Mer7ba b l-fir9a l-maghribiya  (Welcome Morocco team),

With just weeks until we meet up in Casablanca to start our adventure, we have a collection of small assignments for you.  We invite you to start learning some basic information about Morocco so that we arrive all on the same page and excited when the course begins.  Please make time for all of this. It’s a bummer if people arrive without having put some thought into the course because it’s letting down your peers.  Instead, let’s all contribute to building a productive and engaged group culture!

Assignment #1: Post an introduction Yak!

We want to know who you are. Please post a Yak introducing yourself by answering the following questions:

1. Introductions tend to go the same every time, like this: “My name is Frank and I’m from New York City. I went to school at Fill In The Blank. I’ve never been to Morocco before but I’ve been to Spain, which is near to Morocco…” But we know that we can do better than that! While you can provide that basic biographical information in your introduction, please also work to inform us: who are you?
2. What are the things you are most eager to experience and to learn about on this course?
3. What role does this course play in your life?
4. Make sure to post a picture of yourself with the Yak.

Assignment #2: Talk with one of your instructors!

One of us will be getting in touch with you to arrange a phone call soon. We know you’ve been talking with people at Dragons a lot, but now you can talk with the people you’re actually going to be traveling with. We like to hear your voices, give you a chance to ask questions, and get to know each other a little. Please check your email so we can schedule a call.  (Some of you have already received calls).

Assignment #3: Discover basic information about Morocco.

Find answers to the following questions and write them in your journal:

• Where Morocco is located?
• What is the demography of Morocco?
• What are the linguistic groups of the country?
• What is the political system in Morocco?
• What is the daily popular food for Moroccans?
• What are the major industries of Morocco?

Assignment #4: Research your specific place or city.

As you can see in our Narrative Itinerary Yak post, we will be visiting many different places while in Morocco and glimpsing the great diversity that exists there.  We will be seeing Morocco’s biggest city (Casablanca), its political capital (Rabat), the High Atlas Mountains, probably some desert time, and the coastal waters of the Atlantic, along with much else.

Please come prepared to present on your assigned location for the benefit of the group.  Your presentation should include information on the assigned place’s history, geography, population, language, and other such relevant details. Some places include extensive histories of more than a thousand years, whereas other places might be much more rural and less grand.  But in each case it’s your job to creatively locate information and present it to the group in an interesting, coherent, and digestible way. Your presentation will be done before we arrive in said location.

Please take a look at our tentative itinerary on the Yak Board to know about when you will be presenting.  Your city or place is as follows:

• Dashiel Bove: Moulay Idriss Zerhoun
• Grayson Hodge: Fez
• Izzy Blonsfield: Marrakesh
• Julia Taylor: Azrou
• Maxwell Evans: Azilal
• Michela Laurin: Volubilis
• Nick Heymann: Rabat
• Olivia Wilkins: Azlag (just outside of Qelaat M’Gouna – also spelled Kelaat M’Gouna)
• Sam Nevins: Sidi Kaouiki

Finally, when engaging in rugged travel, there is inevitably going to be down time. Please come prepared to lead one fun game or team building activity that we can all participate in. Here are some ideas: mafia, minefield, or lifeboat. Good luck with your research, and we will see you soon.

Thllau f rouskum!! (Take care of yourselves),

We look forward to reading your introductions,

The Morocco I-Team