Student Spotlight - Gabriela Pesantez, Casablanca Excursion

After a morning of Arabic and Darija class, and a delicious lunch at the CIEE center, we were so excited to travel to Casablanca for the day and visit the beautiful Hassan II Mosque. The Hassan II Mosque is the largest Mosque in Morocco and the 7th largest mosque in the world. Arriving at the mosque was an experience I will never forget because of the beauty displayed throughout the outside and the breathtaking beauty of its architecture.

We had the opportunity to visit the inside of the mosque and had a guided tour from which we learned the history of the mosque, how it was built, and how long the construction took. Being able to experience such a beautiful religious landmark was truly an unforgettable experience and allowed me to connect further with the culture of Morocco.

After visiting the mosque, we went to a Cafe in Casablanca where we enjoyed a refreshment and held our weekly reflection. We all discussed our experiences during week 2 and our weekend trip to Marrakech. Hearing everyone’s experiences and relating to my peers on the trip was very fun and it was a great time to relate to each other. I am so happy that I was able to experience Casablanca and am so grateful to have been a part of this spontaneous, educational, and unforgettable trip.