My Semester in Morocco - Nate Fowler

A Learning Experience Where the Homework is Reflection and the Tests are Interactions 

I was a little nervous to say the least. Stepping off the plane for the first time in Rabat, the capital of Morocco, knowing this would be my new home for the next three and a half months. All I could think about was my family, friends and football games that I was going to miss.

The process of adjusting to life in a new place with new people is one that I have only gone through once before and that definitely went well, although the po-boys helped a lot. But this experience has been incredible. Living with a host family in a different country has been such an undertaking of understanding. It was difficult at first to not become frustrated with the inability to stay out late at night with friends or be able to use your cell phone to stay in contact all the time, but these moods have evolved. I am now living my life here and not feeling dragged down by my cultural expectations clashing with the norms here. I wake up early, come back to my host family for every meal with the family. I go to the hammam regularly, the traditional Moroccan bathhouse, which for anyone that visits, is at first reminiscent of a science fiction movie scene where half naked men in a thick warm mist are all scrubbing each other, so yes, my life is a little different than dorm gossip here.

Just like two years ago I have found that such an incredible place is only made to be a little ineffable with the people it is filled with. Talking to locals here has opened my eyes to issues and passions only familiar from obscure books before. People have been so welcoming and friendly, always inviting me to join them on an adventure or for tea. The population of this place in their warm and friendly attitude has only served to draw a huge parallel to my life in New Orleans, these places would be lost without their people.

During this semester I have been lucky enough to go all around Morocco. From the North and Tangier where I literally saw Spain from my café seat to the South and the Sahara desert by camel. Traveling train, I have seen the terrain that runs the entire country. I have hiked up the highest mountain in North Africa and swam the lagoons in the warmest Pacific waters, all the while making amazing friends.

There are thirty-five students from around and outside the United States on my program including three others from Tulane. I have made friends from tiny schools in Minnesota to my fellow Tulanians that I had never known before, all of whom I will treasure long after my last exams of college. The students on this program are adventurous and open, all the while maintaining who they truly are.

My semester here has been truly one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had but that is not to say I don’t miss mom, dad and red beans & rice Mondays at Bruff. I cannot wait to return to my home in New Orleans as a junior. There will be yet another grade that has graciously decided to attend Tulane in order for me to feel older and cooler yet again. I will be incredibly sad to leave Morocco and say goodbye momentarily to these great friends, newfound family and store these memories for the a while but I am eased at knowing what I am returning to, some of the greatest people anyone could ask for and an incredible school.

I am a little nervous to step off the plane in New Orleans, I know all I will be thinking about is mint tea, couscous and the crowded streets of Rabat, just maybe in Arabic too. But I know everything will be ok when I’m walking to my first class and my friend tackles me to the ground in a rough but loving “welcome back.”

About the Author

Nate Fowler

Class of 2017 

Majors: Political Economy and French

Involvement: GWA, Greek Life, Model UN, Intramural Sports