Here’s Looking at You, Kid - Casablanca
Updated: Aug 18
Our first day in Casablanca was FULL of activities. We started the day off with a lecture about the incredible architecture of Morocco including the ancient medinas. One of my favorite things about the architecture has to be the doors! Almost every door I have seen is unique and highly decorative, and most doors have an arched shape that is uncommon in the U.S. I also like how many of the houses are closed off to the outside streets with few outer windows, but then open up to patios and inner courtyards surrounded by lush vegetation.
After learning about Moroccan architecture we visited the Hassan II Mosque (3rd largest in Africa and 15th largest in the world) which may be the most beautiful building I have ever seen! All of the surfaces of the mosque including the walls, floors, ceilings, and doors are intricately decorated and hand carved with stunning designs. The baths of the mosque below the main floor are also hand carved marble and covered in colorful mosaics. One of the coolest things about the mosque, in my opinion, is that the roof of the mosque is retractable! It can be opened when the weather is nice to allow the sun to shine down into the mosque.
Once finishing our tour of the mosque, we had a delicious traditional Moroccan lunch at the historic La Sqala Fort constructed in 1769. We visited the Ministry of National Education & Training to learn about Moroccan Educational Reform. Finally, we ended the day with a shopping trip in Quartier House, one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city and locally called the "new, old city". We spent most of the time in a small local bookstore and were able to purchase children's books in Arabic.
On our second day in Casablanca we had lectures about teaching global competency skills and access to education for persons with disabilities (progress is being made, but definitely more room for equity). We also visited the INCREDIBLE Center for Socioeconomic Integration of Women in Precarious Conditions and IDMAJ Foundation which provides equitable opportunities for women in need to get out of poverty, gain education and trade skills, access childcare and psychology services, and become part of a safe, caring community. The center also provides equitable access to education for students in language development, math, science, art, sports, and so much more. That evening we ended our time in Casablanca with dinner in the historic La Corniche district with a beautiful view of the Hassan II Mosque lit up in all of its glory. This also marks the end of our time together as a full cohort until after our school placements which is bittersweet. I am sad to leave my new friends, but excited to see more of the country and get into the classroom.
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