Notes from abroad:
Experiences studying in Morocco
Jonathan Phillips
Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: News
It is kind of hard to believe. I am sitting on a train in the North African coast of Casablanca heading to Meknes. Then it is on to Ifrane where the university I am visiting this semester is located.
Al Akhawayn University attracts many international students from around the globe, and stands as a beacon of tolerance and progression among Morocco's universities. The name Al Akhawayn translates into "The Two Brothers' University;" the two brothers being the late King Hassan II of Morocco, and King Fahd of Saudi Arabia.
A plan had been in place to build a university in Morocco like this since the 1970s, but the money was just never there. Envisioned was a school that promoted multiculturalism and could give Moroccan citizens a foothold in a more global economy, by using the American style university format and establishing relationships with schools all over the globe.
But, as in most natural creation stories, it took some destruction to produce the opportunity for this School's formation. A massive oil spill off the Atlantic coast of Morocco in 1990 was also the catalyst for the schools funding.
,br>After the spill, much pollution was spreading toward the Moroccan coast, and King Fahd pledged $50 million to the Kingdom of Morocco for the cleanup. It was soon realized however that the pollution was contained in the Atlantic and never reached the Moroccan coast significantly.
Rather, the oil remains out of sight and mind polluting the bottom of the Atlantic somewhere close by Morocco still today. It is uncustomary to return gifts in this part of the world so the two rulers decided to use the money to build a university in Morocco; the old plans were drawn up and Al Akhawayn was born.
King Hassan II took much pride in his achievement of the formation of this progressive and cultural school, believing that it would usher in a new age in Moroccan society in an increasingly global world. The current King of Morocco (since 1999), his majesty King Muhammad VI, continues the international mission of the university and receives a report every year as the honorary president of the school.
This is the short creation story of the school I am writing to you from abroad in Middle Eastern Africa. This school in the resort town of Ifrane and the broader Kingdom of Morocco are the setting from which I will offer a student perspective as I attend Al Akhawayn University and travel within and outside of the country. With limited space in a column this is not a record of events or experiences, but will focus rather on my opinions and perspectives of a particular event or issue.
I've been given the opportunity of a life time for an undergraduate student. When I came back to school Jan. 2007 after spending three and a half years away from college, I wouldn't have believed that three years later I would be visiting North Africa for a semester studying at the very best school in the Kingdom of Morocco. The students I have talked with insist that Al Akhawayn is the only school in the country where a job is guaranteed upon graduation.
In addition, I am also writing a more comprehensive account of my time here in Morocco in the form of a blog that is posted every Friday. Readers can access the blog from the Shawnee State University CIPA web site, or the New Boston Middle school's website. If readers want to learn more about my time getting familiar with Moroccan cuisine, culture, and the places I visit, they can check out my blog. it can be found it http://www.shawnee.edu/off/cipa/blog/blog.html.
Editor's note: Jonathan Phillips' second missive appears on the Chronicle web site at www.ssuchronicle.com.
Al Akhawayn University attracts many international students from around the globe, and stands as a beacon of tolerance and progression among Morocco's universities. The name Al Akhawayn translates into "The Two Brothers' University;" the two brothers being the late King Hassan II of Morocco, and King Fahd of Saudi Arabia.
A plan had been in place to build a university in Morocco like this since the 1970s, but the money was just never there. Envisioned was a school that promoted multiculturalism and could give Moroccan citizens a foothold in a more global economy, by using the American style university format and establishing relationships with schools all over the globe.
But, as in most natural creation stories, it took some destruction to produce the opportunity for this School's formation. A massive oil spill off the Atlantic coast of Morocco in 1990 was also the catalyst for the schools funding.
,br>After the spill, much pollution was spreading toward the Moroccan coast, and King Fahd pledged $50 million to the Kingdom of Morocco for the cleanup. It was soon realized however that the pollution was contained in the Atlantic and never reached the Moroccan coast significantly.
Rather, the oil remains out of sight and mind polluting the bottom of the Atlantic somewhere close by Morocco still today. It is uncustomary to return gifts in this part of the world so the two rulers decided to use the money to build a university in Morocco; the old plans were drawn up and Al Akhawayn was born.
King Hassan II took much pride in his achievement of the formation of this progressive and cultural school, believing that it would usher in a new age in Moroccan society in an increasingly global world. The current King of Morocco (since 1999), his majesty King Muhammad VI, continues the international mission of the university and receives a report every year as the honorary president of the school.
This is the short creation story of the school I am writing to you from abroad in Middle Eastern Africa. This school in the resort town of Ifrane and the broader Kingdom of Morocco are the setting from which I will offer a student perspective as I attend Al Akhawayn University and travel within and outside of the country. With limited space in a column this is not a record of events or experiences, but will focus rather on my opinions and perspectives of a particular event or issue.
I've been given the opportunity of a life time for an undergraduate student. When I came back to school Jan. 2007 after spending three and a half years away from college, I wouldn't have believed that three years later I would be visiting North Africa for a semester studying at the very best school in the Kingdom of Morocco. The students I have talked with insist that Al Akhawayn is the only school in the country where a job is guaranteed upon graduation.
In addition, I am also writing a more comprehensive account of my time here in Morocco in the form of a blog that is posted every Friday. Readers can access the blog from the Shawnee State University CIPA web site, or the New Boston Middle school's website. If readers want to learn more about my time getting familiar with Moroccan cuisine, culture, and the places I visit, they can check out my blog. it can be found it http://www.shawnee.edu/off/cipa/blog/blog.html.
Editor's note: Jonathan Phillips' second missive appears on the Chronicle web site at www.ssuchronicle.com.
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