DC Internationals MESALI

After years of trying to get to the continent of Africa, I finally got there with DC Internationals. Morocco is on the northwest corner of Africa, right across from Spain, which you can see from certain ports of Morocco. Morocco has many interesting things to see and do. I especially enjoyed the full night sky, all lite from the desert floor. Riding a Camel was both exciting and scary, Seeing the victims of the recent earthquake and how are coping was a learning experience. Traveling through the country by bus, plane and bullet train was hectic, but interesting. Morocco is a country worth seeing and you can so at a reasonable amount of money. I recommend seeing the country, but if possible, tour the country with someone that speaks the language. Thank You Joe Ruggiero

We recently experienced an unforgettable Moroccan adventure provided by DC Internationals for our intimate group of 20 people. Ross, a former U.S. Fulbright Morocco Scholar, did an exceptional job coordinating air flights / hotels / transportation, arranging unique activities that enhanced the vacation and providing access to fluid communication throughout the journey. In just under 2 weeks, our group traveled extensively across several areas of Morocco. It was amazing to walk through the old Medinas of Fes and Marrakech, learning about the culture of the people. We had the opportunity to feel the breeze of the Atlantic Ocean in seaside Essouira one day, while the very next, we were riding camels in the middle of the Sahara. What made this an atypical vacation, was the opportunity to engage with a variety of Moroccan citizens. Ross arranged a personal visit with those affected by the recent Atlas Mt. earthquakes where we learned of their daily hardships as they extended their hospitality by way of customary foods and conversation. Another evening, we engaged with a very generous family who offered traditional Tajine cuisine in their home. Professional tour guides / lectures enlightened us with information regarding Moroccan religion, vocations and lifestyles making the trip educational as well as enjoyable. Ross’s goal was to ensure that we left Morocco with a sense of the whole country from the vast geographical differences down to the life of the true Moroccan person whether they were from a small village or a traditional Medina. He was a terrific leader who made the trip extraordinary.

I thoroughly enjoyed my recent visit to Morocco as a traveler with a DC Internationals tour led by Ross. Ross spent a year living in Rabat, the capital of Morocco as a Fulbright Fellow about ten years ago and is fluent in both Arabic and Moroccan Arabic. He has wonderful contacts and friends all over the country and we benefited from this very local flavor as a result in the 11 days we were there, which made for exceptional experiences during our stays in Marrakech, Casablanca, Assouria, Tangier, and the desert. Our accommodations were often in the old cities, which was unusual and enjoyable. We met with a fascinating NGO that took us to one of the villages they support in the mountains, and we had dinner in people's homes, as well as in a variety of local restaurants all with delicious food. We experienced Pompei quality mosaics in the easternmost Roman city in the empire that is currently being excavated. We visited the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean and traveled to the desert where we rode camels. I felt like I was on a trip for months b/c of all we saw and did. It was a unique and enjoyable experience.

I had the pleasure of taking the Arabic 1 Standard course with Mesali. I was very hesitant to sign up and commit to a language course on top of my busy work and personal schedule, but am very glad that I did. The instructor was pleasant, knowledgeable, and surprisingly funny! The small class size and engaging teaching style helped keep everyone focused. It gets pretty tiring to sit through a class after working from 9-5, but these classes were a great time. Time and money well spent!

I went on the Morocco trip that occurred in October 2023. We saw and did so much in the 10 days. I really enjoyed the people-to-people experiences that we had. Going to the NGO (HAF) program site outside of Marrakesh was very moving. We received such generous hospitality from people who had lost their homes in the recent earthquake. In Fes, we were able to spend time in a Riyad that was a home (rather than a hotel). The Idrissi's were lovely hosts. In each city, we enjoyed a thorough tour from a local guide who provided history and context. We always ate local food, and it was delicious. Ross provided excellent guidance on what to try or shop for and how to bargain. Each city provided a new culinary experience, whether it was eating in the Market in Marrakesh, fresh sardines in Essoura, cous cous at the Idrissi's, all kinds of tagines and olives, freshly baked bread from a community oven, or sweet treats like ZaaZaa. Watching the sunset in the dunes of the Shara was a singular experience. This is a very active trip. You will really see and experience a lot in the time you are in Morocco.

MESALI classes are top notch. As a student in the beginner Arabic class, I was impressed when my classmates and I were able to read words in script within a few classes while learning a significant amount of vocabulary and constructing sentences at a rapid pace. The classes include quality instruction and are extremely effective at improving language skills quickly. The classes are small and very personalized to the students as well, which has created a fun, productive, and creative learning environment. I highly recommend, sukran MESALI!

I required to maintain proficiency in a language for my work and MESALI is an excellent school to maintain and improve language skills. I took two classes at MESALI over a two year time period and I was able to improve my listening and reading comprehension significantly. I started the first class at a level below meeting standards for my occupation and by the time I finished the second course, I was far exceeding requirements. The school offered various, flexible class options, which was helpful in working around my work and family schedule, and my teacher was excellent. I would highly recommend this school.