Today the pre-departure preparations have begun! After months of applications, acceptance correspondence, and school work I am mentally prepared to start the packing process. With the help of Kris Knisley, this blog was created so that I can properly document my experiences as they happen, and my family and friends can keep tabs on me.A month from today, January 7th, my family and I will pack up the car and drive to Chicago. Then I will fly to Toronto, then Paris, and finally Rabat to begin orientation with AmidEast. After a week of intense orientation I will be placed with a host family and begin school at Mohammed V University .
During my stay I will take five courses and also go on excursions to Marrakesh, Fez, and Casablanca. By May 14th I will be back in Milwaukee, ready for graduation. Four and a half months is not a long time to study abroad, but it will be an incredible experience regardless. With any luck I will come home with some conversational Arabic under my belt and a whole lot of good pictures.
Armed with a video camera and notepad, I will take on Rabat one day at a time and report what I see to you here at RabatRobot. I promise to keep the facts objective and the narratives selective. You are welcome to send me messages and send me on adventures with questions about Islamic and North African culture or language.
Back to you, Milwaukee.
