Capstone Year Abroad
Summers Abroad | Capstone Year
The Flagship experience culminates in the Capstone year, a twelve-month study abroad experience in Meknes, Morocco, during which time students participate in intensive language coursework, community service and an internship to facilitate a smooth transition to using Arabic in their careers.
The Language Flagship and UM partner to fund the Capstone experience.
Emily Stewart (’24) and Dana Arneal (’24)
Intensive Coursework
UM Arabic Flagship students join Flagship students from partner schools across the country to attend Capstone language classes at the Flagship overseas site AALIM located in a converted riad in the historic district of Meknes.
Coursework includes language classes in modern standard Arabic, Egyptian colloquial dialect and Moroccan colloquial dialect as well as content courses such as Gender in the Arab World, Signposts in Arab Culture, Arabic Literature and Moroccan Institutions & Cultural Values.
University Lectures
Flagship students experience Moroccan higher education by attending lectures hosted by professors of local University Moulay Ismail (UMI) alongside UMI students.
Internship & Service
During the fall semester, students integrate into the local community by volunteering on the weekends. In the spring, students gain practical language experience by participating in a professional internship. UM students have interned with a local Moroccan news station, a social development institution and in primary/secondary education.
Watching the sunset over Chefchaoen, Morocco’s blue city
Language Partners
Students work one-on-one with talented language instructors as well as with Moroccan conversation partners.
Host families showcase Moroccan hospitality.
Housing
Students live with Moroccan host families for the first two months of Capstone while they search for apartments of their own. During the fall and spring semesters, students live with an American roommate and a Moroccan roommate.
Adam Koussih (’24), Jackie Stewart-Kuhn (’25), and Mark Baisier (’25) visit Casablanca
Cultural Excursions
Capstone students explore Morocco’s diverse landscape and unique history. Excursion locations include Tangiers, Rabat, Casablanca, ancient city Volubilis and desert village Merzouga among others.