 In Morocco
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ALIF
Our
affiliated institution in Fez is ALIF—The Arabic Language
Institute-Fez. It is part of The American Language Center, where many Moroccans
of all ages take English classes. The physical plant is a 1930’s-era
villa, surrounded by a garden of date palms, orange trees, and, blue and
white tile work. Situated near the center of the Ville Nouvelle, ALIF is
both a school and a popular social space for local students. Coffee, tea, soft
drinks, and snacks are also available at the concession stand. Our FSP arranges
regular lunches in the garden. While you should expect to have all major meals
with your family, lunch is available six days a week (excluding Sunday) at the
ALIF concession stand. Lunch generally consists of a salad, tajine or couscous,
fruit, and bread for 35 dirhams. Vegetarian offerings are available.
Lunch at ALIF
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ALIF
maintains a library for the exclusive use of its students. The catalogued
collection includes works on the Arabic language, linguistics, North African
and Arab studies, literature, and Islamic studies. Books are checked out with
the librarian, who can also help you locate books on particular topics.
ALIF has a
few computers available for student use, located in on the top floor. These are
not well maintained, and are not connected to the Internet. You must provide
your own 3.5” disk for personal documents. There is a charge for printing
documents. Macintosh users may be able print documents at Sofafax, a nearby
photocopy/fax shop.
The ALIF
administration keeps valuables (travelers’ checkers, plane ticket) for
you in a specially marked envelope in the ALIF safe.
Finally,
ALIF staffs our courses and tutorials. The Director and Associate Director have
shown themselves flexible and helpful. You are welcome to discuss life in Fez
with them, and, in conjunction with the Dartmouth director, to bring them
suggestions for programming and events.
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Homestays
ALIF
arranges homestays from a pool of families—most somewhat experienced with
foreigners—in all sections of Fez. Due to the nature of the homestay
program, it is not possible to standardize the conditions in the homes of host
families. While meals are part of the arrangement, families are not expected to
depart from their standard diet, and homestay participants are not entitled to
‘order’ particular foods (unless for medical or religious/ethical
reasons).
While
families try to make due allowances for cultural differences, your comfort
level and theirs will be increased if you acknowledge Moroccan household norms.
You should keep the family informed of your schedule, and eat with them at most
mealtimes (which will be noonish for the large mid-day meal, perhaps a gouté
in the late afternoon, and another meal in the evening, perhaps at late as 10
or 11pm.) You should inform them of your travels, and make an effort to
converse with them about families—theirs and yours, your studies and
other topics. Politics and religion might be deferred until you all know each
other well; even then, delicacy may be required, on your part, as well as
receptivity and openness.
Unlocked
bags in your host family’s household can be seen as fair ground for
exploration, especially by children, who will be delighted to discover your
Walkman, tapes, notebooks, or alarm clock. Most of the ‘02s found
studying best done in the afternoon outside the home.
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