International students have a special bond. We are all thrown into a similar situation: new country, new language, being the outsider, and in some cases being terrified of the events that will occur during our first month. This is why it is so important to build a community that supports, listens, and celebrates together. Yes, we also have integrated and made some amazing Moroccan friends but we still created and maintained an inclusive community because we are all in similar situations and have the ability to relate to the struggles of being abroad. Many students have had birthdays during our time in Morocco. It can be a difficult time because some people will miss their family and friends from back home a little extra on that day. For this reason, we have gathered together and celebrated birthdays in little ways. For one friend, in particular, we had a little gathering and bought macaroons and candles. At this point in time, you may have already realized that I am not the best photographer.
Do not be alarmed, this is not a box on fire. This is a box filled with delicious macaroons. She is blowing out the three candles that we were able to secure.
Later that night, some of us met a few Moroccan friends at a popular cafe in town to watch the World Cup Qualifier for Morocco. In every culture and country, sports can be a sensitive topic; therefore, it is important to set some ground rules. When teams lose a match, there is a possibility of riots--like I said this is conducive for any country. As a foreign exchange student, you do not want to chance being placed in a negative situation. My friends and I decided, if there is 10 minutes left and the team is losing, then we leave. Fortunately, we did not need to use this rule because Morocco won. It was the most amazing sight, all of Ifrane was alive, singing, and celebrating in the streets(at least that's how it seemed in the moment).
Moroccan Tea is a must when watching a soccer match.
In the morning, a bunch of International students and I traveled to a rural location in order to see and purchase from the famous Atlas Moutain Women's Rug Association. Before the tour and shopping, we were provided with the most amazing breakfast--Mesemen, Harsha, and Moroccan Tea. All of these rugs are handmade and the women do not follow any specific patterns. All of the patterns that you see are from their minds. If you ever find yourself in Morocco, I highly recommend that you take the trip to this little town that's 30 minutes past Azrou. It is a beautiful drive, but bring medicine if you get motion sick easily because the roads are quite turbulent and there are many switch-backs.
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