been a truly invaluable experience and to write a daily blog was a difficult task because what I endured daily was ineffable. From the first day I arrived in Rabat at the language center I was welcomed with open arms, a cup of mint tea and unbeatable hospitality. Within the first few minutes I had met Arabic enthusiast from the prestigious universities of the US and lovely people Georgia to Mexico. Through the LinGo award I had picked up the foundations in Darija Arabic whilst staying with a Moroccan family and this was perhaps one of the most beautiful experiences of my life; I had been immersed in the daily life of North Africa from food etiquette to the constant Arabic channels playing in the back. As well as learning Darija Arabic (and the ability to apply it everyday) I also learnt how valuable family life is in Morocco and the outstanding generosity and hospitality they have towards guests. Through the LinGo award I made a plethora of friends from around the world and long lasting friendships with some Moroccan University students (picture mentioned above) who were thrilled and somewhat amazed at me for learning their local dialect and did everything they could to aid me. If anyone reading this blog and is considering the LinGO, go for it and I highly recommend a host family it is truly life changing!

 

Once again a huge thank you to Worldwise team for all your efforts and this beautiful experience.

 

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Aqeeb Munir- Darija Arabic-Morocco

 

Comments (2)

Lisa said

at 9:35 am on May 16, 2017

Wow, the mosque looks so beautiful.

Aqeeb Munir said

at 11:33 am on May 17, 2017

The pictures dont do any justice!!

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