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Morocco

Threads of History

A Custom School Program

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13 Days

Dive into the layered tapestry of Morocco’s culture, identity, and history. Through visits to historical sites, intentional community immersion, and exploration of modern Islam, students engage with the many dimensions of contemporary Moroccan society.

Develop Meaningful Relationships to the People and Landscapes of Morocco.

Going beyond the traditional tourist’s cursory glance, students engage with Morocco as a diverse and multilingual country—communicating in the local Darija dialect and exploring the nuances of language nationwide. Through guided discussions and guest speakers, they examine Morocco’s approaches to ethnic diversity, gender dynamics, contemporary Islam, and cultural traditions. In a world where understanding Islam is increasingly important, students explore religious practice in one of the Muslim world’s more liberal contexts.

This program fosters meaningful relationships with Morocco’s people and landscapes through shared narratives, while cultivating a deeper sense of agency, global citizenship, and self-awareness. Students should expect to be active participants in their learning—taking on leadership roles, embracing the ambiguity of unfamiliar cross-cultural environments, and fundamentally challenging their worldviews and lifestyles at home.

people sitting on carpets by pillars

Highlights & Outcomes

Explore Cultural Heritage

Develop an understanding of Morocco’s rich history and ethnic diversity through visits to historical sites, discussions with locals, and instructor-led activities.

Engage Traditional Arts

Sink into rhythms of daily Moroccan life through a homestay in Tetouan. During the homestay, spend time with local artisans to gain hands-on experience of local crafts and their importance.

Understand Islamic Practices

Explore modern Islam through daily immersion and structured learning opportunities. Visit the Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in Africa and the only mosque in Morocco open to non-Muslims.

Gain Global Competencies

Experience new cultures, explore different perspective, and build confidence by navigating unfamiliar environments. Students return more independent and with a deeper sense of their place in a global community.

people sitting in Moroccan archway
line drawing of Morocco

Our Journey

We begin in Rabat, Morocco’s capital, for orientation and skill-building. We then travel by train to Tangier for cultural sites, before continuing to Tetouan, our home for several days. In Tetouan, we learn about local ecology and crafts, then experience a multi-day homestay to understand Moroccan daily life, practicing Arabic and engaging with artisans.

Following orientation and skill-building in Rabat, we travel north by train, stopping in Tangier to visit cultural sites and enjoy a view across the Strait of Gibraltar before continuing to Tetouan, our home for the coming days. In Tetouan, we learn about local ecology and artisanal craft traditions before beginning a multi-day homestay to experience Moroccan daily life and family dynamics firsthand. Students also work alongside local artisans, gaining hands-on experience with traditional crafts, while continuing basic Moroccan Arabic lessons to practice useful expressions for daily life.

Next, we journey to Fes, stopping at Volubilis’ Roman ruins. Fes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasts the world’s largest car-free medina and the oldest continuously operating mosque-educational institution. We’ll explore tanneries, ruins, and the Mellah, and reflect on our journey, culminating in a celebratory dinner and goal setting.

View Itinerary

Program Title

Sample Itinerary
The following itinerary is subject to change based on your goals and availability.

  • Day 1-3: Rabat

    Arrival in Casablanca and transfer to Rabat’s Riad el Pacha. Introduction to group expectations and goals. First dinner in Morocco as a group, followed by an opening ceremony.

    Continued orientation activities and Darija language lessons. Learn about Moroccan cooking and prepare lunch. Venture into the city for introduction to topics including cultural norms, Morocco’s political system, and the basic tenets of Islam.

    Visit Kasbah of the Udayas, Moorish Cafe, and Andalusian gardens, providing a basis for understanding Moroccan history and eras of colonial influence over the past 3000 years.

  • Day 4: Tangier

    Travel via train to Tangier. Visit Cinema Rif to watch and discuss a film exploring a facet of Moroccan life. Look across the Strait of Gibraltar and enjoy tea and discussions about al Andalus. Depart for Tetouan and settle into eco-lodge accommodations.

  • Day 5-9: Tetouan

    Hike to a cave to explore the landscape of coastal northern Morocco and learn about medicinal plants. Afternoon bread-making workshop and homestay briefing.

    Students engage in artisanal lessons in the morning, working with local craftspeople in a discipline of their choosing. After lunch, we meet our wonderful homestay families and students enjoy dinner and evening activities with their hosts.

    During our days in Tetouan, we establish a daily routine and rhythm that will allow students to learn firsthand the customs and daily practices of Moroccan life through the homestay experience. During the day, the group reconvenes to continue their lessons with artisans, welcome guest speakers and participate in experiential workshops.

  • Day 10-11: Fes

    Departing Tetouan, we travel to the Middle Atlas and visit Volubilis, the ancient Roman ruins, to understand the country before Islam’s arrival. In Fes, we explore the old city, a UNESCO world heritage site, through a scavenger hunt.

    Visit the city’s Mellah, a Jewish quarter formerly populated by Jews exiled from Spain. Later, we participate in a lesson on how to make zellige tiles, a traditional Moroccan art form.

  • Day 12: Casablanca

    Depart Fes for Casablanca. Visit the Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in Africa. While non-Muslims are prohibited from entering mosques in Morocco, the Hassan II Mosque is an exception and we will have the chance to tour. Begin transference activities, reflecting on lessons learned in Morocco and how to bring that learning home. Closing ceremony.

  • Day 13: Departure

    Depart Casablanca for travel home.

Custom School Programming

How We Do It

Each Custom School Program is tailored to meet your needs. Through a close, hands-on collaboration, we take the time to understand what matters most—and draw on decades of experience to create something unique, thoughtful, and authentic.

Together, we’ll design a program that’s cohesive, purposeful, and fully supported from start to finish—never a collection of tourist stops or disconnected activities. We’re ready when you are.

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Summer Abroad Travel Morocco Where There Be Dragons

Program Components

Our Program Components are the building blocks of your itinerary. During the customization process, these components can be dialed up or down to meet the goals and vision for the program. Each program component is thoughtfully planned to ensure that your students engage meaningfully and authentically connect with the places they visit.

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Medium
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Religious & Spiritual Traditions

Visit the University of Al Quaraouiyine (mosque + educational institution), explore the Mellah (Jewish quarter), and participate in structured discussions on Islam’s role in Moroccan society.

Homestay

Spend multiple days living with local families, practicing Arabic, and participating in daily life in Tetouan.

Independent Study Project

Work alongside artisans on a project of your choice for several days in Tetouan. Options include: bread baking, Islamic geometric design, pottery, embroidery, and more.

Focus of Inquiry

Explore a broad array of subjects including Moroccan history, ethnic and cultural diversity, art and expression, and contemporary social movements.

Social & Environmental Justice

Discuss ethnicity, gender, and role of Islam in Moroccan society to better understand how they shape identity and daily life.

Rugged Travel

Ride local trains, stay in homestays, walk through medinas, and eat authentic cuisine while exploring Morocco.

Language Study

Learn Moroccan Arabic (Darija) throughout the program, especially during the Tetouan homestay phase where they practice daily with host families.

Featured Instructors

Our instructors are more than guides—they’re mentors, educators, and trusted companions. Each member of our team is thoroughly vetted, background-checked, and trained in our unique pedagogy and risk management practices. With an average of over four years living abroad and fluency in local languages, our instructors serve as meaningful cross-cultural liaisons.

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