Moroccan Studies

Up until now, most of the school work involved with the program has been through classes and lectures, but now we're beginning to step outside the box.  As part of the SIT program, the last month is dedicated solely to research that the student conducts (ISP), which is absolutely fantastic.  The level of independence is surprising after following a rigid academic schedule and staying within a homestay family, and most certainly is welcome.  However, with all the time, there also seems to be no time to waste.  Three weeks simultaneously feels like an eternity and not nearly enough time, especially for figuring out the who, how, where, and what of a primary source research project. 

So what on earth would I want to study during my brief stay in Morocco?  Why children in urban areas, like Rabat and its sister city, Sale, stop going to school or don't finish their education.  After a week and a half of attempting to contact various people and organizations relating to my project, I finally have an adviser, and I believe I will be teaching English at an organization in Sale.  I am, hopefully, meeting with them tomorrow to actually see the center and begin my two-week volunteer position as an English teacher for high school-age students.  It will mostly be conversations with the students, so I imagine there will be plenty of time to talk to them about what concerns my research as well as the everyday things teenagers love to talk about.

Another aspect of my ISP I've mentioned is living away from my homestay family, and while that does involve a great deal of freedom, it also means I need to learn how to cook the Moroccan way very quickly.  I have definitely mastered the Moroccan mint tea (I picked that up as soon as I could), but more substantial meals are a little more of a mystery.  Tonight I attempted to decode some of that mystery by making Zalook, a tasty mushy mixture of eggplant and tomatoes.  Now I know what the non-eggplant lovers are thinking: "ewwwwww!" but I don't like eggplant either and this is spectacular!  You can find the recipe we used here, and while most Moroccans consider it a "salad", it was very good on some penne and eaten as the main course.  Along with some Moroccan tea and deviled eggs, it was an overall excellent meal!  I'll keep you posted on any other interesting/tasty recipes that I happen to come across and have success with in my little Moroccan kitchen.