At the crossroads of Cultural Exchange and Service: Morningside returns to Rabat, Morocco

This June, Morningside College returned for its second year to Rabat, Morocco for a service learning trip. Thirteen students served with a local community organization focused on community development in a low income neighborhood of Sale, Morocco. Before their service project began, students completed an orientation that presented information on the history and culture of Morocco, and included a basic language preparation session of the local dialect, Darija.

During their service learning project, students cleaned and cleared a middle-school courtyard, and designed and painted murals focused on sports and cultural exchange. This service was done alongside their Moroccan peers. The group spent time enjoying each other’s company with traditional Moroccan tea time, and impromptu games highlighting cultural exchange. During this time, students were able to put their newly learned Darija skills to the test, and even taught local Moroccan students how to use chopsticks!

The service trip also included an excursion to Marrakech, the former imperial capital, and a cultural hub in the south of Morocco. During this excursion, many students enjoyed camel rides, explored the local markets (souks), and tasted many different kinds of traditional foods!