During winter break, Dr. Jeanette Fregulia and Shannon Ackeret, Director of Global Education, led a group of seven students, two Carroll staff members, and three community members on an 16-day journey through Morocco. Below, Dr. Fregulia shares her reflections on the experience.
Overheard in Morocco's Sahara Desert, "I just love this place!"
With an overnight stay in Casablanca as the gateway to sixteen days criss-crossing the North African country of Morocco, fourteen Carroll College travelers discovered why this country remains a destination for all types of people—the curious, the adventurous, the hungry, the restless, the list is nearly endless. From the coastal communities of Essaouira, Asilah, and Tangier, to the vibrant medinas of Fes and Marrakesh, to the sand dunes of a desert camp on the edge of Merzouga (just a stone's throw from the Algerian border), co-leader Shannon Ackeret and I were reminded again why study abroad is one of the defining opportunities of a liberal arts education. Between cooking, calligraphy, and pottery classes, speeding quads along the Atlantic Coast, a camel ride at sunset, immersive history with local experts, endless bargaining for carpets, scarves, art, and jewelry, and the quiet of the early morning that is pierced by the Islamic call for the first prayer of the day, I was further reminded of the grace inherent in watching others come to love a place that has taken up residence in my heart.
There was the student who, in the course of just twenty-four hours, had three firsts—first international flight, first solo cab ride, and first time checking into a hotel alone. Reaching beyond their everyday lives, several students braved a traditional hammam (bathhouse), about which one remarked, "I don't regret it." In keeping with the theme of this study abroad—Travelers and Storytellers, Morocco's Global History—at the end of each day, there were indeed stories. Stories of people met, the odd marriage proposal, the true tastiness of camel burgers, date shakes, and Moroccan whiskey (mint tea), and what it was about each locale that captured the imagination of participants. In many ways, I think we are all still reckoning with how it is possible to grow our hearts, our imaginations, and our friendships, not to mention our collection of really great stuff, in two short weeks.
There is a word adopted by all that seems to encapsulate our winter adventure—yalla/يلا. With so many meanings from let's go, to hurry up, to come on, yalla for us became a rallying call to the next adventure. If you are on campus, listen carefully, you might just hear it for yourself.
~ Jeanette Fregulia, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Department Chair, Department of History
"Being in Morocco gave us all the opportunity to see the diversity of the world by living in it; which taught me more than any textbook could have. This opportunity allowed us to experience Moroccan lifestyles, foods, and taught us how to speak their various languages. This trip helped us build a community among Carroll students/faculty and the lovely people we met in Morocco."
~ Lauren Tuss, sophomore, Biology major, Malta, MT