UNE Morocco FAQ
Our campus is on the property of the American School of Tangier, a K-12 private school attended by students of all nationalities. It is in a residential neighborhood across from the Spanish Consulate, and there is a gate with security at the entrance to the property. Within a 15-to-20-minute walk are Mediterranean beaches, shops, cafes and restaurants.
The address of the campus is:
Avenue Abi Chouaib Doukkali, Tangier 90000, Morocco.
The native languages of Morocco are Moroccan Arabic (Darija) and Tamazight. In addition, most people speak French, and many speak English, which is more commonly spoken among the younger generations. In Tangier and northern Morocco, many people also speak Spanish. You may even hear people use multiple languages in one conversation.
The on-campus residence offers double rooms with an en suite bathroom, desks, and storage for your clothes.
Sheets, blankets, pillows, and a bath towel will be provided for you. You should bring a beach towel to use at the beach.
In Morocco, you will see a wide diversity in culture and clothing. You will see Moroccans, other Americans, Europeans, and people of other nationalities dressed similarly to what you see in other cosmopolitan cities. Moroccans do tend to dress up more than the average American, however, and you should bring a range of clothes from casual to casual-chic in order to dress appropriately for different occasions, from hanging out on campus to going to a nice dinner downtown.
The weather can range from quite hot to cool and rainy, so you should bring clothes similar to what you would wear during spring, summer and fall including warmer layers and a rain jacket. In addition to a nicer pair of shoes for going out, comfortable walking shoes are a must, as everything in Tangier is within walking distance to our campus.
Bathing suits are fine on campus or at the beach, but elsewhere you should wear shirts and skirts or pants over bathing suits. All students should avoid wearing overly revealing clothing in religious and historical buildings. Head scarves (hijab) are not mandatory for Moroccan women and need not be worn by UNE students unless part of their religious faith.
Yes, there are free washers and dryers right in the dormitory.
Yes, there are churches and synagogues in Tangier.
You will have UNE’s travel insurance to use if you need to see a doctor while abroad in the UNE Morocco program. The staff on campus will advise you of which clinic in Tangier to use and can also assist you with translation and making a doctor’s appointment.
Make sure you see your doctor before going abroad to address any medical concerns and ask your medical provider and your insurance about getting enough of your prescription to last the entire semester. You must bring current prescriptions in their original containers labeled with your name. Please let us know if any prescriptions require refrigeration. In addition, you should also bring enough contact lenses and supplies to last the whole semester.
You should use your U.S. bank account and your debit cards or credit cards as you would at home. Let your bank and credit card companies know that you will be abroad, and ask about any international transaction or ATM fees you may occur while abroad. Many places in Morocco accept credit cards and debit cards, and there are many ATMs for accessing cash. The currency in Morocco is the Moroccan dirham (MAD), which is the currency dispensed from the country’s ATMs.
There are beaches, cafes, restaurants and markets to explore. The local culture is vibrant, and people are welcoming and friendly. Tangier is a pedestrian-friendly city and everything is within walking distance of our campus. Taxis are also easy to find and inexpensive. You should use the same street smarts as if you were in a major U.S. city, such as not walking around by yourself (especially at night), using only marked taxis, and dressing respectfully. You can also use the sun decks and basketball courts on campus. You may not have classes on Fridays, so you can take weekend adventures to other Moroccan cities or trips across the Strait of Gibraltar to Spain and other countries in Europe.