Our Mission
Our Mission
Our Mission
STUDENT
PROGRams
Cultural Immersion
Students do homestays with Amazigh families in the heart of the Atlas Mountains and get to experience daily life in rural Morocco.
Authentic Cultural Experiences
Students follow the routines of their host families and participate in various activities such as gathering herbs and cooking traditional foods.
Language Immersion
Students are exposed to Colloquial Moroccan Arabic (Daraja) and dialects of the local Amazigh language (Shilha).
Community-Based Learning
Students learn about Amazigh culture, sustainable development, sustainable tourism, Moroccan history, and contemporary issues for rural Moroccan communities.
Middlebury School in Morocco has conducted three trips to the Oulad Ali mountains through which students have had the chance to know in depth the Amazigh culture and live with Amazigh families. During their stay at the Oulad Ali village, students spent some time with the members of the host families indoors and outdoors. Students had to participate in the household, prepare dishes and go out with the family members to either milk the cows or do some gardening and farming. Throughout their time with the host family, students were able to learn some Amazigh words and understand how life is in that part of Morocco. For most of the students, the trip was complementary to their course in Rabat entitled “Berber Communities in Morocco and North Africa”.
- Middlebury College Study Abroad Program in Morocco
- Chloe F.
I loved the time I spent in Oulad Ali! The town is lovely and it’s a wonderful opportunity to experience Moroccan culture, Ahmed is a wonderful guide and there’s so much to discover. It’s absolutely beautiful up in the mountains
- Piara B.
Spending time in Oulad Ali was my favorite experience while studying abroad. I really appreciated being able to visit a non-touristy place in Morocco and my host family was so kind and welcoming. I loved spending time with them and helping them with their daily chores.
Spending time in Oulad Ali was my favorite experience while studying abroad. I really appreciated being able to visit a non-touristy place in Morocco and my host family was so kind and welcoming. I loved spending time with them and helping them with their daily chores.