Winter in Morocco

Details and Cost

About the Program

Spend two weeks in Morocco immersing yourself in Arabic language, literature, and Moroccan culture. Students will begin with 2 days of online pre-departure courses and then travel with SBU faculty to Morocco for in-person classes and site visits.

Program Highlights:

Daily coursework on Arabic Language & Culture and Moroccan Culture through Literature
Cultural site visits to historic medinas, madrasas, museums, and souks
Guided academic tours of Fez and day trips to Meknes and Rabat
Learn about Morocco’s history, architecture, religious traditions, and artisan crafts
Enjoy traditional Moroccan meals

*Excursions subject to change

Location	Fez, Morocco
Program Type	Faculty-Led Program
Program Term	Winter
Program Dates	Winter 2026: TBA: 2 days of online courses prior to departure January 3: Flight to Morocco January 17: Return to New York
Language of Instruction	English
Budget	View Budget
Living Arrangements	Hotel-style accommodations
Additional Information	Faculty-Led study abroad programs may require group travel. Please reach out to your IAP Coordinator prior to making any travel arrangements.

Program Housing Statement: Stony Brook University is required to comply with the housing policies of the host country, partner institution and/or hotel/hostel. These policies may include requirements such as sex-based housing placement.

Requirements

GPA	2.0 or higher
Application Deadline	Oct. 1

Candidates may be interviewed to determine their qualifications for participating and representing Stony Brook University abroad.

Academic Information
Course Information

Participants will register for a total of 3 credits:
- AFH 329: Pan-African Literature I (GLO, HFA+)
Students in the Honors College will register in HON 401: Global Issues (DIV, GLO)

This course invites students to spend a semester abroad using their skills as critical readers and writers by reading and responding to a literary text by Moroccan French writer Tahar Ben Jelloun. The translator from French, Rita Nezami, will teach the novel to focus mainly on Moroccan culture and the universal themes of racism, migration, and injustice. Students will read the book, analyze the storyline, themes, and characters, have discussions, and write one paper (five pages) at the end of the three weeks on what they have learned about Moroccan culture and on racism toward Black people in Morocco, racial injustice, illegal immigration, and deportation. Students will also focus on the universal themes of love, friendship, respect, the human condition and relationships, and child disability to understand how they are dealt with in Moroccan culture and society. Students will do some research on the Goncourt Prize-winning author Tahar Ben Jelloun, whose focus in all his works is always urgent global issues. Students will read an interview with Ben Jelloun that was published in The New Yorker. Also, students will read a collection of short stories, The Director and Other Stories from Morocco by another Moroccan author, Leila Abouzei.

Academic Policies
- Credits earned on this program will calculate toward a student's GPA at Stony Brook University. Non-SBU students are advised to check their home university policy on grade and credit transfer.
- Students following the Stony Brook Curriculum (SBC) may request for GLO and EXP+ in addition to requirements fulfilled by their coursework.