Morocco is full of Arabian charm, hectic cities, beautiful colours and magical cobbled laneways – it’s wild, but in the best way.
Whether you’re looking to take in the fragrant sites and smells of Fez or visit the medieval and imperial city of Marrakech, you won’t be disappointed. With natural beauty around every corner, when studying here you can go right to the heart of the adventure with a selection of exciting tours and short day trips.
For many students, Morocco might just be a short hop away by ferry or by one of the myriad budget airlines from Spain, but it’s a much further distance to travel culturally. The regular certainties of Europe are suddenly swept away by the arrival in full technicolour of Africa and Islam. It’s a complete sensory overload.
Morocco Fast Facts
Languages Spoken
The official languages spoken in Morocco is colloquial Arabic (known as Darija) and Berber.
Currency
Moroccan Dirham (MAD).
Symbol: درهم
100 MAD is approximately £7.80
Time Zone
Western European Time Zone UTC +00:00, so there is no time difference between the UK and Morocco.
Languages Spoken in Morocco
- Moroccan Arabic is a dialect of Maghreb Arabic. The language is fairly different from the Arabic traditionally spoken in the Middle East and is also slightly influenced by French or Spanish, depending on where in the country you are. This dialect is also related to Spanish, as Spanish was heavily influenced by Arabic from Morocco before the expulsion of 1492.
- Berber, or the Amazigh language, is spoken by Morocco’s Berber population. In the mountainous regions of the north the dialect is Tarifit, the central region the dialect is Tamazight, and in the south of the country the dialect is Tachelheet.
- French is widely understood in Morocco, and it is the most useful non-Arabic language to know.
- You will find some people speak English and Spanish in tourist centers, many of these will be travel touts and guides. Some shop owners and hotel managers in urban centers also speak English, but outside of that English is not widely understood.
Courses
Beginners, intermediate and advanced level group/private classes can be booked either face-to-face or online.
Top Places to Study
Marrakech
Located in western Morocco, Marrakech is a great place to visit if you’re looking for a mix of Moroccan culture, history and modern life. Sip a mint tea as you wander around shopping in the traditional and vibrant souks and charming back alleys, go for a hammam (steam), and take your camera to the medina, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tangier
This city is in the north west of Morocco, and is a port on the Strait of Gibraltar, meaning it’s an easy way to get in to Morocco if you fancied a roadtrip through Spain (which sounds pretty great to us), and if you’re a Bond fan, you may recognise some of the streets from ‘Spectre’. The city has gone through some major restorations to it’s landmarks, and is once again lively and bustling with business types, locals and tourists.
Fez
If you’re looking for traditional, authentic Morocco, then Fez is the place to go – from aromatic spice stalls to colourful tannery’s, intricately detailed architecture around winding back alleys, streets where you can watch artisans hard at work, and rows of minarets surrounded by fountains and market squares…this city is alive with colour and excitement, and you’ll be taking photos as you journey round every corner.
Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen: aka The Blue City, which got it’s name due to the vivid blue-washed buildings of the old town. When you visit you’ll see brightly coloured plant pots scattered around, and workshops dotted along the laneways – in our opinion, it’s one of the world’s most Instagrammable spots. But don’t take our word for it, check it out – it’s far more relaxing than the other hectic cities, it lies beneath the Rif Mountains, and tourists rarely get hassled. Ticking all the boxes, Chefchaouen!
Cultural Activities
Cook Moroccan Cuisine
You’ll have a chance to roll up your sleeves and get experimental in the kouzina — kitchen — at Home-Base as you explore the incredible variety that makes up Moroccan cuisine. Whether you’re cooking a fragrant tagine or a rich lentil soup, you’ll be giving compliments to the chef yourself in no time!
Islamic History
A chance to learn about Islam is a huge motivator for lots of international students in Morocco, and the interactive Islam lecture is something that you can only get with us. By offering a first-hand perspective on Islam in a comfortable setting, get the chance to ask questions and breakdown stereotypes.