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Day 14 & 15 (4/28-4/29): So long, Morocco !
Day 14 & 15 (4/28-4/29): So long, Morocco !
Last evening we all gathered back in Casablanca traveling back from our host cities for one last day together as a cohort.
Never in my life did I imagine that I would meet 17 people of absolutely different background from all across USA and will end up finding some sort of unique connection with each and everyone of them. We were so genuinely happy to see each one of us that it turned into a mini reunion! Although exhausted, there was so much to share and talk about and it almost felt like we were all dying to see each other. I will be forever grateful for Fulbright TGC program for not only giving me an opportunity to meet with other like minded, smart and motivated educators but also for this chance to meet Meyem , Alaa, Alham and Rebecca Geffner from MACECE.
The day started with a round table debriefing session with MACECE's executive director Dr. Rebecca Geffner and Meryem Hammam.
We shared our experiences from our own host cities while answering some of the questions Maryem had for us. It was amazing to hear the variety of of roles we played in a matter of a short week. Every group had very unique experience but everyone learned something new: either about Morocco, their education system and surely about themselves.Some of the members of our group travelled to far away places in deserts with little to no infrastructure. Some people were in big cities while I was in a beautiful small town tucked in the mountainous region of Morocco. Our adjustments were different. Our learning was different. But collectively we did get to learn so much more about the country, their view on education and the teaching methods.
One thing we all felt is the fact that teachers are highly respected in this country. It was very interesting for me as it almost felt like Indian system of education to me at certain times when I was in Chefchaouen. Growing up (I went to school and college in India) I was in an education system where teachers were held in very high regard. Parents had full faith in them and parents belived that teachers have the best interest of their children. That respect was passed on to students and hence class dynamics was very different and so was the general environment of the school. I saw the same in Morocco.
Lunch as usual was amazing. After lunch we visited Dar America. Dar America is part of the U.S. Consulate General office. It offers free cultural events, has a huge library and encourages and participates in collaborative projects either in person or virtually. It was a place full of resources and we were told that they are moving very soon to a much bigger and modern facility.
Dar America offers a lot of collaborative work and I can't wait to take advantage of that.
Another last day Group photo at Dar America
Our next stop was the American Arts Center. We were lucky to take part in a calligraphy workshop and did end up learning how to write our own names. It was amazing to watch him show us the techniques of Caligraphy ! He also talked about the history and evolution of the art of calligraphy.
My name in Caligraphy
Caligraphy instruction
Our farewell dinner at Le Cabestan, overlooking the ocean. It was not easy. There were tears and hugs. JB spoke thanked MACECE on behalf of all of us. As I said goodbye to all the kind people of MACECE and the amazing cohort of friends, I had this strange feeling that this is somehow not the last time I will be in this country !! I am certainly not saying goodbye forever to the people I have met in this journey ! Maryem, Alaa, Alham : my Moroccan hosts!!! They are the true definition of what it looks like when professionalism is mixed with straight from the heart hospitality. They took care of every single details of our needs and wants as family while keeping the professinal part of our trip run as smoothly as humanly possible. I genuinely found it hard to say goodbye to them and kept giving myself the peptalk that I will surely see them again !!!
Something told me, it was not the final goodbye !
With Maryem !
With Alham
Just for fun !
I had the hardest time saying goodbye to her!
One last photo of Casablanca
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