They say you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take, and the experience to visit another country, let alone the continent of Africa, was an opportunity I was happy to capitalize on. There were some unknowns and anxieties surrounding the cultural climate, and that was only heightened as we received an email saying to take cautionary measures against the violence that was being spread against LGBTQ people in Morocco. However, this message was not indicative of the amazing and magical experience that my friends in Lee Business School's Global Entrepreneurship Experience program and I would have.
Moroccan Hospitality
The people were refreshingly pleasant and extremely hospitable. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by our tour guide, Mohammed, a Moroccan angel who took care of us every step of the way. His charm and wit are only surpassed by his extensive knowledge of Morocco, which is astronomically greater than my knowledge of America!
He entertained us on our bus rides with anecdotal information and statistics to ensure we made the most of our foreign adventures. He helped us with translations, taught us new phrases, helped us haggle, and made us feel warmly welcomed throughout our trip. There is too much to be said about this phenomenal human being, but a common sentiment to sum our feelings would be that he will be deeply missed and has a home here in Vegas should he choose to visit.
The cities were beautiful and rich with culture. There were plenty of picturesque moments, and my camera roll is probably half-filled solely from pictures from Morocco.
The Lesson Learned: The locals were happy to take pictures with us, but we learned quickly that asking for permission for pictures is a huge part of the culture in Morocco. Another part of the culture is tipping. We learned that even bathroom attendants are supposed to be tipped. You do not need to tip a lot, especially since American money goes a long way in Morocco, but it is greatly appreciated.
Experiencing the Culture
Our days traveling through the cities were met with additional guides who gave us further insights on the architecture, businesses, and culture of the Moroccan people.
The housing was made with the weather in mind as it was cooler downstairs to withstand blistering summers and warmer upstairs for comfort from the mild conditions. Doors had the hand of Fatima on them which was a superstitious tradition to ward off evil spirits or “bad vibes.”
The businesses we visited were primarily locally owned and were open to haggling, which is not something that is customary in America. We visited a tannery, multiple stores that manufactured and sold silver products, stores that specialized in weaving, stores that specialized in ceramic products, stores that sold physical wellness products, and so much more.
The Lesson Learned: Although Morocco is thought of as an Islamic country where people believe women do not have as much privilege, this was certainly not the case in our experiences. There were many places that were women-owned or benefited women in other ways. We visited a store that was completely run by women who trained people to cook local cuisine and gave back to the community through philanthropic generosity.
A Taste of Something Different
Speaking of food, there were many different authentic cuisines that we indulged in. From tagine to “Moroccan whiskey” (which is essentially the best mint tea you will ever have), there were an abundance of flavors that did not disappoint. The best part was the majority of these dining experiences were modestly priced including the multiple course meals.
For me, the highlight of the trip was our visit to the Sahara. We were mesmerized by the night sky, which was full of stars, exhilarated by the unique opportunity to ride camels, and enjoyed dancing with the locals who played traditional music for us while allowing us to play with their drums. We also had plenty of picture opportunities and were photographed by the helpful and friendly locals to our hearts content.
Applying the Lessons Learned
Of course, I would be remiss if I did not mention that the joys and pleasantries I experienced in Morocco would not have been possible without the wonderful people who were by my side through it all. Great views, great customs, and great vibes were what curated the exemplary Moroccan experience.
I am forever grateful for being a part of something bigger than me and will never forget the precious moments that have helped me grow and that have opened my eyes to the many wonders that our beautiful planet has to offer.
ҳ| 鶹ýӳ the Global Entrepreneurship Experience
Lee Business School’s Global Entrepreneurship program is a four-year curriculum that teaches students of any discipline the necessary skills in creating and scaling a business.
