Morocco & Spain Study Tour

Trip Overview

The aim of the Morocco / Spain Study Tour is to investigate Arabic and Islamic cultural and linguistic influences on cultural identity. In Morocco, we will explore Arabic identity and language use / dialect; in Spain, we will question the extent to which aspects of Islamic and Jewish culture continue to be an influence on Spain’s contemporary Catholic/European identity.

As this is a study tour (not a tourist vacation), each evening will be spent debriefing the day and discussing the focus questions and observations. The expectation is that you are engaging in learning through experiencing things in person and that you will produce an outcome which you will share with others upon return.

Historical Context

Upon the Prophet Mohammad’s death in 632 CE, a series of military conquests brought Arab culture, language, and Islam to the bedouin tribes of the region in Northwestern Africa. The Umayyad Caliphate which dominated from Damascus, Syria was the center of Islamic culture and learning and produced great works of knowledge that spread with the conquests. By the late 8th century, the region around Northern Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia were strongholds of Arabic and Islamic culture and learning. The early indigenous culture blended with Arabic culture and we may not be able to distinguish one from the other in the places and communities we encounter.

Colonization by France and Spain has also left its mark on Moroccan language and culture. Portions of northern Morocco became part of ‘Spanish Morocco’ and much of the rest was under French control. Thus French, not English, is commonly spoken in the capital city, Rabat. You will notice visible signs such as European ‘cafe culture’ blending with Muslim culture. Northern cities such as Chefchaouen have Muslim Spanish influence as the Muslims from Spain who fled persecution formed these cities. You will notice architectural and cultural similarities between southern Spain and northern Morocco.

The Andalusia region in Spain is known for its visible mix of Christian, Jewish, and Islamic heritage. The Catholic Romans and Visigoths, and the Muslim Umayyads all left their mark in the form of now-iconic landmarks and traditions that we will visit.

In 711, a Muslim general named Tariq Ibn Ziyad and several thousand Berber warriors crossed the narrow strait between Morocco and Spain. This was the beginning of Muslim Spain. During the approximately 700 years of Islamic rule in Southern Spain, known as Andalusia (or Al-Andalus), the concept of “Convivencia” was born - the idea that people from diverse faiths and cultures should live together peacefully and respect each other’s customs. This led to a kind of multiculturalism that can be seen in the architecture of churches and mosques, the flavors of the food, the roots of common Spanish phrases, and the rhythm of the flamenco dance.

Subsequently, the Spanish Inquisition and its persecution of Jews and Muslims, and the conquest of Spain by Catholic rulers (the Reconquista) established Spain’s identity as one that is Catholic and European. Between 1609 and 1614, King Philip III ordered the expulsion of the entire Muslim population from the territory (this is how Chefchaoen came to be). Thus Spain’s cultural identity today is tied to Catholicism and its links to Europe rather than its links to its Islamic past and its colonial influence in Central and South America are rooted in this.

Meet the Chaperones!

Emad Eldigwy

Born and raised in Cairo, Egypt, Emad graduated from Ain Shams University, faculty of commerce, with a major in accounting. He taught Arabic and Middle Eastern studies at the Metropolitan Learning Center Magnet School in Bloomfield, Connecticut from 2002-2005. He then joined the Alternate Route to Certification program and graduated in May of 2006 with a teaching certification in world languages. Emad earned his M.Ed. in World Language Instruction from Concordia College in 2015. He was also the Dean of the Concordia College Arabic Village from 2009-2017. Emad holds a third degree black belt in Judo and was the heavy weight champion of Egypt, Africa, and the Middle East for 12 years. He was on the 1988 Egyptian Olympic team in Seoul, South Korea, and he won 5 gold medals in all North East Championships here in the USA.

Sadhana Bilodeau

Sadhana Bilodeau was born in Pune, India. She spent her childhood in the sands of Zaria, the mountains of Arusha, the coast of Georgetown, and the carnival and calypso of Port-of-Spain. Sadhana spent her childhood in six countries: India, Nigeria, Great Britain, Guyana, Trinidad, and Tanzania. As a teen, she decided to return to India for her undergrad degree. She earned her B.A. degree in Political Science and Economics from the University of Delhi, India and has an M.S. in Information Science from Pratt Institute. She spent her early career working at several corporations before becoming a teacher. At CGS, Sadhana enjoys organizing and chaperoning field trips to places both local and abroad, such as India and Cambodia. She enjoys spending her free time going on long walks with her husband and her dog Babuji.

Jennifer Spero

Jennifer Spero grew up just outside of Chicago, Illinois (for real, not in like, Bolingbrook) and has called Connecticut home for the last twenty years. Her travel bug has taken her throughout New England and parts of the west coast, though it has been far too many years since she lived abroad and traveled western Europe. She has experience teaching English and Communications at both the high school and college level. She is also a Connecticut Writing Project - Fairfield fellow and has participated in numerous workshops across New England with a focus on writing to learn what we know and think. Jennifer earned her B.A. in English from Loyola University Chicago with a concentration in Creative Writing, an M.A. in English Education from New York University, and her 092 Certificate in Educational Leadership from Sacred Heart University. Jennifer includes mountain biking, climbing, running, yoga, and parenting three spectacular kids in her quiver of activities, excelling at none and reveling in them all.

Michael Carter

Michael began traveling at a very young age and made his first trip abroad when 14 months old. He has traveled extensively in Asia, Africa, South America and Europe. When Michael was 13, he circumnavigated the globe on Semester at Sea, a “floating university”, where he visited 12 different countries, including Japan, Cuba, Kenya, India, China, South Africa, and Malaysia. Michael received a BA in History from Southern Connecticut State University and an MS in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Connecticut NEAG School of Education. Michael still loves to travel and he hopes to pass on his passion for international education, history and film to his students. Michael coaches lacrosse at BMHS, plays the drums, and loves Arsenal Football Club, Radiohead and the Grateful Dead. Most of all, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two beautiful sons, Miles and Wes...and Sean Sensai

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