We spoke with International Relations student SA Masih Ghazanfari about his study abroad experience in Morocco.
Why did you choose to study abroad in Morocco?
I chose to study abroad in Morocco because I wanted my education to go beyond the classroom. As an International Relations major focused on the MENA region, I knew that truly understanding the culture and language meant full immersion. I didn’t want to learn Arabic only from a textbook in Syracuse; I wanted to hear it in the streets, use it in the market, and speak it with my host family. Morocco gave me a real-life learning environment where I could see the ideas I studied actually happening around me.
What courses and academic experiences did you enjoy or find most interesting?
The most impactful academic experience I had was my Community-Based Learning (MENA 390) course with Dr. Rachid Touhtou. It gave me the foundation I needed to understand Moroccan society, which directly strengthened my internship. My Arabic classes were also essential. Their impact was even greater because I could use what I learned right away at my internship and in daily life, moving from memorizing vocabulary to having real conversations.
What aspects of Moroccan culture did you most enjoy or appreciate? How did you adapt to local customs or social norms?
I really appreciated the warm hospitality and how important food and community are in Morocco. My homestay mom was an amazing cook, and sharing couscous together became something special. I adjusted by fully joining local life. I learned my way around the busy Medina, found calm in the Kasbah of the Udayas. Embracing daily traditions helped me connect with people and show respect.
How has your semester abroad prepared you to succeed in college and beyond?
This experience has had a big impact on my career path. Interning at Fondation Orient-Occident gave me real, hands on experience with the challenges refugees and migrants face the same human rights issues I study. Working in a professional setting in a foreign language improved my communication, adaptability, and problem solving skills. It also gave me confidence and resilience that will help me in my future work.
You participated in a Community Based Learning course that included a volunteer placement with a local organization – talk about that experience and how it impacted your semester and studies abroad?
My internship at the Fondation Orient-Occident was the most important part of my time abroad. Working at the front desk put me directly in contact with refugees and the organization’s work with UNHCR. I answered calls, helped visitors, and used my improving Arabic to communicate. This experience connected what I study to real life it turned migration from an academic idea into a human reality, with faces and stories I won’t forget. It also strengthened my commitment to working in the human rights field.
How has fall study abroad shaped your time at SU?
Returning to Syracuse, my classes in International Relations and Human Rights now feel very different. My studies are no longer abstract they connect directly to the people I met and the experiences I had at the Fondation Orient Occident. I now have real stories and insights that will make my final year seminars and my senior thesis more meaningful, grounded, and passionate.
What would you tell someone who is unsure about studying abroad in a non-European based location? What travel opportunities did you have while studying in the North African region?
I would tell them that the personal and academic growth you gain in a place like Morocco is unmatched. Studying in Europe is great, but Morocco pushes you to rethink your assumptions and see the world from a completely new angle. The program staff offers strong support, so you’re guided, but you also learn to navigate a new environment on your own. The rewards the friendships, the insights, and the personal growth are truly priceless.
In Morocco, I explored the different parts of my host city, Rabat, from the busy Medina to the peaceful Kasbah. While I focused mainly on immersing myself in daily life in Rabat, the country’s great travel network also makes it easy to visit places like the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert, making it a perfect base for exploring North Africa.