“Finding Community Abroad: The Small Moments and Connections That Made Morocco Feel Like Home” by Samia Kharodia
Our guide in Zawiyat Ahansal shared fresh fruit that he had collected from nearby trees. In that little time frame, he encouraged us to be open to new experiences and avoid overthinking things. Some of the most profound things I gained in Morocco came from small, unexpected situations that were rooted in curiosity rather than comfort. Photo Credit: Kharodia, 2025.
Our camp provider took us on a late-night walk into the Merzouga dunes to stargaze, and it transformed what could have been another desert adventure into something remarkable. While seeing stars alone in the sand may sound romantic, I've discovered that sharing these moments with individuals who encourage and inspire you every day makes them infinitely better. The desert felt less vast when we were together, laughing and stumbling through the sand in the darkness. Photo Credit: Kharodia, 2025.
This is Rania, an English instructor here at Amideast, where I participated in the teaching volunteer program, where I got to work with tween-aged kids. Her enthusiasm for the kids was contagious, and we made a great pair. Wednesdays became my favorite day of the week, not just because I was assisting, but because I knew I'd get to work with Rania and see the kids' faces light up during our classes. Finding a mentor and partner in an unfamiliar country taught me that community can develop in the most unexpected places. Photo Credit: Kharodia, 2025.
These are the friends I met through Amideast, and each one played a unique role in shaping my study abroad experience. They held me down during the difficult and stressful times, celebrated the wins with me, and made even ordinary days feel special. When you're far from home, your friends become your chosen family; they become the people who understand what you're going through because they're living it too. Photo Credit: Kharodia, 2025.
During our visit to the local primary school in Zawiyat Ahansal, we spent time with these students despite our language barrier. They didn't speak English, and we were still learning Darija, but games and laughter bridged the gap. Their excited smiles and eager hugs reminded me that genuine connection doesn't require perfect communication, just curiosity and effort. Sometimes, connection doesn't need words; it just needs willingness and joy. Photo Credit: Kharodia, 2025.
Our weekly kickball games brought together Amideast students and local friends in the simplest way possible. Running around, missing catches, and laughing helped relieve stress after long weeks. These evenings showed me that community often forms through shared joy, not just conversation. Photo Credit: Kharodia, 2025.
Le Nautilus café became our go-to spot for doing homework and playing board games. It was nice to have a consistent place where our group could gather, decompress, and just enjoy each other's company. Sometimes you need a space that feels like yours in a new city, and this café became that for us. Photo Credit: Kharodia, 2025.
The staff at Amideast made coming to school something I actually looked forward to. As the oldest sibling in my family, I've never had older sisters, but these women reminded me what that might feel like. They checked in on me, celebrated small wins, and genuinely cared about how I was doing. Having that kind of support in a new country made all the difference. Photo Credit: Kharodia, 2025.
Samia Kharodia is a student at Syracuse University and studied abroad in the Fall 2025 on Amideast’s Area & Arabic Language Studies program.
