Wednesday, December 19, 2012

1001 things living in Morocco

Hello there, do you still with me? well, another things to concern about living abroad is behaviour of the native. You know the feeling when you see foreign people in the street and you saw them from top to toe or just take a glance to them well in this case it will be reverse. Living abroad will give you another feeling at least being different or minority. But don't be afraid, time will heal. Now i'm going to tell you about a guide living in Rabat, Morocco.
1. Morocco people do not use Modern Standard Arabic in their daily life (so do all arabic countries) they prefer to use Darija, their own dialect language and French. You know english and fluent in english? forget it, no one will understand you except aiport attendance.
2.Composisition of religion in Morocco are Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2%. Even muslim is the majority, they are not extreme like in gulf countries, they are more open minded and copy paste all french culture. You're going to feel walking in Europe with arab face rather than being in islamic country.
3.Transportation in Morocco is good. Petit Taxi is surprisingly communal, not exclusive for one passenger even the price is reasonable. Grand Taxi is not recommended for foreign because well that old mercedes is creepy and many pickpocket inside however the price is cheap. Tram also good, but it require a lot of walking. Bus in the city is rarely to be found. Bus intercity called CTM (the national bus) is very recomended and safe, other bus company is also safe but not comfy. Train is more expensive than bus, but there is night train and very comfy for long distance travel.
4.About accomodation like housing. Actually Rabat is more expenisive than Casablanca. Especially area like Agdal, just like Kemang in Jakarta or Orchard Road in Singapore or between them, the thing is the appartment in Agdal is expensive but you can find cheaper appartement in Rabat in area called Khomro, near the bus station, well, they said its not safe but there's always price to pay.

Now for girls, why i have to write separately? arab man famous for their not so good behaviour toward woman, so this is tips from me.

During day lights there are many police around, so don't afraid. But during night, there are many boys hang out in the street looking from top to toe and saying something well not polite. How to avoid this kind of condition are

  • Do not wandering around alone in the night, especially after 9 pm.
  • Do not wear something revealing.
  • Do not smile to strangers, they will think you like them
  • Walk with strong and fierce face, its really works.
  • Even more wiser to avoid street full of boys
Actually, its not as hard as it looks like but still avoid harrasment and all the bad things to you by doing this tips will be very helpful.

Monday, December 17, 2012

The Obstacle of living abroad

Hello again!

I'm going to tell about how to prepare your self living abroad, well, may be i'm not the one who know everything, but all i share in here is only my 3 months experience living abroad. Actually, Morocco is 4 season country (don't be shock) even it is in Africa, but North Africa, 30 minutes reached by fery from Spain. Well, not only Morocco, but countries with four seasons is really different from my beloved tropical sunny and rainny Indonesia.So, let's start!

1. Weather
Check all the weather circumtances during your visit to that country. its important because if you're not get used with either very cold or very hot, it will be trouble for you to survive. Because if you get sick while you're abroad, its really painful. all the medicine is expensive. Moreover, if you from tropical country like me, it wiser to just lend a thick coat from your friend in your country and bring it also if you want to buy boots, buy it when you arrived, the price is more reasonable than in ur country.

2.Language.
Fluent in english is always helpful, but don't forget sometimes its not gonna work.because not all people fluently speaking in english so knowing the 2nd language of that countries also good for your preparation, buy small pocket of daily language will help you survived.

3.Food
Bring some spices from your countries and mixed it with ingredients originally from your destination country just to make your belly not reject the taste of the new food or simply eat something internationally.

4.Culture.
Understanding how the community works in that countries also benefit to survive. For example, the religion majority, the custom and behaviour of people, how to asked question to native, how they live in family, how they speak to older and younger people? how they study? and many more 5W and H. You can simply google it or read the news.

5.Embassy and Student Organization.
If your country have embassy in that country, get in touch with them. no matter what happend they are your guard in that country, visit them once in a while just to make sure that they know you're alive or simply healthy. However, get in touch with student from your country who studying there also beneficial, actually they are really excited if there will be new comers. they will help all the things you need and for the bonus the will become your guide while you traveling throughout the country.

Well, that's only five, yeah its not so hard to living abroad if you come prepared. cheers. 

About Ibn Batuta Scholarship

Dear anyone, whoever you are who read my very quite blog, i want to share about my short course to morocco, hope you're enjoying my blog! I'm going to make it Q&A so you don't have to read my non sense writing. kekeke!

1.What is the name of the scholarship?
The name of the scholarship i applied is "Ibn Batuta Scholarship for Peace and Diplomacy"

2.Do we have to pay the admission for applying?
This scholarship is free of charge since its only apply by online.

3.How about the chance to win this scholarship?
This scholarship is known worldwide (for people who studying arabic) and very competitive. If there's 200 applicants, only 5 who'll get the scholarship.

4. What is the differences between the full and partial scholarship?
The full scholarship covered housing and tuititon fees. The partial only tuition fees.

5.What covered and not covered by this scholarship?
The full scholarship winner gets housing include appartment, wifi, pick up bus, breakfast and tuition fees and this scholarship didn't give you cash for living cost and airfare neither you're full or partial winner.

6. What is the name of the institution?
The name of the school i attended is Qalam wa Lawh centre for arabic studies in Rabat.

7.How's the method of learning?
This school adopted America method in learning arabic, actually its really effective. everyday all the staff and teachers try to speak in arabic and they also really try to not use english around school. also, everyday you have to prepare a story to tell in front of your class and twice a week there will be an excurcion around Rabat, either go to museum or historical places, just to get used to with arabic speakers.

8.How's the exam and standard of the school?
There are 9 level offered in the school and every level duration is 4 weeks and every two weeks there is an exam, middle exam and at the end of the month is final and presentation exam. The minimum point to passed is 60, below 60 you remained in that level.

9.Do we get transcript and certificate?
Yes, at the end of your study.

10.How long we have to wait for the annoucment?
One or two month after the deadline date. It published in facebook page and they will email you.

I hope you'll find this Q&A section very helpful, actually there's not so many things to do to apply this scholarship if you read all the instruction here, but i just want to make it clear :) Happy applying!