Moments in Morocco

by Jordan Agabin, M.S.O.T. 鈥23, with Joel Soloway

Checking in from Morocco!

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Greetings! My name is Jordan Agabin, and I recently graduated with my master鈥檚 in occupational therapy (OT). During the final year of my program, I had the incredible opportunity to travel abroad to Morocco for 10 days with a group of fellow OT and physical therapy (PT) students and faculty. Our group stayed on 色香视频鈥檚 Tangier Campus and with host families. It was an incredibly fruitful experience. I was able to learn more about occupational therapy practice in Morocco and connect with local community members.

The Other Side of the Atlantic

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The stunning city of Asilah is located about an hour down the Atlantic coastline from Tangier. I remember taking a beat to myself to truly experience every moment here 鈥 to reflect on how far I鈥檝e come in the OT program and check in with myself. Exploring this city was one of those beautiful, picturesque moments you could only imagine in a dream! The warm sun, complemented by the breezy air and refreshing water, had a similar sensation to what we feel on the opposite side of the Atlantic back home in Maine.

An Overnight in the 鈥淏lue City鈥

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Our OT and PT group spent quality time with host families while visiting Chefchaouen, also known as the 鈥淏lue City,鈥 which is reflected in the architecture and local art. I was welcomed by my host brother for the night. It was incredible to talk with a peer around my age, exchange ideas, and learn more about the culture and what life is like growing up and living in Morocco. My entire host family welcomed me in for a lovely dinner after we explored the city.

Tasty Traditional Moroccan Meals

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I tried so many wonderful and delectable dishes while we were in Morocco. Chicken tagine is a traditional dish of chicken braised with spices, garlic, olives, onions, and lemon. I had this meal numerous times during our trip. Enjoying flavorful North African food is even better when you are seated on the rooftop of a restaurant in Chefchaouen with beautiful views of the 鈥淏lue City鈥 and the towering mountains in the distance.

Practicing OT at the Brotherhood

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While in Tangier, we spent time at the Fraternity Association for People with Disabilities, more commonly referred to as 鈥淭he Brotherhood,鈥 a school for young children. Acknowledging how the language barrier may limit our ability to connect with the students, my peers and faculty instructors came up with the idea to use Boomwhackers as a way to connect with students through the occupation of music. While exploring the occupation of music and play, we were able to develop a special connection with the students.

Enjoying Sunrise from Campus

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I never got over the sight of watching the sunrise each morning from outside my dorm room windows on the Tangier Campus. Wherever you are on campus, the breathtaking views of the city will never cease to amaze you. The campus has a nice blend of modern and classic architecture throughout all the facilities.  Staying in the heart of the city, I was able to easily prepare each day for explorations, immersions, and volunteer work with the local community.

Finding Hope at the Cave of Hercules

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The Cave of Hercules is a historical archeological site that鈥檚 about a 20-minute drive from the 色香视频 campus. Our group was able to explore the cave and admire its beautiful scenery inside and out. It was like something you would see on a postcard. I remember taking a moment to soak in this unbelievable vantage point. Almost eliciting a feeling of hope, the contrast of the dark cave and the fresh, bright blue water made it seem like there was light at the end of the tunnel or life beyond the cave.

Forming Close Bonds

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This picture was taken in front of Cap Spartel at the entrance of the Strait of Gibraltar. Our small group of students and faculty grew closer through the shared experience of exploration, service, and learning. We shared unforgettable memories. It was incredible to process our time in Morocco through the lens of an occupational therapist. The experience broadened my perspective of occupational therapy and energized me to know that the world is more than just the comfort of our hometowns and environments.