Friends in Far Places

Over Spring Break, two groups of Upper School students and faculty participated in Global Education trips. One group traveled to Morocco, while another explored Colombia.

Friends Arabic teacher and Morocco trip leader Nadim Bawalsa reflected on his trip:

 

Needless to say, Morocco is absolutely stunning. Each day, we were captivated by the colorful landscapes, the layers of history, and the delicious flavors we explored. But mostly, we were humbled by the deep kindness of everyone we met. We felt this most in our home-stays and during our different activities with local volunteer groups and cooperatives. Allow me to offer some highlights that speak to these experiences.

 

Our final dinner in Rabat included a musical performance where the students got to celebrate with their host parents and siblings in song and dance wearing the traditional dresses and robes that their hosts gifted them. I had never seen them so excited, so rhythmic! The next day, bidding Rabat farewell, the students and their families hugged one another tightly, showered each other with kisses on each cheek, and shed bittersweet tears. We were so thrilled the home-stay experience was so enriching and heartfelt.

 

In Sale, Rabat's sister city, we met with volunteers from the Beladi NGO, dedicated to serving economically disadvantaged communities with a range of services. Despite the language barriers, it was truly moving to see the students instantly make friends with these youth using Arabic and French, but mostly, using kind smiles and  gestures. They put on hilarious skits that had us all laughing for days. Watching these interactions warms the heart. 

 

In Aghmat, a village outside Marrakesh with a women's cooperative dedicated to empowering local women, the students learned about a different kind of feminism that faces its own challenges but perseveres nonetheless. They heard inspiring stories about courage and hard work, and learned to understand the world through the eyes of individuals who identify as Muslim Moroccan women. 

 

In Boulaouane, a tiny Amazigh (the preferred local term for Berber) village in the Atlas Mountains, we learned the ancient ways of the Amazigh, including collecting water from the village well, preparing Tajeen, baking bread, and making tea. We had meaningful conversations about colonialism, nationalism, language, and the preservation of Amazigh culture. To appreciate all of these experiences, we took time to worship in silence under olive trees and peach blossoms with the Atlas Mountains as our foreground. Truly, these moments were unforgettable.  

 

In addition to these special moments with Moroccans, we continued to explore the rich history and diverse culture of the country. In Rabat, the students took a calligraphy workshop where they wrote their names and the opening words of the Quran on wooden boards using traditional inks and tools. We simulated a madrasa (an Islamic school) and sang gentle prayers. We couldn't imagine a more meaningful way to put into practice the Arabic language. 

 

We visited Fes, an ancient city built into a valley in the Middle Atlas Mountains with some of the world's oldest markets and crafts, including dying leather, weaving, and pottery making. In Fes, we also caught an incredible sunset atop a mountain that overlooks the city. The students were so moved, they spontaneously ran up a hill to take it all in. This moment was one of our most memorable.

 

We visited Marrakesh, the "Red City" and "Gate to the Sahara" that sits at the edge of the majestic, snow-covered Atlas Mountains. Walking through its red alleyways, sitting in its palatial gardens, and squeezing our way through its bustling Jemaa el-Fnaa market, we imagined that we were merchants from far off places embarking on a caravan journey through the Sahara. The kids were thrilled to be able to navigate this city and to purchase gifts including fabrics, argon oils, indigenous spices, Moroccan teas, and more from a variety of markets. 

 

Joseph and I were so ecstatic to see the kids engage daily with everything the country and its people had to offer. Pushing through to the very end despite feeling tired and at times homesick, the students made the most of every minute of our trip. It was nothing short of inspiring. To recognize this, during our closing ceremony in Casablanca, Joseph and I spoke about each student's unique contributions to our collective experience and then gifted each of them a personalized bookmark with an image from Morocco. The students were so moved, each of them got up to hug us and each another. One of our Envoys partners, Mason, and with tears streaming down his face, said during the ceremony: "This trip was not at all what I expected." We believe the students feel the same. 

 

Friends, we are so grateful to have been able to be with our students in an Arabic-speaking context. We are confident that the students have gained tremendously from this experience, both linguistically and as global citizens, and we look forward to the conversations we will all have as a community once back to school next week.