Another Step to Celebrate
This summer, I was humbled by the opportunity to watch my students—whom I had only met virtually before—in person speak Arabic with such spontaneity and natural ease. I felt a genuine sense of honor. It was surreal to witness them converse with locals and support each other throughout the journey, and the fact that they already knew each other from online classes made this cohort a truly unique one to remember.
This was not a traditional group of students, as I often expressed when people mistook them for a college-planned study abroad program. It was a group of professionals that sought to learn Arabic as a life skill to integrate cultural competency into their fields of expertise—education, engineering, law, entrepreneurship, global networking, and the medical field. Their decision to embark on an educational program was driven by their desire to bring something new to their professions and explore how the authenticity of culture can create new learning opportunities as leaders in their respective fields.
Finding the balance between Tourism and Educational programs!
One challenge I encountered was figuring out how to ensure that this trip was not overly touristy. My aim was for students to emphasize the integration of language and culture during their journey, to explore, enjoy, and truly be conscientious of their learning. I wanted them to develop the ability to navigate the culture independently and to organize their return trip for deeper immersion opportunities. Providing excessive guidance and oversimplifying the cultural aspects did not align with my goal of authenticity, realism, and transparency.
Morocco NEVER Fails to Surprise You!
Their eyes captured the scenes I had hoped to introduce in an online learning environment
Fortunately, I had the confidence that Morocco would excel in helping me incorporate creativity into the planning of such an immersive educational trip. Every location we visited, whether a site, city, or place, served as a dynamic outdoor classroom where our students not only practiced Arabic but also internalized it. Their eyes captured the scenes I had hoped to introduce in an online learning environment. The relationship between language and culture grew stronger as we delved into, engaged with, and embraced the local surroundings. The communal areas, authentic sounds, and historical echoes served as the most organic supplementary resources any educational setting could desire. These encounters animated our vocabulary, providing us with tangible connections to revisit each time we revisited our journey.
Amid the busy itinerary, I found myself reflecting, taking deep breaths, and realizing what a blessing this journey was.
I couldn’t have asked for a better group. Our cohort, guided by a shared mission, thrived in the heart of Morocco’s unique cultural tapestry. Students understood the program's mission, trusted the process, and demonstrated tremendous patience throughout our daily itinerary.
Khatawaat, meaning "steps," perfectly describes the many strides we took together. Our moments of reflection showed us how culture shapes language, and how authentic, local experiences teach us to navigate and grow independently. We agreed to follow the timeline of the host culture, and everyone committed to this with unwavering dedication. Our group chat was vibrant with personal accounts of our daily encounters, daily vocabulary, questions, and with unpredictable learning opportunities. It still serves as an archive of memories, teaching & learning resources, joyful jokes, and endless laughter.
I had an ideal team with an ideal group of people.
Now, let me introduce the community!
We all saw how Ustaatha Maria connected deeply with all participants through her passion for teaching, filling every moment with joy and engagement. She was a true advocate for immersive learning, and her authentic knowledge of the city of Marrakech conveyed a model class setting in the heart of the oldest school in Marrakech, Madrasat Ben Youssef.
Ustaatha Fatimazahra, a scholar by nature, with her ever-cheerful presence, led students on an adventurous competition in the ails of a library in Rabat, accompanying us both online and in person, she carried her cheerful Tanjawi (Tangiers) smile and positive attitude throughout our journey.
Ustaath Marwen inspired learners with his adventurous spirit and organized class notes. His independent approach to learning and traveling, linguistic competency in multiple languages including Russian and Italian, English and of course Arabic, enabled him to effectively mediate our online classes and in person interaction during our trip to Tangiers.
At Bridges Center for Language & Communication in Rabat, Ustaath Taoufik welcomed us and a group of Moroccan students to share a Friday Couscous meal with our Khatawaat students. The experience of enjoying this traditional Moroccan dish together exemplified the sense of community and togetherness that breaking bread represents in Moroccan culture, especially on Fridays. Alongside our fellow Bridges teachers, we engaged in a rich interaction that showcased Moroccan hospitality and fostered cross-cultural dialogue. This generous welcome by Bridges will always hold a special place in our memories.
And of course, Mostafa, the Master of Moroccan Humor, a Scholar in Disguise, left us in awe during his educational tours, exploring the hidden treasures of our ancestors and sharing wisdom and witty observations that reflected everyday life in Morocco. His guiding spirit and educational approach brought our experience full circle, making him an unforgettable part of our learning community.
Ustaath Said, the calligraphy master, welcomed us with his cheerful smile, transporting us through history in a class filled with fascinating stories about Arabic script and its artistic evolution. We were captivated by the beauty and depth of this ancient art.
Abdelfatah, our transportation provider, combined wisdom with punctuality. His preparedness for emergencies and willingness to make special arrangements
made us feel secure, thanks to his well-organized scheduling and safe driving, allowing me to focus on our program itinerary and the cultural immersion aspect.
The stories of hope at Amal Center showed us that by coming together as a community, anything is achievable...
At the Amal Women's Center, we discovered the essence of resilience, a shared purpose, and the importance of community in empowering women to achieve their utmost potential. The stories of hope at Amal showed us that by coming together as a community, anything is achievable, and food serves as a powerful means of connection. The wonderful chefs helped our students cook their first Moroccan dish while practicing Arabic.
I vividly remember, as we were preparing for our cooking class, a guest at Amal Center asked if we were traveling as friends. My heart smiled as I answered, “Yes, we are friends—and a learning community.” The harmony of our cohort was so clear that even an observer could sense it. That person later joined our program, a testament to how a true community brings out the best in each of its members for everyone to enjoy.
Every time I introduced them, I simply said, “These are Arabic Khatawaat Learners, here to learn Arabic,” and the rest became a melody of welcome to Morocco!
A journey full of laughter and joy!
Throughout the journey, we created codes, hashtags, and countless jokes. It felt like a true family. The cohort’s wisdom and character shaped how I perceived many life tasks and choices. I learned more from them than they did from me, and they each hold a unique place in my heart. The friends we made and the entire experience exceeded anything I had imagined. Every time I introduced them, I simply said, “These are Arabic Khatawaat learners, here to learn Arabic,” and the rest became a melody of welcome to Morocco.
Preserving our Memories
We left Morocco with lasting memories and a deeper appreciation for how cultural context enhances linguistic skills. Thank you to everyone who trusted the process and made this trip a journey to treasure. I look forward to reuniting with the 2024 cohort in our upcoming Travel Pals meeting, where we’ll celebrate our learning community, reflect on our learned lessons, and cherish the memories we’ve created together.
Until we meet again! I wish you a wonderful learning journey, and remember that 'one step at a time' is all you need to begin your journey learning Arabic. You never know where those steps will lead you, which bridges you will cross, or the paths you will carve along the way.
Stay in touch!
Best,
Raja Benchekroun LinkedIn
Arabic Khatawaat Founder & Director
Email: Info@arabickhatawaat.com
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