Speaking a little Arabic has helped me make many connections and have great discussions with local people (including asking for directions fairly often).
My visit to Tangier was during the last couple days of Ramadan, so there were still a lot of things closed during the day, though less than in Rabat due to the higher number of tourists who are not fasting. Like most cities in this region, at night the whole city opens up for people to eat, drink, and explore. Tangier also has an old city, or medina, which is full of shopping, restaurants, and crowded streets. One of my favorite activities in Morocco is getting juice because it is always so fresh here. I have gotten a juice at least every other day since I arrived here. They are known for their orange juice, although my favorite is the strawberry juice. These juices are just pureed fruit though, so you have to be slightly careful. My roommate ordered jus d’citron (lemon juice) expecting lemonade, and it was a lot more sour than she expected!
For me, studying abroad is largely academic. I have around 20 hours of classes each week; however, travelling to other cities and regions is also an important and exciting part of the experience, too. Studying abroad is all about trying new things and, at times, leaving your comfort zone. In Jordan, I visited a couple different cities with classmates to practice speaking to locals, exploring a new country, and learning about the natural environment. Since arriving in Morocco, Tangier was a great experience to see a part of the country outside of the capital, which has a very unique culture and environment. Luckily, I will have the opportunity to visit at least two other cities in Morocco over the next month.
