This May, I took part in the Between France & Morocco study abroad program. During this time, we explored three cities in both France and Morocco, along the way undergoing immersive experiences by visiting historical and religious sites, monuments, and local buzz sites. The apex of this trip was to understand the histories of these two countries, as well as their “interactions” through colonialism and immigration. We also learned about the needs for diversity and inclusion in these two countries, and how they have been implemented over the years and today.

While traveling, I am typically accompanied by family. This trip was one of the first in which I got to experience a bit of independently navigating a new culture and space. During free days, we had the opportunity to explore the cities we were in, stretching our ability to navigate the area without knowing the language. During the trip, we tried new foods, learned new word, phrases, and cultural norms, as well us understood the present dynamic by learning the history of these country’s pasts.

One immersive experience I had on this trip was my live-in home stay experience with a local French-woman in Aix-en-Provence, France. During this experience, I knew very little French, and she knew very little English. This experience pushed me to stretch myself in a language I have no formal experience in order to get to know my host-mom. In the end, it proved valuable, as I learned a lot about what topics and phenomena are considered important in French culture, different social norms, and I also got to know her more as an individual. While this encounter was a mere 4 days, it was rich, and full of a lot of lessons. Additionally, in Morocco, we were granted the opportunity to visit a family in a village on the outskirts of Marrakech. During this time, we were given the opportunity to traditionally prepare a Moroccan staple meal: Chicken Tajin. This experience was certainly a highlight of the trip. While we couldn’t communicate directly with the host family, cooking brought us together, and we were able to experience a slice of their culture.

Traveling the world is certainly a privilege that should not be taken lightly. Whether or not travel will be incorporated into one’s future career, it is an experience we should take (if granted the opportunity/resources) to grow as an individual. In order to be culturally competent and accepting, traveling allows you to be put in situations and circumstances that you may not get in your home country. Seeing first-hand how other people eat, worship, commute, work, and enjoy life will give you a comprehensive understanding of how small you really are in this massively diverse world.