Student Feedback
I have a new awareness that the best self-reflection and personal growth comes from challenging one´s own perceptions.Matt Dallos, Brown University / Sweet Briar in Seville
The vast majority of our over 14,000 participants were strongly moved by their Morocco Exchange experiences. They were deeply touched by the generosity of Moroccan families; inspired by the thoughtfulness of Moroccan graduates; captivated by the humour and aliveness of Moroccan peers; encouraged by Moroccan women projects; and empowered and challenged to widen their views of future choices by the experiences of Peace Corps volunteers and Fulbright scholars living in the country.
This trip made me realize we are not just US citizens, but citizens of the world, we are all human.Cammy Crane, Davidson College / Central in Granada
A number of our participants were so deeply impacted by our programs that they choose to live in Morocco as Peace Corps volunteers or Fulbright scholars. Read the inspiring stories of Colleen and Matthew below.
Colleen Daley – Peace Corps volunteer
Colleen Daley travelled with one of our Morocco Exchange programmes and was so deeply moved by the people and country that she decided to serve as a Peace Corps volunteer, running a youth project in the High Atlas mountains.
After travelling with Morocco Exchange, Colleeen said “I want this event to be a true watershed in my life… I know that I am not done with Morocco.”
Three years later when serving as a Peace Corps volunteer, “When I went to Morocco with Morocco Exchange, the country and the experience made a permanent imprint on my heart. So permanent, in fact, that I requested Morocco immediately upon applying for Peace Corps. Morocco Exchange and their tremendous program brought us in contact with average Moroccans, something you can’t find as an unguided tourist. It was that famous Moroccan hospitality and warmth – many times apparent despite obstacles I would consider insurmountable – that truly transformed my life, then and now, and I can’t thank Morocco Exchange enough for the opportunity they gave me.”
Morocco Exchange and their tremendous program brought us in contact with average Moroccans… I can’t thank Morocco Exchange enough for the opportunity they gave me.Colleen Daley, PCV Youth Development, Tahannoute, High Atlas
Matthew Murphy, Fulbright scholar
Matthew Murphy traveled with Morocco Exchange and was so impacted that he moved to Morocco as a Fulbright scholar.
I have a very special history with Morocco Exchange and I can honestly say that my experience on my trip has drastically altered the trajectory of my life in an incredible way. When I was participating in a study abroad programme in Granada, Spain I decided to embark on the Morocco Exchange adventure. The experience of being in Morocco itself was incredible but I made an instant connection with several of the Moroccans who I met on the trip during a medina visit arranged by MoEx. After the programme, I returned to Spain convinced that I needed to return to Morocco and travel independently.
The experience on my trip has drastically altered the trajectory of my life in an incredible way.Matthew Murphy
I returned to college in the States to finish my last year of studies and I had planned on starting medical school immediately after finishing my undergraduate studies. However, after spending a semester in Spain and traveling to Morocco, I decided to take time to travel, broaden my interest within medicine to include a more international element and, more specifically, to return to Morocco for a more in-depth experience.
I became Fulbrighter living in Rabat, Morocco studying French and Arabic and working on a public health research project. Morocco Exchange not only provided a unique and compelling perspective on Moroccan culture but also provided a foundation from which I was able to continue exploring the country and build on my own interests in medicine. This incredible experience influenced my life, my studies and future career as a physician.
