Yalla! I'm Ready for Morocco!

Camille Smith
January 6, 2016

With my flight to Morocco not departing until the first of February and my classes in Chicago having finished mid-December, Iā€™ve had WAY too much time to myself here in small-town Ohio. I was fortunate enough to have opportunities to travel while I was growing up here, but ever since I moved off to college I can barely stay put.

But really, can you blame me? The other day I told a nurse at my appointment for travel shots that I was going to Morocco for the semester, and she told me (and I quote) to ā€œkeep an eye out for ISIS.ā€ First of all, I donā€™t even know what ā€œkeeping an eye out for ISISā€ entails. Secondly, I got really frustrated. This wasnā€™t the first time Iā€™d received a comment like this, and I knew it wouldnā€™t be the last. I feel guilty for dodging the question when people ask where Iā€™m going and what Iā€™m studying when they hear Iā€™m going abroad. Itā€™s not because Iā€™m ashamed, but rather Iā€™m running out of patience. I donā€™t know how many more times I can smile and nod politely while people (normally adults superior to me in some way shape or form) say horribly racist and bigoted things to me.

Itā€™s true that people fear the things they donā€™t understand, and itā€™s terribly upsetting. The reality is that these people likely wonā€™t go anywhere outside of their bubbles. I know not everyone is afforded the opportunity to study abroad for a semester, so, if anything, I want to be able to show people through my blog, stories, photos, etc. what other cultures have to offer and why they shouldnā€™t be feared.

Anyway, I digress, back to my point about me being all over the place 24/7.

This past year I have called many places home: my freshman dorm at Loyola in the spring, my auntā€™s house in Chicago for a month as I was transitioning from the end of the semester to summer, my host momā€™s apartment in Aix-en-Provence, France, my childhood home in Ohio with my parents for the short sporadic breaks during which I kindly reminded them that I was indeed still alive, and my sophomore dorm during fall semester back at Loyola. Soon, I can add my Moroccan host family to the list. Clearly, Iā€™m not content without complete and utter (organized) chaos in my life. Itā€™s refreshing after living in the same farm town for 18 years.

Even for this month-and-a-half-long break Iā€™ve hardly sat still. As soon as finals ended, I packed up my bags (ha, actually it was one tiny backpack because Iā€™m cheap and fly budget airlines that charge for anything other than a personal item) and I made my first trip out to the Rockies. My good friend from Loyola and her wonderful family hosted me for a week in Salt Lake City, Utah. Then, after a nice quiet Christmas at home in Ohio (the first time Iā€™d been home in months since the last time I had first been home in months), I packed right back up for Washington D.C. to attend a conference and Chicago to say goodbyes to my friends and family there.

And as all of this happened, a New Year, 2016, and a new age, 20, were handed to me. And with these changes, I reflected on what I think and hope this year will hold.

I didnā€™t sign up to spend a semester in Rabat, Morocco because I think itā€™ll be easy or vacation time. As much as I loved my summer studying in France, I craved something more challenging. Iā€™m fully ready and capable of being pushed out of my comfort zone. Ever since I (kind of spontaneously) signed up for this upcoming semester Iā€™ve gone through waves of ā€œOMG THIS IS GOING TO BE THE BEST SEMESTER OF MY LIFEā€ and ā€œWHAT ON EARTH WAS I THINKING Iā€™M NOT MENTALLY PREPARED FOR THIS.ā€ I think both are accurate. And as crazy as it may sound, Iā€™m excited to be scared, lost, and upset (easy for me to say now, stay tuned for my future blog post titled Scared, Lost, Upset and HATING Itā€”kiddingā€¦ sort of) But really, not to sound clichĆ© and pseudo-inspirational but itā€™s true that the most enriching experiences make you uncomfortable. Itā€™s because they challenge your identity and worldview. Not much of value comes easily.

I do have a few concerns before this all begins:

How far will my French and one semester of Arabic take me?

How do I dress in a way thatā€™s both culturally appropriate and doesnā€™t have me drenched in sweat once it reaches 90+ degrees?

Is my 2-hour layover in Paris long enough to hunt down a CafƩ Paul and order at least 10 pain au chocolats to satisfy my cravings for the past 6 months?

 

The world will someday know.

So with that, Morocco, Iā€™m ready.

Thanks for sticking with me through this lengthy first post. I promise much more exciting content and many adventures are to come!

Letā€™s go! Yalla!

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Camille Smith

<p>Assalamu Alaikum, Bonjour, Hello! I&#39;m Camille and I&#39;m currently in my second year studying Political Science and International Studies at Loyola University Chicago. I&#39;m thrilled to be spending my semester in Rabat, Morocco and hope you all enjoy hearing about my journey! Expect bad puns and lots of pictures of food.</p>

Destination:
Home University:
Loyola University Chicago
Major:
International Studies
Political Science
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