Q&A: Frequently Asked Questions for Peace Corps Morocco Trainees

Whether you have questions about what to bring or what daily life might look like at site, the answer is probably here!

There is also a lot of great information under For Applicants & Future Trainees and For Americans!

1) Packing Advice

Where can we find packing lists?

• The Peace Corps provides a packing list, but volunteers have also put together their own​:
  • ​PCVs Jacquie & Dylan
  • PCV Beth
  • ​PCV Tiffany
  • PCV Lindsay
  • PCV Abbey​ ​

Can we buy blankets at PST? Or do we NEED to bring a sleeping bag? *I have a sleeping pad

• Jacob: The Moroccan families you will be living with will have no end of blankets to give you. But yes, bring a sleeping bag. Even if you don’t use it during PST, it’ll be nice to have if you end up in the Atlas Mountains for final site. It’s also indispensable when you go visit other PCVs who will not have the same abundance of blankets to share (where a sleeping pad is an especially wonderful bonus).
• Jacquie: Just a note that not all PCVs had a plethora of blankets with host families.
• Shalean: It’s not a bad idea to pack your own, especially if you’re not accustomed to cold climates, but you can buy blankets and your host families will provide you with blankets in CBT.
• Dylan: If you don't have a sleeping bag already and plan on buying one, check out the discounts that are available even for trainees!

Does Morocco get cold in the winter, shall I bring warm clothing?

• Rachael: YES! Winter lasts about eight months in my mountain town. Since there is no indoor heating, it’s hard to catch a break from the cold. I wear my winter coat indoors and out with multiple layers underneath.
• Shalean: Morocco is surprisingly cold in the winter! I wore multiple pairs of wool socks, a wool sweater, a wool hat, and fleece leggings with my down parka inside my house most days. Even with an electric heater, it can be extremely cold.
• Yes, even in warmer areas of the country, temperatures can reach freezing and below. Bring those few winter items that you can layer and will keep you warm. Additionally, maybe even consider bringing an electric blanket - I wish I had one during some of those harsh winter nights!

​
Should I invest in a 20 degree sleeping bag? Would you recommend bringing a phone?

• Shalean: I bought a sleeping bag at Decathlon, I’m waiting to see how it holds up this winter. I would recommend bringing a sleeping bag to PST/CBT because it will likely be warmer than the blankets you will have access to. I brought my unlocked iPhone and I would recommend bringing whatever you feel most comfortable with; you are going to be living here for 2 years, it isn’t like a short trip abroad, you want to feel comfortable and settled.
• Morgan: I wouldn't recommend investing in a winter sleeping bag. I agree, sleeping bags are crucial to have and my thin summer rated one has been nice to have. The extra layer helped keep me warm during PST and during winter at site with blankets on top of it. However, my final site is not very cold and after February I just slept in my sleeping bag with a light blanket over it, which I ditched in March or April. The light sleeping bag is also good for summer trips to other PCV sites!
• Ty: I’m envious of the PCVs who did bring sleeping bags. I don’t think the extreme weather sleeping bags are necessary but sleeping bags are very convenient for layering and travel. It’s easy to crash at another PCVs place if you have a sleeping bag that you can travel with - or host other people passing through your site. ​

What would you say is the most essential thing to pack?

• Shalean: A warm coat
• Morgan: Many volunteers would say external hard drive.
• Shalom: For men and women of color with naturally curly/kinky hair (or just curly headed people in general) make sure to bring hair products that work for you. Click here for a full list of essentials specifically for invitees of color.
• Ty: Kitchen essentials: small skillet, cooking knife, spices, Trader Joe’s everything bagel seasoning, Old Bay, French press, etc. My kitchen is my most invested room in my apartment. Also, PC packing lists sometimes say that computers are optional but I would say it’s more of a necessity - I use mine nearly everyday for work.
• Bre: A few seasonings from home

What kind of phone do volunteers usually bring?

• Shalean: I brought my iPhone and use the PC SIM card.
• Dylan: I brought my iPhone and use the PC SIM card. I haven’t had to use the phone the Peace Corps provided, but have it as a backup.
• Casey: Whatever phone you have now, and make sure the SIM is unlocked.

What are the 3 most useful items you'd recommend an invitee bring with them from the states?

• Shalean: Food items that make you feel less homesick (I brought hot sauce, seasoning to make tacos, gumbo, and jambalaya), a kindle or other item where you can enjoy hobbies in your freetime, a thick down parka to stay warm in the cold winters!
• Jacob: If you’re into cooking, a proper chef’s knife. Long underwear and thick socks. Command hooks. (hard drive, but that one goes without saying?)
• Morgan: My crossword puzzle books have been lifesavers. My fuzzy socks were also quite cozy in the winter. And diva cup! ​

What products, if any, did you bring a 2 year supply of? Are you happy you did?

• Casey: Tampons. I switched to a diva cup so I didn’t need a two-year supply, but it’s nice to be able to share.
• Jacquie: Make-up and skincare
• Shalean: Skincare and haircare products
• Morgan: I did not bring a 2-yr supply of anything, but made sure to have 3 months of everything to get me through PST. I was able to find my favorite brand of soap (Dove bars) as well as my favorite brand of shampoo/conditioner (Tresemme) in country and also bought French brand spf 50 facial moisturizer in country when I ran out.
• Ty: Toiletries: deodorant, toothbrushes, dental floss sticks, Burt’s Bees chapstick, etc. Also dietary supplements, like fish oil. I like that I was able to get these items in bulk leaving for service, especially since they tend to be more expensive and harder to find in-country. Logistically, it’s also nice to have and deplete these items as service continues - you’ll have more space in your suitcases when you return, travel after service, etc. ​

​Should I leave the denim at home or are jeans acceptable?

• Rachael: Definitely bring jeans! I’m in a colder mountain town and wear them with leggings under for about half the year.
• Shalean: I don’t feel comfortable wearing jeans in my site, but I wear them when I travel or visit larger cities! Definitely bring them!
• Liz: I wear jeans all the time in site! Though I would recommend bringing pants that are easier/faster to wash/dry, especially if you are doing your laundry by hand.
• Morgan: Love wearing jeans in site, hate washing them.

What kinds of clothes are we expected to wear our first week in country? Is it business casual?
Male:

• Jacob: Same as below
• Dylan: I didn’t bring any dress pants, but I wish I had brought a pair. However, black and darker (nicer) jeans have sufficed thus far.
• Ty: Yes, any type of group training sessions are meant to be business casual: Polos, slacks, and a closed-toe show (not sneakers) will do the trick. However, I’d still recommend bringing as few clothes as possible. You can find almost anything you will need at souk (local market), the clothing section is like shopping at a secondhand store. Your clothes will go through a lot of wear and tear and several PCVs leave clothes before ending service

Female:

• Shalean: Business casual, no jeans, no open-toed shoes, facial piercings and visible tattoos should be covered, dress conservatively and professionally, this is your first opportunity to make a good impression with staff and other PCVs and sets the tone for your service
• Jacquie: You won’t need a lot of professional clothes for most of your service. So, be sure to bring professional clothes for orientation that can be worn for longer than a week.

Would you recommend a travel backpack or a hiking backpacking backpack?

• Jacob: Yes. You’ll be going on overnights to your friends’ sites. There is some breathtaking hiking/camping to be done in Morocco, and lots of mountains to climb if you are so inclined.
• Dylan: I personally brought a 75L backpacking backpack. 75L is the absolute most I’d recommend!

Did you bring anything from home that you have loved?

• Jacquie: Sleeping bag and teddy bear
• Shalean: Capri Blue candle, kindle, a few clothes that make me feel like myself
• Casey: My favorite local seasoning salt from home
• Rachael: Cheese packets from Kraft mac and cheese boxes, a good potato peeler, measuring spoons and cups
• Ty: My hammock has been a nice sanctuary, when needed. Although, I know some PCVs that brought one and have had limited space where they can hang it up.
• Bre: I brought a blanket, Old Bay and tons of pictures of my friends and family to not only put all around my apartment but to also show my host family during pre-service training (PST) and when I got to site.

What is one thing you wish you'd packed?

• Jacob: Warm slippers
• Shalean: A sleeping bag; I ended up buying one at Decathalon (Big sports store in various big cities of Morocco)
• Morgan: My sleeping pillow from home.
• Sam: So many things. My pipe, my milk frother, a decent winter coat, anything that makes you feel warm and cuddly both inside and out.
• Liz: More American snacks!
• Ty: An electrical power strip/outlet converter ​
• Bre: More small things to play with like bananagrams or a frisbee

What’s the most important thing to bring? Besides computer and phone?

• Jacob: A set of clothes that makes you feel like you that you can wear during down times at trainings or on vacation. Clothes you can layer for the cold months: long underwear, thermal socks… Chef’s knife. External hard drive.
• Shalean: A winter parka, boots, and cold-weather clothes, clothes for warm weather/summer, kindle if you like to read
• Dylan: External hard drive (rugged) and a reusable, insulated water bottle
• Chloe: Sleeping bag, insulated water bottle, clothing that can be worn for warm/cold temperatures, and a good day to day bag or backpack

What is something I could pack to benefit the youth/community?

• Jacquie: Stickers and UNO
• Rachael: Preschool/English flashcards (animals, numbers, colors, etc.)
• Jacob: VGA adapter to connect to older projector models and show movies
• Shalean: Embroidery thread for friendship bracelets and other crafting materials
• Casey: POP. ROCKS. (Great prizes)
• Morgan: Coloring books! Great host fam presents and if you have an extras you can photocopy the pages.
• Chloe: Folded large world map to hang in your space of work and use for classes ​

What is the most important thing to keep in mind when packing/helpful packing tips?

• Dylan: Although you want to be as practical as possible, bring what makes you happy! Whether it’s your favorite book, spices you can’t live without, or nice clothes for when you visit other countries, at the end of the day you’ll be glad you brought it.
• Casey: There are Walmart/target like stores that you WILL have access to during training. If you forget something, you will be able to find an equivalent in country.
• Chloe: Easier said than done, but do not overpack and don’t go out and buy a bunch of new stuff. At this point in my service, my outfits are half Moroccan and American purchases and I wear many of the same clothes over and over. If you need something, consider looking at Goodwill or a second-hand store. The things I am happiest to have packed are clothing that works for warm and cold weather, light and breezy and makes me feel comfortable.
• Emily: Pack light and bring the clothing essentials (a good pair of shoes, warm underclothes, jacket) but you can get used clothes here for between .50-$1 that can fill the gaps of stuff you don’t bring. Bring personal items and any food stuff that you really enjoy, a favorite coffee mug, pictures, etc.).

Are books in English (esp. kids’) easy to come by in Morocco? Or would this be a good thing to bring?

• Chloe: Kids books are pretty tough to come by (unless you have them in your place of work), but a few of the larger cities have English book stores. I would suggest bringing a few, in addition to English beginner flashcards if you would like. As for volunteer reading, there are a few options: (1) Lend books from the Peace Corps Morocco library, (2) swap books with fellow volunteers, (3) use your Kindle or tablet to access books from your home public library, Amazon, the volunteer Google Drive collection, etc.
• Rachael: Kids’ English books in city stores are pretty cheap, so I’d save luggage weight for other things. A few at the beginning though could help in classes. Once you get here and would be interested in reading literacy, there are a few international NGOs that mail books to PCVs for their youth. If you’re lucky, a previous PCV in your site may have already built a library at your place of work!
• Ty: Most books I’ve seen being sold are either in French or Arabic. For personal use, PC Morocco has an incredible resource library and librarian. For student use, you may have the opportunity to attend a Library workshop through PC, and/or apply for an accompanying grant. ​

What’s the one thing you regret not packing/bringing?

• Emily: I didn’t bring a long enough jacket (enough to cover my bottom) so I ended up wearing this ugly sweatshirt/jacket almost everyday for the first six months until I could find something.

​2) Life at Site (Language, Host Families, Integration, Travel, etc.)

​What do volunteers like to do to destress while trying to adjust to a new life?

• Shalean: Reading, cooking, yoga, meditation, calling other PCVs and friends from home, exercise, journaling
• Jacob: Reading, cooking, crafts, writing, language study, going on walks/hikes, calling friends
• Casey: Watch movies or TV
• Morgan: Crossword puzzles, reading, exercise/ yoga, talking to other volunteers, friends, and family.
• Sam: Reading, painting, writing, I love identifying plants and getting into nature when I can.

How is the homestay dynamic? I'm curious about a few of your experiences.

• Jacob: Both my host families (PST and final site) were kind, welcoming people, but neither of them were particularly warm or affectionate. You don’t have to become besties with your host fam. Remember that the nagging feeling of helplessness that comes from not being able to control what you eat or when you can be by yourself is temporary. On the flip side, I have friends who developed wonderful relationships with their host families: going apple picking, getting into deep discussion about politics and culture, having empowering talks with younger host siblings, etc.
• Casey: It will vary from family to family. My training family was rocky at times, but my final site fam is my rock in Morocco.
• Dylan: It wasn’t always easy, but you will learn how to set boundaries and navigate the relationship!
• Morgan: I have a very strong relationship with my PST host fam and keep in touch with them via WhatsApp and am currently visiting them! They made me feel incredibly welcomed and took wonderful care of me and treated me like their own. I had a difficult time living with my host family in site and do not have a relationship with them, but experiences vary.
• Sam: I absolutely adored my PST homestay family, but was not in a place linguistically to cement that relationship. As for my site host family they are welcoming, but also very abrasive and make me feel guilty for wanting to have alone time or when I don’t visit them. As will all home-stays, the intellectual and cultural variations are so vast that there is no telling how your experience will be until you have it. Yet always remember that half of the relationship is you putting in the effort and the other half are HCNs meeting you halfway with language and an open mind.
• Shalean: I had an amazing CBT family that I have visited post training, they were incredibly kind, understanding, and patient. I had 3 young host siblings who were always eager to play and teach me Darija and Tamazight, and I was their first PCT, so they were very protective of me! My permanent site family were more difficult, and abrasive, and I actually moved out a week early because I felt so unwelcomed and uncomfortable in their home. I no longer communicate with them, even though the previous PCV in my community had a good and sustained relationship with them. Just as in the US you will have different relationship dynamics with people, especially if you live together, that holds true here too. Being open and flexible and trying to connect and communicate is important for the relationships you build with your host families, but don’t take it personally if your personalities are not a match. ​

Are Moroccan cell/data plans affordable and useful for PCVs?

• Shalean: Peace Corps provides us with cell phones, SIM cards, and a very generous phone plan with data and free calling to other PCVs each month.
• Dylan: Data is $1/gb, so if you blow through your allotted 2gb allowance, you can easily buy more.
• Morgan: The first week in country Peace Corps will give each volunteer a cheap smart phone and a Moroccan SIM card. I chose to put the sim card in my American smart phone and don't use my PC-issued phone. The phone plan we all get has unlimited calling to all volunteers, 10 free hours of calling (including international) per month, and 2G of data.

When sharing U.S. pictures abroad, should the pics be as conservative as they are?

• Shalean: Try not to show any photos from the US where you’re not covered or that can be inflammatory or unprofessional. Remember that PC service is 24/7/365-if you wouldn’t show it to an employer in the US, don’t show it to your host family or community member in PST. As you progress through service and your language skills improve, you will have a better idea of what is appropriate or not, but it’s better to be cautious at first.
• Dylan: As mentioned above, you will get an idea of what is appropriate to show and what isn’t. Some families and people are more or less conservative than others, so it will vary tremendously.
• Morgan: I recommend saving any scandalous pics onto a computer or USB and making sure to have plenty of family-friendly pics on your phone to share with others.
• Ty: Yes, be conscious of what photos are being shared - don’t let someone like a host sibling scroll through your phone. Even pictures at the beach in bathing suits can be seen as offensive by some. Additionally, you’ll probably receive several social media requests from host country nationals (HCN) through your personal accounts. Some PCVs have made “work-related” accounts to help separate pages and content that may be catered more towards different audiences. ​

Are our paychecks meant to cover rent to our host family? Do you pay rent when living with a host family?

• Shalean: Your Language and Cultural Facilitator (LCF) will go with you to get a signature from your host family that certifies that they have received payment. You will be allocated a specific amount of money to your Moroccan bank account to pay host families.
• Ty: Yes, this is the system during Pre-Service Training (PST). At that point, Most of the stipend given to you is intended for your host family and the services they provide during the first 3 months (housing, meals, language help, integration, etc.). Once volunteers, you will be given a larger monthly stipend that is allocated towards your basic necessities while living here: rent, utilities, food, transportation, etc. ​
• Casey: Yes. Peace Corps has negotiated cost with the families in advance and will give you enough to cover it.

​Will we be with a host family at our permanent site, or have our own place?

• Jacob: you will be living with a host family in site for at least your first month. During that time, you will start looking for a place to live. Once you find a couple good options, your Regional Manager will come to approve your housing and facilitate lease-signing. Technically you could move in as soon as this process is complete. Some people take a little longer to find suitable housing in which case they continue to stay with their host families for the time being. I think there are a handful of us who are still living with the host families they got placed with in site.

What is the best way to travel with money… credit card, cash?

• Jacob: None of the commercial transactions you’ll be involved in day to day will accept credit cards. That being said, bring your Moroccan ATM card to withdraw cash.
• Dylan: Credit cards are useful, but mostly when you are travelling outside of the country. If you do bring one, make sure that it doesn’t have any international fees!
• Sam: Travelling in country you will be required to use cash money for the majority of transactions (unless in a larger city). A good practice is to store cash in different places in your luggage and on your person. For example I will have maybe 200 dhs in my wallet, 200 hidden inside my phone next to the battery, and another 400 hidden amongst my belongings.

Are we able to have visitors around Christmas time?

• Jacob: Outside visitors no. You’ll still be living with your host family in final site and won’t be able to travel outside your region. That being said, the volunteers from the staj before in your region will 100% be hosting holiday-time get togethers at their sites. We remember what it was like last year, we got you.
• Dylan: Visitors are not allowed your first three months at site, which includes Christmas.

Is there good backpacking/camping in country?

• Casey: Absolutely. The volunteers and host country nationals (HCNs) in your final sites will have all the deets on where to go. There will also be opportunities during PST for those interested.
• Ty: Yes, picnicking, day-trips, camping, etc. are all common throughout Morocco. Desert dune trips to Merzouga, camping in the Atlas mountains, beach trips on the Mediterranean coast, and local coves, like Paradise Valley, are all favorites among PCVs.

​What is one advice you would give when living with a host family?

• Jacob: When they ask you if you’re tired, say yes and excuse yourself to go to your room. Best socially acceptable way to have a bit of alone time.
• Shalean: Be flexible and open to new experiences, have no expectations going in, don’t compare your experience with other PCVs, try to learn as much as possible, don’t feel uncomfortable setting boundaries.
• Morgan: It can feel uncomfortable being in a room with a bunch of people when you don't know them well or understand their language. Take a deep breath and try to feel comfortable just existing in these new spaces rather than recluding to the boundaries of your room. I adore my PST host family and they were nothing but warm and welcoming, but I still felt awkward around them the first two weeks, and that's normal!
• Sam: I would add, find a lot of commonalities between your host family and yourself, extend help when you can in cleaning, cooking, or going to market. Try to be active in their lives and they will show a lot more interest in yours.​

What’s your favorite thing to do in your town?

• Shalean: Spend time visiting with shopkeepers, meeting with friends, going to dinners and kaskruts.
• Jacob: One of the barbers in town has become a really good friend. Going to his shop is always a great time to chat, learn some eclectic vocab, and meet new men and boys from my village.
• Morgan: I go for walks every evening to watch the sunset over the mountains, it's a gorgeous view and the walk helps me to put my face out in the community.
• Sam: Go to cafes and catch up with friends and acquaintances. Take a walk in the oasis. Visit my host sister at work.

How has adjusting to a conservative culture affected you?

• Shalean: I smile less and avert my eyes toward the ground when I walk down the street, I dress more conservatively and am more aware of how I present myself publicly.
• Casey: Everything I do outside is a conscious decision.
• Morgan: Yes all of the above! And pro-tip, wear sunglasses, these make me feel significantly more confident looking at my surroundings and decrease the chances of me making accidental eye contact with men, I'm hyper-aware of where I'm looking when I don't wear them.
• Sam: I hide a lot of who I am and everything I do or say is a calculation between what will accomplish 2nd goal activities (cultural exchange) and what will allow me to maintain my integration level/not get me shunned from my community. Always choose your battles, you will get a feel for who can handle the American side of you and who gets the watered-down stereotype of America that they expect of you.

How do you find community before being able to effectively communicate?

• Morgan: There are a plethora of ways to connect and build relationships with people in your community that do not involve much language. My first night with my CBT host fam I showed them tons of pictures I had brought with me of family and friends from home. I also cooked with my family daily which was a good bonding experience. And regarding language, you'll learn a few basic survival phrases before being shipped off to your host fams, so I wouldn't worry too much :).
• Jacob: Humbling yourself and showing your eagerness to learn the language will endear you to people. Accept that you are going to be perceived like a bumbling child for the first couple weeks (months? year?), but keep in mind that will make people feel protective and responsible towards you.
• Sam: Be ready to make mistakes and laugh at yourself. As I mentioned before there are so many other things that you will have in common with your host family and community members that will allow you to learn the language more easily and build relationships.
• Chloe: I mastered my acting skills during CBT. I spent countless nights laughing at myself and entertaining my host family with my crazy hand gestures and visual storytelling. I also spent a lot of time simply saying “Salam” (Hello) to people on my walks and as I always try to do, I smiled a lot. Spending a considerable amount of time outside of my house also really helped me be visible and feel more known/recognized in my community. ​

What has been the best form of communication with family back home?

• Jacquie: WhatsApp, great for messages and video chat
• Shalean: Facebook messenger, WhatsApp, Skype
• Morgan: WhatsApp, international calling minutes from PC phone plan

What are a few suggestions for help overcome any hardship during service?

• Jacquie: Find your niche, whether that be reading/yoga/hiking/meditating. Give yourself time to find what makes you happy!
• Shalean: Talk to other PCVs, give yourself grace, don’t take yourself too seriously
• Casey: Think about your coping mechanisms back home and create spaces where you can use those (i.e. don’t let HCN’s into your home so you can have a space for YOU)
• Jacob: You get unlimited calling to your fellow PCVs, use it! The camaraderie this experience forges is really intense and really nice. It’s been so helpful for me on days when I felt trapped in my own thoughts to call fellow volunteer friends. Know that it’s ok to take small breaks from being in site too: go spend the weekend at a friend’s or spend the day in your nearest big city.
• Rachael: I think I read this on Reddit, but write down your top three personal goals, Peace Corps work goals, and long-term career goals, they’re a good reminder of why you joined!
• Morgan: When I am feeling down or frustrated I try to rephrase things as learning experiences, it actually really helps for me! I Also try to not take anything too personally and try to figure out the reasoning behind cultural differences.
• Sam: Talk to friends, write your feelings and thoughts, take time for yourself. I’ve had so many hard times in service because of the nature of my site/work in site coupled with chronic depression. I’ve started painting and writing and have learned so much about myself and what I appreciate in life through these different mediums. I’ve never been a person to have personal or career goals, but have been letting life unfold before me. When we are going through hardships often times the feelings we are getting are the answers to our problems just looking for a way out. Find a creative outlet to let your truth flow from you.

How long did it take you to feel comfortable with the language?

• Jacob: if you’ve taken Arabic before, you should be comfortably proficient in Darija by the end of PST (3 months). If you end up in a Tam/Tash-dominant site, I cannot stress enough how important and rewarding it is to also learn the local language. It took me about 6-7 months before I felt I could do most basic day to day communicative tasks in Tam.
• Shalean: I did not have prior training in Arabic, so it took about 5-6 months before I felt truly comfortable in Darija.
• Casey: Still workin’ on it
• Morgan: I took Arabic in college. You will find people who understand your Darija and people who are good communicators who rephrase things and use basic vocabulary. By the end of CBT, my host mom and I could hold a conversation for hours, but when members of the house talked amongst themselves I understood them much less because they spoke much faster and used a bigger variety of vocab. It's important to find someone early on who can understand your Darija and translate into intelligible Darija for others.
• Sam: The next site over from mine says that people here speak funny and I swear everyone has their own rendition of Darija. It’s always a work in progress. I’m comfortable with some people and others I literally cannot understand unless they want me to understand.

Where have you visited on your vacation days?

• Jacquie: U.K., Spain, other PCV sites in Morocco,
• Shalean: Italy, US, Morocco
• Morgan: I've been to the coast south of Agadir, Azrou, Ifran, Agdz, and my friend's site in the desert
• Casey: Other peoples’ sites!
• Rachael: Home, Norway, PCV sites, various cities around Morocco
• Sam: Spain, Italy, places in Morocco, and other sites. If I have vacation now I usually go up to Marrakesh. ​

​What has been your favorite part of service?

• Shalean: Ramadan! It was one of the more challenging parts of my service, because I was fasting and my town didn’t have running water, but I spent every evening with community members and took baked goods I had made (without tasting them first!) to friends’ homes. It was a great experience and was the first time I felt truly integrated as a community member.
• Morgan: Also Ramadan. I broke fast with one of my friends in site almost daily and then would go for a two-hour long walk when it was dark and cool which was lovely, but I'm in a bigger site and during Ramadan people are usually out shopping and walking around until about 1am.
• Jacquie: I really have enjoyed going to and helping other PCVs at their events/workshops/camps, as well as the STEMpowerment workshop I co-facilitated in my own community. I loved seeing the girls light up when they learned something new and the friendships they made during the workshop.
• Jacob: learning Tamazight. I am a language nerd and having the chance to learn this language now is a once in a lifetime opportunity
• Traveling is such an incredible benefit of PC service. It constantly reminds me that there’s so much more of the world left to see - Morocco is stunning and has so many diverse places to visit. I’ve made it a personal goal to see every UNESCO World Heritage Site here before COSing. In terms of work, I really enjoyed working at the El Jadida summer camp last month. It gave me the opportunity to work in a new setting, with different HCNs and PCVs, and refreshed my outlook on what types of projects can be accomplished during service.

How often are most PCVs in Morocco able to get internet access? What’s the speed like?

• Emily: I never got WiFi but I use data and hotspot my computer when I need it. Having WiFi in your house is very easy and affordable too. Also if your site is larger, you most likely will have cafes nearby that have WiFi. Internet is fast enough to stream shows but downloading large files can sometimes be a slow process.
• Liz: Internet access is widely available all across Morocco. I have had phone data in almost every place I’ve visited (aside from some very rural villages). As for wifi, you’ll likely be able to get it in your site. You’ll be able to buy a type of wifi that uses data from cell phone towers, meaning wifi will work in your site if data works (and it’s portable too). I live in a small site and I am the first and only person in my town to have wifi. None of the cafes or administrative buildings have it. Wifi strength and speed depends on your location, if it’s fixed or portable, and if it’s public or private.
• Shalean: I have unlimited wifi with a portable router that I take to trainings and with me when I travel, it’s $20/month and has been fairly fast/reliable for working, Skyping home, streaming Spotify, and watching Netflix.
• Jacob: I live in a small village that doesn’t have the infrastructure for wired internet. I have a mobile router, which works like a mobile hotspot. For 199 DH/a month, I get 40 GB of higher speed internet and when I exceed that, I still have unlimited connectivity at slower speeds. Even then, I can still stream music and videos. It only gets noticeably limiting when you’re trying to download larger files or use multiple devices at the same time. Connectivity also tends to get wonky for a day or two around the end of the month when payments are due. For the first few months, I had to go into the regional capital 20 minutes away to pay my wifi bill, but I’ve finally figured out how to pay with my bank card. Maroc Telecom (the biggest telephone/wifi company that most people use) is very frustrating to navigate. If you’re having trouble ask around, someone else from the staj will have had the same problem and will be able to share their solution.

​What are some good ways to integrate into your community at your permanent site?

• Liz: Accept any and all lunch, kaskrut, and dinner invitations, even if you don’t know the person! This is a great way to meet new people, explore new parts of your site, and learn more about Moroccan culture.
• Shalean: Walk around town and greet people you see, buy items from different hanuts (stores) and switch it up so that you’re meeting different shopkeepers, try to find a bakery or two to buy bread, take baked goods (if you’re into baking) to your neighbors, meet with your mudir or mudira early and discuss your work priorities, if your host family is nice and welcoming, have them introduce you to people in your community, accept all invitations, try to find a tutor early on and ask that person to meet with you in a public place where you can meet other people. My strategy has been “happy, thank you, more please.”
• Jacob: (The following will be much easier to do for male volunteers) Pick a spot outside where people tend to congregate and spend some time sitting there. More often than not people will want to strike up a conversation with you. Or start chatting with someone yourself. Bring something that will pique people’s interest (darija/tam textbook, sketchbook, something with a cool picture on the cover). Come back regularly and you’ll start having your point people who can vouch for you and explain why you are there. Besides cafes, barber shops tend to be decent places to be exposed to a bunch of other men and boys.
• Ty: (Like mentioned above, following advice is much easier for male PCVs) Be seen in public. Make yourself approachable and accessible to community members. Join a rec sports team, go to the gym, go to cafes to watch soccer matches, etc. Also, with work, post your schedule and be as reliable as possible.

How often do you use French?

• Jacob: I am a native French speaker, which has its limited uses. 1) any time you come into contact with officialdom like calling the telephone company or the post office, French can be used instead of Arabic. 2) Overwhelmingly, Moroccans will default to speaking French to you when they perceive you as a foreigner. This is especially true for giving prices. 3) Somewhat related, a lot of Darija words are French loans/people like to sprinkle French in when they talk. Speaking French can help with comprehension. The flipside is that if you don’t know a word in Darija but you know it in French, 75% of the time people will know exactly what you mean. 4) If you speak and read French really well, kids will be very grateful for your help with their French homework. All that being said, for me personally serving in a small village in the Atlas Mountains, very few people are actually conversant in French. There will be more French speakers in larger sites, and if you go to Rabat you will be able to function 100% in French if you so choose.

• Bre: Having never studied French before I use very little French.  I have learned a few words that have been mixed into Darija and have found that despite communicating that I don’t speak French many people use additional French words for clarification when trying to explain things to me.  I have found it helpful to ask for clarification and take note of the common French words that people use in everyday language just as I would ask if I hear a darija word I don’t know. I never respond in French but it’s helpful knowing a few words so I can understand what’s going on.

What was the hardest part of service for you?

• Jacquie: Social and gender norms, and harassment 
• Liz: Homesickness, harassment, and having to wear conservative clothing in the heat
• Ty: Inconsistency of work ​

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​How well do you get to know other volunteers?

• Casey: Like any big group, some you’ll know very well and some hardly at all. I’ve got best friends and people I still have to Facebook stalk.
• Liz: With a group this size, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to get to know or even talk to everyone unless you really try. But the people that you do get to know will become some of your best friends!
• Ty: Group chats have helped connect PCVs and similar interests: cooking, podcasts, working out, etc. Additionally, joining a committee has connected me with PCVs that I didn’t get to connect with well during initial trainings.

What do Volunteers do for exercise?

• Jacquie: I teach a women’s yoga class 2-3 times a week, workout in the extra room in our house, and go on hikes. 
• Ty: Some sites have gyms (usually accessible to male PCVs, sometimes have hours for female PCVs) that you can afford on the monthly stipend. Running, basketball, rec centers, swimming, and activities with youth have also included exercise outlets.

3) Miscellaneous

Why are you happy you picked Morocco?

• Casey:  مرة مرة الخبز بنين or Morocco chose me and the people have been zwinin 
• Ty: Living, learning, and understanding more about Islamic culture.
• Dylan: Geographic diversity similar to my home state!

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Is it common for legal clearances to take this long? Is there anything I can do?

• Dylan: It is! Unfortunately, it’s a random process that varies from person to person. For example, my wife and I submitted our information on the same day and received clearances on June 5th and August 28th.
• Sam: To add, I believe the process also depends on what prefecture/district you submit your clearance to. Patience is key for anything Peace Corps.

Still waiting on medical clearance & I depart on Sept 8th...can I start freaking out yet?

• Liz: Try messaging your nurse in-portal. Mine was very understanding and accommodating. Good luck!

​How much money should I save up before I leave?

• Chloe: This largely depends on you. Some can (and make it their goal) to live and travel only using their Peace Corps money, and others set money aside from home for their travels and additional in-country expenses (adding extra furnishings to their home, splurging on items in big cities, etc). Everyone spends their money differently, but you can absolutely get by with your Peace Corps allowance if that’s important to you.
• Shalean: I worked for years before Peace Corps, so I had some savings that I brought in to be able to travel in Europe and buy some things for my home that I want to take back to the US. However, Peace Corps provides us with a generous settle in allowance and enough money to live comfortably in our communities, so don’t worry too much if you don’t come in with savings.
• Morgan: I haven't used any money from back home and could probably travel to Europe with my PC savings right now if I wanted to and was frugal about it.

Have you gone to prayer at the mosque? Did you go alone/friends/colleagues/host family?

• Casey: Unless you are Muslim you will not go into the mosques. There are two(?) mosques in the country that non-Muslims can go inside of but other than that it’s forbidden. If you are Muslim most mosques in sites are for men only.
• Shalean: I agree with Casey, unless you are Muslim, you will likely not go inside of the mosques in site. The exception to this is the mosque in Casablanca, and my friend’s site has a mosque that is a Sufi pilgrimage site that I have visited; there may be others you can visit that are open at certain times for tourists, but it’s unlikely that you’ll go inside a mosque in your CBT or final site. ​

​Did you get any say where you were placed for service or were you just assigned after training?

• Chloe: Towards the end of community-based training (CBT), you will meet with a small group of Regional Managers and talk about the upcoming site placement. They will learn more about you (work style, experience, strengths/weaknesses, etc.) during this time, and ask you about any site preferences you may have (preference for a small/big site, interested in working with a Women’s cooperative or doing sport programming, or working with Special Needs youth, etc.).
• Liz: Though you will have a site placement interview to talk about your work experience, Peace Corps cannot promise any of your preferences will be taken into consideration. They match you with your site based solely on your resume and experiences. With that being said, it can’t hurt to voice your preferences during the interview.
• Jacob: Ditto to all of this. Also make sure you really mean everything you say in your interview. I mentioned that it would be cool to be placed in a Tamazight-speaking site, and I ended up in a site where no one speaks Darija to each other.