Summer Moroccan Studies
Unique Experiences
Focus on Moroccan Society
and culture in an innovative content course or choose an Arabic language course
Live with a Local Family
and immerse yourself in authentic Moroccan culture
Explore the walls of Chefchaouen
or the dusty red streets of Marrakech on a multi-day trip
3M
Residents in this city, Morocco's second largest
2012
the year Rabat was granted World Heritage Status by UNESCO
2.5 M
attendees at Mawazine, a music festival in Rabat
Your Destination
Morocco’s capital and second-largest city, Rabat, has a population of 3 million. It’s home to the country’s most prestigious universities, as well as international institutions and World Heritage Sites. Explore the modern and the traditional, from stunning colonial architecture and fascinating ruins to exciting concerts and unique art exhibits. Wander through the palm tree-lined boulevards in central Rabat, lounge on its sandy beaches, or watch a football match at your favorite local cafe!
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Rabat.
The Culture
Excursions & Activities
- Explore thousands of years of history with a guided tour of Rabat’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the Old Medina and Kasbah, the ancient ruins of Challah, and the Andalusian Gardens
- Take weekly trips outside the classroom to apply your language skills to locations such as the National Jewelry Museum, ICESCO headquarters, or a local newspaper.
- Cross flowing streams and climb up rocky ravines as you hike through the breathtaking Atlas Mountains, stopping to visit an indigenous Amazigh Village in Ourika
- Wander through the streets of Chefchaouen, the “Blue Peal of Morocco”, and watch the sun set over the city from the Spanish Mosque.
- Hike to the Akchour waterfalls, stopping to drink a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice while you rest your feet in the crystal-clear waters of the nearby rivers.
- Get lost in the red-walled medina of Marrakech, one of the four imperial cities of Morocco, and watch the sun set as street performers, musicians, and storytellers appear in Jemaa el-Fnaa
Program Blogs
On Fridays, We Eat Couscous
Couscous is a traditional Moroccan dish, eaten on Fridays - the day of congregational prayer. Huge groups gather around one big table a eat the dish together, normally by hand... keep reading
Moroccan Women's Football Team Making History
Football, football, football! Football, known as soccer in only a few countries, finds its origins all the way to the time of the Aztecs. However, the game we know today... keep reading
I'm sorry / I forgive you: Finding Meaning in a Mirrored Image
This past week, I had the opportunity to visit the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art for the second time during my stay in Morocco. The museum, easily... keep reading
Housing & Meals
Housing
CIEE Rabat offers diverse housing options to ensure you're comfortable in your home away from home. From homestays to shared apartments, your accommodation preferences will be met. Additionally, all housing options are located in neighborhoods with convenient access to public transportation, shops, cafés, and eateries.
Standard Housing: Includes a room in a homestay or shared apartment.
- Homestays: Homestays include a private room in the modern and traditional home of an Arabic-speaking family in the heart of the Old Medina of Rabat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In many cases, families are multilingual, speaking Amazigh, Spanish, and/or French and their homes combine Western and traditional Moroccan elements. Homestays feature a traditional Moroccan living room, kitchen, and bathroom shared with the family. Internet access and laundry services are provided. Students are only steps away from a variety of local cafés, family-owned bodegas, and small restaurants. Homestays are typically located under 20 minutes from the CIEE Rabat study center via public transportation (tramway or taxi) or on foot.
- Shared Apartments: Apartments are shared with another CIEE student and include a shared bedroom, living room, bathroom, and kitchen. Wi-Fi is provided and there are laundry facilities nearby. Shared apartments are located in a vibrant and modern neighborhood under 30 minutes from the CIEE Rabat study center by tram or taxi.
A note: The default criterion to assign housing is first-come, first-served; however, other factors may also be considered. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we'll let you know before you arrive. Non-standard housing options require an additional fee that can be found in the program Dates and Fees.
Meals
Homestays: Families provide a home-cooked breakfast and dinner of traditional Moroccan cuisine on weekdays and weekends. Families are able to accommodate many dietary restrictions including vegetarian, kosher, halal, dairy free, and gluten free needs. Students are responsible for their own lunch, which could include cooking at the CIEE study center kitchen or going to a local restaurant.
Shared Apartments: Students are responsible for their own meals, which could include cooking in the in-unit kitchen, cooking at the CIEE study center kitchen, or going to local restaurants.
Academics
The Summer Moroccan Studies program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive and multifaceted academic analysis of Moroccan culture and history. Discuss the many factors shaping Moroccan identity and the major issues of contemporary Moroccan society such as globalization and agricultural water shortages.
Examine the recent social and political changes in the Middle East and North Africa region and explore Moroccan cuisine and the way it’s shaped by Moroccan cultural values. Students can also opt to learn colloquial Moroccan Arabic, making it easier to connect with the people of Morocco and learn about their way of life. In-class work is augmented with co-curricular visits to the city’s rich variety of cultural institutions and organizations relevant to the course offerings.
Courses are taught by faculty from local and international institutions. Language courses are taught by language instructors from local universities and other organizations.
CIEE Rabat is located in the modern neighborhood of Agdal in central Rabat, with easy access to public transportation. Students are only minutes away from international restaurants, chic local cafes, and lush parks.
Course Information
Course Notes
- Students may enroll in the Communicative Moroccan Colloquial Arabic Language class during one session.
Summer Session II 2025
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Scholarships & Grants
CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Wollitzer Merit Scholarships in Area or Comparative Studies
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
- MSI Grant
- CIEE STEM Scholarship
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.
Dates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Summer Session II 2025 4 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $4,750 |
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Participation Confirmation = $300*
Educational Costs = $3,520**
Housing = $730***
Insurance = $200
Total Fees = $4,750Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Meals not included in program fee = $140†
International Airfare = $1,150
Local Transportation = $30
Books & Supplies = $30
Personal expenses = $130††
Other = $40
Total Costs = $1,520Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
*non-refundable
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals a day. For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $160 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.
††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
What's Included
Tuition
Housing
Pre-departure Advising
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation
Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city
On-site Staff
Full-time program leadership and support in your city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Excursions and/or Study Tours
Travel Protection
CIEE iNext travel protection
24/7 emergency on-site support
Meals
Our Staff
Madiha Chafiq
Center Director
Madiha received her master’s degree in international education and development from George Washington University and her bachelor’s degree in international relations from Boston University.
Haddou El Bour
Program Coordinator
Haddou El Bour worked with the Peace Corps for eight years. His experience varies from teaching his mother tongue of Tamazight and Moroccan Arabic to working as a training assistant...
Get Started
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Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.
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Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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