Travelogue: Morocco

Greetings! My name is Jordan Agabin, and I recently graduated with my master’s in occupational therapy (OT). During the final year of my program, I had the incredible opportunity to travel abroad to Morocco for 10 days with a group of fellow OT and physical therapy (PT) students and faculty. Our group stayed on UNE’s Tangier Campus and with host families. It was an incredibly fruitful experience. I was able to learn more about occupational therapy practice in Morocco and connect with local community members.

Our OT and PT group spent quality time with host families while visiting Chefchaouen, also known as the “Blue City,” which is reflected in the architecture and local art. I was welcomed by my host brother for the night. It was incredible to talk with a peer around my age, exchange ideas, and learn more about the culture and what life is like growing up and living in Morocco. My entire host family welcomed me in for a lovely dinner after we explored the city.

While in Tangier, we spent time at the Fraternity Association for People with Disabilities, more commonly referred to as “The Brotherhood,” a school for young children. Acknowledging how the language barrier may limit our ability to connect with the students, my peers and faculty instructors came up with the idea to use Boomwhackers as a way to connect with students through the occupation of music. While exploring the occupation of music and play, we were able to develop a special connection with the students.

The Cave of Hercules is a historical archeological site that’s about a 20-minute drive from the UNE campus. Our group was able to explore the cave and admire its beautiful scenery inside and out. It was like something you would see on a postcard. I remember taking a moment to soak in this unbelievable vantage point. Almost eliciting a feeling of hope, the contrast of the dark cave and the fresh, bright blue water made it seem like there was light at the end of the tunnel or life beyond the cave.