Since Chile is in the southern hemisphere, summer occurs between December and March and the coolest months are May through August. Santiago’s climate is one with well-defined seasons. Summer months are dry and hot with temperatures between 80 and 90 degrees during the day. While winter is not harsh (temperatures in Santiago average 50 degrees during the day, with some colder days and generally cold nights), the absence of central heating in Chile makes it COLD! Sitting in unheated classrooms and homes can be uncomfortable, so be sure to pack layers. The winter months tend to be rainy with most...

The city of Santiago wears the identities of Chile’s past and present. It is the country’s historic center, founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1541. Its grid layout and 17th- and 18th-century churches and public buildings are evidence of its colonial past. It also functions as the country’s ultra-modern economic and political capital with thriving business centers, pedestrian malls, and a clean, efficient subway system for its population of approximately seven million. The downtown features many lovely public spaces, including Santa Lucía Hill, the Parque Metropolitano atop San Cristóbal...

Throughout your stay in Rabat, you will have a mailbox at the IES Abroad Center. Do not send mail to your housing placement. All mail should be sent to the following address: Your name c/o IES Abroad Rabat 89, Avenue Moulay Ismail Rabat-Hassan, Morocco 10006 To send packages from the United States to Morocco, the sender must list the value of the item(s) in the package. It is important to make clear that the contents are for private use and will return with you to the United States. The most convenient and least expensive way is to ship items in sturdy cardboard boxes through the U.S. Postal...

Making friends in the local community is often a main priority for students. It’s not always easy to meet people, especially people your own age—doing so will likely require initiative on your part and also courage and perseverance. Never hesitate to ask the staff at the Center for guidance—they will be glad to help you! Think about how you get involved at your home campus and seek out opportunities to do something similar while abroad—this is just one ways you might meet people. Here are some examples of how previous students got involved in the local community: Find a sports club or take a...

All amounts listed below are in the local Moroccan currency, Moroccan Dirham (MAD): Food & Drink Breakfast at a restaurant 30 Lunch at a restaurant 50 Dinner at a restaurant 60 Soft drink 18 Coffee 15 Meal at a university dining facility 60 Housing Linens (if not included in housing option) 200 Personal Necessity Toiletries per week 50 Laundry per week 30 Social Activity & Entertainment Movie 50 Theater performance 50-250 Museum entry fee 20 Fitness club membership per week 75-300 Dance club cover charge 200 Communication Internet use at a cyber café per hour 10 Pre-paid International Calling...

Currency The Moroccan monetary unit is the Dirham (MAD or DH). The dirham is subdivided into 100 centimes. The centime is the smallest unit of currency. Coins are denominated in 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, as well as 1dh, 2dh, 5dh, and 10dh. Dirham bills are available in 20dh, 50dh, 100dh and 200dh. Credit cards and debit cards are accepted in most ATMs and some larger stores/restaurants in Morocco. However, most transactions are made in cash. Visit www.xe.com or www.oanda.com for current exchange rates. Handling Money Abroad Since the Moroccan Dirham is a closed currency, you will have to wait to...

Public Transportation Most students get around on foot or by taxi. The "petit taxi" is a small car used for getting around the city. The color of the petit taxi varies from one city to another. The color is red in Fez, blue in Rabat, yellow in Sale. Up to 3 passengers can fit in a petit taxi. At night, there is a 50% surcharge added to the price displayed on the meter. The trip from the medina to the IES Abroad Center should cost around 10 MAD. A grand taxi is usually a white Mercedes used for city to city travel and also inside of the city of Rabat. Up to six passengers, in addition to the...

Rabat enjoys a relatively mild climate year-round due to its location on the Atlantic Ocean. However, it can become quite hot and dry in the summer months and chilly and rainy in the winter. Rain is common between November and March, so it is advisable to bring rain gear. Temperatures fluctuate between day and night; it is advisable to bring a warm sweater, and a heavy coat for when temperatures drop the most. In addition, central heating and insulation are not common in Morocco, so bring warm clothing for chilly nights.

Located at the mouth of the Bouregreg River on the Atlantic Ocean, Rabat was once a prime port location due to its close proximity to Europe and other parts of Africa. Walking through the quiet streets, it is hard to imagine that the city was controlled by pirates for two centuries. Yet, the city’s history is alive in its architecture, culture, and people, whose ancestors from the Middle East, Europe, and other parts of Africa, laid claim to the city over the years. Rabat is therefore a complex cosmopolitan mix of European modernism with North African and Islamic tradition. Although open to...

Morocco operates on a different voltage than the United States. You will need a transformer and an adapter to use U.S. appliances in Morocco. It is easier to purchase small appliances (e.g. iron, hair dryer) upon arrival in Morocco. Most laptops have a built-in transformer; however, you will likely need to purchase an adapter because the plugs in Morocco are shaped differently than in the United States. You can easily purchase travel adaptors at a local pharmacy or grocery store. We urge you to conduct some research on adaptors, converters, and transformers for Morocco to find out what you...