Dartmouth’s Expanding Educational Presence in Morocco

Dartmouth College has a longstanding commitment to providing students with immersive educational experiences in Morocco, offering programs that span language acquisition, cultural understanding, and academic research. These opportunities are designed to foster a deeper engagement with the region and its complexities.

Language and Cultural Immersion Programs

For students interested in Arabic language study, Dartmouth offers a Language Study Abroad (LSA+) program in Rabat, Morocco. Classes are held at the Center for Cross Cultural Learning (CCCL), and students live with local families in the old city, enhancing their cultural immersion. The program includes two courses in Arabic language – at the intermediate or advanced level – and a director’s seminar titled “Modern Morocco: Literature, Culture, and Society.” Students also participate in extracurricular activities such as calligraphy workshops, visits to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and meetings with Moroccan novelists and filmmakers. Visits to cities like Fez, Tangier, Marrakech, and the Atlas Mountains are also incorporated into the curriculum.

Another Dartmouth program in Morocco focuses on Fez, where students learn Darija, the local Arabic dialect, at the Arabic Language Institute in Fez (ALIF). This program also includes courses on Moroccan history and government, and aims to provide students with an understanding of everyday life in a predominantly Islamic culture.

Expanding Academic and Professional Partnerships

Dartmouth is actively working to strengthen academic and professional ties with institutions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, including Morocco. The Dartmouth Initiative for Middle East Exchange (DIMEX) program has recently partnered to offer internships in Morocco at ORNX Green Hydrogen.

Program Details and Application Information

The MES Arabic LSA+ program in Rabat has an application deadline of February 1, 2026, with decisions announced on March 1, 2026. Approximately 18 students are selected for the program each year. Dartmouth offers nearly 50 off-campus programs annually in over 20 countries, with approximately 600 undergraduates participating each year.

Recent Dartmouth Activities in Morocco

Recent Dartmouth student activities in Morocco have included visits to the ruins of Volubilis, an ancient Roman city, and opportunities to dine with local host families.