Diversity in Rabat

CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. On this page, local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter at their location.

The information below is just a broad overview so if you have specific questions or concerns not covered here, please email inclusion@ciee.org. We would be glad to have local staff share their perspectives, talk with you about accommodations, connect you with resources, and/or put you in touch with a program alum who could speak about their experiences navigating a program in this location.

No matter where you choose to study abroad with CIEE, our staff—all of whom receive regular and comprehensive training in diversity, equity, and inclusion—will be on hand throughout your program to provide advice, resources, and support regarding these issues.

Body Size/Image

Body size and beauty are perceived differently in Morocco. Moroccans tend to be direct when it comes to describing physical attributes. For example, if someone has fairer skin, they will call them white. If they have darker skin, they will call them black. Similarly, it is common for people to directly reference or comment on body size.

In Moroccan culture, weight gain is seen as a good thing. Moroccan mothers often compliment their daughters when they gain weight. Please don’t feel offended if your host family makes comments about weight gain or loss. You may also be asked to eat more out of generosity and hospitality. Your host mom might encourage you to eat more to gain weight.

Disability

Although Morocco’s transition toward democracy has gained considerable momentum since 2011, not much progress has been made toward equality for people with disabilities. Policies to improve the social inclusion of people with disabilities are still scarcely implemented, partly due to a lack of funding. People with disabilities have few dedicated services, and their inclusion in society remains limited.

Rabat lags behind the U.S. in providing physical accessibility features at public and private institutions. Students who use a wheelchair or cannot see or hear might have a difficult time in Rabat. Nevertheless, people are generally friendly and eager to help.

Students are encouraged to provide as much information as they can about their specific disabilities (or related needs) prior to arrival so CIEE staff can assess potential challenges and arrange for appropriate accommodations.

Socioeconomic Status

While Rabat is more expensive than other parts of Morocco, under-resourced students will have support locating places to eat and methods of travel that are affordable to most Moroccans. During orientation, we will help you locate convenient, healthy, and diverse options of cafes and restaurants. You will also observe the places your homestay family frequents. As most members of the CIEE Rabat community come from under-resourced backgrounds, you will be able to see how a little can go a long way while studying abroad in Morocco.

Gender and Gender Identity

In Morocco, it is believed that each gender has a unique and complementary place in society. For example, women often make decisions for their household and children, while men typically provide for the family’s physical needs. Rabat is where modernity and tradition intersect, so be prepared to observe a wide variety of women’s dress, roles, and expectations.

Women may occupy different spaces, assume different roles in society, and express themselves more discretely (dress, sexuality, etc.). Women may also be treated differently by men in public (catcalling, less direct eye contact) and at home (domestic chores, child-rearing responsibilities). Men may express societal dominance, engage in displays of affection among other men (e.g., greeting friends with a kiss on the cheek or linking arms while walking), and take on less work than women.

Differing gender norms can feel uncomfortable or unfair, but every culture has a different history. We encourage students to approach these differences from a place of curiosity rather than judgment.
Women can experience difficulties adjusting to Moroccan expectations for gender expression. During orientation and throughout the semester, CIEE staff are available to provide advice and support regarding these issues. Cultural peers are also a great resource for discussing gender dynamics in Morocco.

X Gender Marker

Morocco is a Muslim-majority country where sexuality is not prominently displayed. Private matters are generally kept private. Even forms of affection between cisgender people are not commonly displayed.

In CIEE Rabat, we pride ourselves on providing an inclusive safe space for our students. However, for health, safety, and security reasons, we do not advise students to display their sexuality or gender identity in public. They may not have sufficient language skills to engage in discourse on the topic, and safety is also a concern. Moroccan laws against homosexuality can result in punishable consequences. Generally, public displays of affection are uncommon for any gender or sexual identity.

Heritage Seekers

If you are a heritage seeker, you may struggle to manage your expectations and feelings of belonging in the host country. At times, you can feel accepted by the local community based on your shared heritage; other times, you can feel like an outsider when national identity or cultural differences set you apart.

People you meet in Morocco will be very excited to know that you have heritage ties to Morocco or the region. However, this could be a very challenging and overwhelming experience, as there are many interwoven expectations and assumptions—like mastering the Arabic language, for example!

Keep in mind that even if you grew up surrounded by and brought up with North African culture in the U.S., living in the region is another intercultural experience altogether. While abroad, we urge you to decolonize the narratives that may have impacted you as an American and attempt to see through a new, more nuanced, and analytical lens.

Although it may be your heritage, locals may see you as an outsider or, in some contexts, hold certain expectations of you that they do not hold for American non-heritage-seeking students.

Racial and Ethnic Identity

Moroccans don’t have a word for race or ethnicity in the local dialect. Instead, they talk about one’s “roots.” There is a certain plurality of the national identity, which includes Amazigh, Arab, sub-Saharan, “African,” and Andalusian cultural components reflecting its richness.

Language is an important element in defining race and ethnicity. Marginalization is often associated with one’s ethnicity. Those who speak French hold more power and privilege than those who speak only Arabic. Arabic has more prestige than Tamazight.

Religion

Those from Christian or Jewish traditions are considered in Islam as "people of the book." These religions are widely understood and accepted in Moroccan culture and Islamic tradition. In general, monotheism or religions that believe in God are widely accepted and discussed in Morocco.

People from an atheist background will be in a position that is not common or widely understood in Morocco. A good place to discuss these topics would be with CIEE staff, faculty, and language and culture peers who offer workshops and training to understand these views.

Sexual Orientation

Colonialism and culture wars have severely limited tolerance. There is a stark contrast between the writings of Muslim poets in the 13th century and the current political laws concerning homosexuality in many Muslim countries.

Heteronormativity is the norm in Morocco, and gender fluidity is not understood by most Moroccans. Therefore, you must be prepared that you might not be able to share that part of your identity with everyone you meet. CIEE staff, faculty, and language and culture peers are exceptions, where you can discuss these topics freely.