Take a closer look at the past, present, and future relations between North Africa and France during this six-week summer program.
Start the program with a comprehensive orientation that includes preparation and guidance for homestays, exploring cultural customs and differences, health and safety overview, and walking tours of Rabat.
Build your course schedule by selecting two classes from the five offered. All courses are taught in French. Receive ongoing academic support and customized, individual French language instruction so that you can get the most out of your classes and leave Rabat feeling confident in the language.
Two-week extension: Remain in Rabat after classes conclude and volunteer with a local NGO for two weeks.
| At a Glance |
| All majors |
Language of Instruction: French |
Term: Summer (6 or 8 weeks) |
| Eligibility: 3.0 GPA |
Sophomore standing & above |
B1 starting level (3-4+ semesters of college French or equivalent) |
The program includes:
- Tuition fees for two courses
- Dedicated academic and language support
- Culture package: Excursions to Fez/Volubilis and Tangier/Chefchaouen, conversational Darija lessons, calligraphy workshop, music workshop, ceramics painting, performances: concert, theater, dance
- Housing: Stay with a hand-selected host family with all meals and weekly laundry included in board
Optional:
- 2 week extension: Stay in Rabat an additional two weeks to volunteer with a local NGO
Students also receive:
- Airport pick-up on the program start date
- On-site orientation
- Pre-departure support
- Liability insurance
- Dedicated on-site team for support in and outside of the classroom
Please visit apaparis.com for up-to-date program fees. APA awards two scholarships starting at $300 to participating students. Visit the Scholarship page for more information.
Location
The walled coastal city of Rabat sports the eclectic influence of its many inhabitants throughout history: Barbary pirates, the Berbers, Spanish Moors, and the French. Morocco’s capital, Rabat has beautiful gardens, world-class museums, traditional markets, and historic architecture that will have you planning your return trip!
About APA
APA is a boutique program provider in Paris, France with a passion to provide a first-rate study abroad experience that unites academic excellence with the beauty and richness of French and Francophone culture. For over 30 years, students from more than 80 US colleges and universities have received a personalized, immersive education abroad in Paris, France; Montpellier, France; Dakar, Senegal; and Rabat, Morocco.
Enroll in two courses from the following:
- Colonialism and Postcolonialism in Morocco: Issues and Debates: How did Moroccans experience colonial conquest and governance, and how did they attempt to formulate alternative cultural and political systems? What problems did they face in their attempts to build a postcolonial state? What remains of this entangled history between France and North Africa? Explore the Moroccan colonial and subsequent postcolonial timeline and its legacy.
- Departure and Return in Francophone Fiction in the Maghreb: Analyze the back-and-forth movement between France and the Maghreb in a corpus of Francophone novels, examining the cultural perspectives and personal trajectories of characters who experience either exile, return, or a feeling of in-between-ness (crossing).
- Economics of Development in North Africa: Dive deeper into the driving forces of this growing player in the global market.
- Gender, Sexuality and Feminism in North Africa: Why is gender and sexuality so central to questions of identity in the Maghreb? Is Islam a real factor in determining women’s position in society? Investigate the concepts, theories, and influences that affect laws and policies that regulate sexuality, gender and family relations in Morocco, the debates surrounding gay rights, prostitution, and female emancipation, with attention to both state narratives and the plurality of voices from civil society.
- Migration in the Mediterranean: Immigration has been a major factor behind the interaction of France and North Africa, fueling the alleviation of poverty, the spread of ideas, technology and labor force as well as sparking tension and conflict. France is an important receiving country, while North Africa is both a sending country and a transit country for Sub-Saharan Africans on their route to Europe. This multidisciplinary overview of the study of international migration examines state and European laws, as well as the services and institutions in charge of the administrative management of migrant workers and the role of NGOs’ development assistance.
All courses are taught in French and receive four credits. Access the syllabi on our website.
Extend Your Stay
Continue your study abroad in Rabat and extend your stay two more weeks. The additional time allows you to volunteer at a local NGO.
Customized Language Support
During pre-departure, each student takes a language evaluation and based on the results, is assigned to one of our French language professors. Each week throughout the program, students will meet with their French professor for 30 minutes and one hour separately with a teaching assistant to work on specific areas of oral and written expression and comprehension.
Get to know your host city of Rabat through a curated variety of events and activities that showcase this beautiful culture.
Cultural Events
- Weekend excursion to Fez and Volubilis
- Weekend excursion to Tangier and Chefchaouen
- Conversational Darija lessons
- Calligraphy workshop
- Music workshop
- Ceramics painting
- Performances: Concert, theater, dance
Connect and live with a local host family for a greater understanding of the Moroccan culture and lifestyle.
Each student is paired with a host family in the historic city center known as the medina. Students are provided with a private bedroom with linens, access to common areas including the kitchen, all meals and weekly laundry. All homestays are vetted to provide the best fit.
Eligibility
The program is open to students with sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate level class standing and a minimum 3.0 GPA. At least a B1 language level (approximately 3-4 or more semesters of college-level French or equivalent) will be necessary to follow courses taught in French.
Deadline
April 15
Application Process
The online application consists of submitting the following parts:
- Application form
- Personal statement
- Unofficial transcript
- French recommendation letter
Your application will only be reviewed once these pieces are received. After, a member of the APA team will contact you to schedule a short, friendly Zoom conversation conducted in French so that we may learn more about you and why you would like to study in Rabat.
Please note: Your home institution may have its own study abroad application requirements and deadlines. It is your responsibility to make sure they are all completed in the proper, timely manner.
If you have any questions, we welcome you to contact the APA US office at usa@apaparis.com or by phone at 203-883-8200. A team member will respond to you as soon as possible.
