Welcome to the best website for information about Peace Corps Morocco! If you’re thinking about volunteering in Morocco, you found the right place. We’ll tell you about the history of Peace Corps in Morocco. We’ll also explore Morocco as a country. You can learn the languages spoken there. You can also read about other volunteers’ experiences. Here you can find info on safety and health too. We’ll also share how to contact former Peace Corps volunteers who were in Morocco. Get ready to learn more to help decide if volunteering in Morocco is good for you.
Volunteers in Morocco work on projects in Youth in Development (leaves in September).
What is the History of Peace Corps Morocco?
Since 1963, the Peace Corps has been a friend to Morocco. For 60 years, volunteers have come to share their knowledge and learn from Moroccans. Morocco was one of the first countries to host Peace Corps volunteers. More than 5,000 dedicated people have joined this mission. That’s a lot! In the 1970s, there were over 300 volunteers in Morocco every year.
The main jobs volunteers have done are teaching English, health education, working with youth, environmental work, and small business development. For example, volunteers taught English in schools to improve English learning. They worked in clinics and communities to teach about health. The Peace Corps in Morocco doesn’t sit still. Volunteers teach English, empower women, and more. They’ve led workshops, supported healthcare, and used technology to bring new opportunities. The story continues, with a history of cooperation and growth, making Morocco and the Peace Corps partners in progress.
What about Morocco as a nation?
Morocco is a country with a lot of diversity and a long history and culture. It has been an independent kingdom since 1956 and has a king but also some elected leaders. Islam is the main religion. Morocco has a growing economy. It has worked on modernizing and using more technology in recent decades. But many people are still poor. Geographically, Morocco has incredible diversity. There are the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert. And it has coastlines along the Mediterranean and Atlantic. Politically, Morocco is quite stable compared to many nearby countries. Its diversity, history, culture, and geography make Morocco a unique and fascinating nation.
What languages do they speak in Morocco?
In Morocco, people speak several languages, but two are especially important. Arabic is the official language, used in government and schools. But many Moroccans also speak Berber, the language of the native Amazigh people. In daily life, you’ll find a mix of these languages, creating a unique blend.
During their service in Morocco, Peace Corps volunteers learn to speak Moroccan Arabic (Darija). Some Volunteers also learn to speak local languages, including Tachelhit or Tamzight.
How safe is it serve as a volunteer in Morocco?
In general, 92% of volunteers felt safe or very safe where they lived in Morocco. And 93% felt safe or very safe where they worked. 12% of volunteers early terminated mostly due to resignation or medical reasons. But more detailed information about safety compared to other Peace Corps countries can be found in the Morocco Crime, Harassment, and Early Termination of Service Data.
Most of the medical problems seen in Morocco are also found in the United States. For Volunteers, these problems may be more frequent or compounded by life in Morocco because local factors raise the risk of or exacerbate the severity of certain illnesses.
The medical problems specific to Morocco are:
- colds and flu
- diarrhea
- skin infections
- minor injuries
- dental problems
- sexually transmitted infections
- Hepatitis A, B
- rabies
- food poisoning
- parasitic infections and dysentery
- Guinea worms and tapeworms
- typhoid fever.
Health problems also can result from local environmental factors, such as dust, humidity, insects, and disease-producing microorganisms.
But more detailed information about health related issues at Peace Corps Morocco can be found in the Morocco Health and Medical Care Summary.
What do volunteers think of serving in Morocco?
Since 1975, the Annual Volunteer Survey has been a source of information on the state of the Peace Corps (PC) program for the agency, Congress, researchers, the media, and the general public. In 2019, 82% of volunteers found their overall Peace Corps service rewarding or very rewarding. 78% of volunteers would still make the same decision to serve with the Peace Corps today. 83% of volunteers would recommend Peace Corps service to others. More information can be found in the Morocco Annual Volunteer Survey Satisfaction Results.
Where can I learn more about Peace Corps Morocco volunteer experiences?
PCV blogs and YouTube channels offer a unique look into the daily life of volunteers serving in Morocco. These blogs and channels can help you understand the challenges and triumphs that come with being a volunteer. Explore these links for inspiring stories and practical advice from current and past volunteers.
Blog and YouTube Channel Links:
- Emily (2022-24) YD interview
- Caitlyn (2016-19) YD
- Many contributors 2018 to 2019
- William (2016-18) YD
- Ilana (2018-20) YD
- Aaron & Jasa (2018-20) YD
If you’re interested in learning more about serving in Morocco, I’ve got you covered! Click here to see all of my posts about Peace Corps Morocco with details on the experience, culture, food, packing tips, and more.
How can I connect with Returned PCVs who served in Morocco?
And where can I find official information about Peace Corps Morocco?
- PeaceCorps.gov/Morocco
- Projects in Morocco
- Stories from Morocco
- Preparing to Volunteer
- Living Conditions
- Training
- Health
- Safety and Security
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Packing Guidance
This is an old PC publication called “The Peace Corps Welcomes You to Morocco“, published in 2015. In the past, before the internet, this is how volunteers learned more about Morocco. Even though it is many years old, there is still a lot of good information there. You can download it here but remember it is just for informational purposes. For up-to-date information, always check with you Peace Corps contacts and staff.
Conclusion
This blog post gave you information to help decide if volunteering in Morocco is a good fit. You learned about the culture, languages, and development of Morocco. We also discussed safety issues and health info important for volunteers. And, we shared how to contact former Peace Corps volunteers. For more on Peace Corps Morocco, you can check the Peace Corps website or the resources here. We hope this post was useful for finding information on Peace Corps Morocco.
The content of this post does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Government, the Peace Corps, or the Morocco Government.
