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TANGIER, Morocco

Health, Wellness and Occupational Studies students visit and contribute services in Morocco

Five UNE students in the Health, Wellness and Occupational Studies (HWOS) program recently visited several health and human services agencies in Morocco as part of a course in occupational science taught by Adjunct Professor Said Nafai, M.S., OTR/L, CLT. Nafai, who has dual-citizenship in Morocco and the U.S., is working to establish the profession of occupational therapy in Morocco. 

The course and its service learning component were developed by Kathryn M. Loukas, OTD, M.S., OTR/L, FAOTA, UNE clinical professor of occupational therapy, during her Fall 2013 Sabbatical in Morocco. 

The five students—Victoria Mone '17, Madison Van Cleave '17, Meghan McNierney '16, Ally Deflumeri '15 and Nicole Allen '15—volunteered to feed and play with babies in La Creche orphanage in Tangier.

They also visited Arrazi Mental Hospital in Sale, Morocco, where they met Jallal Toufiq, who is the hospital director and a pioneer in mental health treatment worldwide. Toufiq is a vocal proponent of occupational therapy inclusion in mental health treatment. Students received hand bracelets that were made by patients as gifts.

The students also volunteered in the only nursing home in the city of Kenitra, and visited a residence of displaced orphan girls.

Learn more about Nafai’s work.  

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.