2020 La Salle II Morocco Cultural Journey

Dear Families, Friends, and Travelers – Welcome to the 2020 LaSalle II Morocco Cultural Journey ! We have created two webpages dedicated to this exciting program so that travelers are as informed as possible throughout the process. The first page, Pre-Enrollment, is meant to share exciting details, highlights and pertinent info that participants will want to know before enrolling. Once enrolled, the Post-Enrollment page, is meant to prepare travelers for participation on the adventure ahead. Please be sure to review the information on the appropriate page thoroughly and we can't wait to start our enriching adventure!
Travel Dates: April 11, 2020 - April 20, 2020
Dates are tentative
Group Organizer(s):
WTT Contact:
Program Tuition: $4,200 USD
Deadline(s): To be determined

What to Expect

Please read through all of the information below. More details will be added as your departure draws closer.

Itinerary

We do everything possible to run safe, engaging, and immersive programs for our travelers and given the unpredictable nature of international travel we must remain flexible in our planning. Changes to a schedule are uncommon but, we reserve the right to adjust programming in the best interest of the group. 

DayLocationDescriptionLodging
1USA - MoroccoToday the group will depart the USA and cross the Atlantic Ocean!Airplane
2CasablancaStudents will arrive in Casablanca and be privately transported back to their hotel where a short Darija (Moroccan Arabic) orientation will be presented to them by our Moroccan program leaders! Lunch and/or dinner will follow.Casablanca Hotel
3CasablancaAfter breakfast around mid-morning, students will start their Moroccan adventure by visiting the Hassan II Mosque; the largest mosque in Morocco and the 13th largest in the world (its minaret is the world's tallest at 689 ft.). The walls are composed of handcrafted marble and the roof is retractable; it also stands on a promontory looking out to the Atlantic Ocean, allowing worshippers to pray over the sea. Students will take a guided tour inside the mosque and then pair up in groups to photograph and explore it’s stunning exterior architecture. Afterwards, the students will have lunch and then set off to discover the Habous and the Old Medina of Casablanca.Casablanca Hotel
4Casablanca - MarrakechAfter breakfast the group will travel South to Marrakech! After checking into the riad, students will have the afternoon to participate in group reflection activities, come together for a Q & A and play a game with group organizers and leaders. Dinner will be served in the old medina on an open rooftop terrace.Marrakech Riad
5MarrakechAfter breakfast the group will set out to explore Marrakech's old medina. With the help a local guide, the students will visit Bahia Palace and the souk. Everyone will also have the chance to walk through and view Jemaa el-Fna, the famous "main square", all while being educated on Marrakech's rich cultural history! Afterwards we will have lunch in the medina and then walk through Menara Garden.Marrakech Riad
6MarrakechMid-morningAt 8am the group will set out to experience the alchemy of scents, flavors and traditions that make Moroccan cuisine so special by participating in a hands on cooking class for lunch. Come afternoon, students will have the option to take part in a centuries old tradition: a local artisan will join the students in their riad’s common area for traditional henna tattooing and Moroccan mint tea! Marrakech Riad
7OurikaOur second to last day will be spent in the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains! The students will enjoy fresh air outside the city limits of Marrakech, where we will eat local tagines and hike.Marrakech Riad
8MarrakechOur day will start by walking through La Maison de la Photographie and having lunch on their
rooftop that overlooks the High Atlas. The afternon will be open for exploring Marrakech's
world famous market. At this time the students will enjoy souvenir shopping and time to practice their arabic!
Marrakech Riad
9Marrakech Depending on which airport the group flies out of we will plan accordingly for their last day.Marrakech Riad/Casablanca Hotel
10Moroccan Airport - USADeparture back to the USAYour own bed, eventually!

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Accommodations

In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing program accommodations. Walking Tree partners with hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, clean and safe.  We vet and inspect the accommodations to ensure they uphold the ethos of our programs, are great values for our travelers and nice places to rest after enriching days of travel.  

Below are the accommodations we anticipate using on your trip, subject to availability. 
Zarautz Albergue

Centrally located 3-star hostel that is run by town council. Zarautz Albergue is a dorm-style hostel that strives to help the environment by implementing a sustainability policy to reduce our carbon footprint. The rooms can sleep 4-8 students with shared bathrooms.

 

Melliber Hotel Casablanca

For its ideal location in Casablanca, next to the sea. The Melliber Appart Hotel is a beautiful building that has all the commodities to make your stay unforgettable. Free Wi-Fi found throughout the building will keep everyone connected. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender.

Riad Aladdin

This authentic traditional Southern Moroccan house offers you a complete immersion in the heart of the Medina, with the combination of an exceptional location, comfortable rooms, and a large terrace with a panoramic view over the red town, the Atlas Mountains and the storks. Enjoy the infinity pool and hydromassage jet system as well! Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel to keep everyone connected. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender.

Group Flight

Once your flight has been confirmed, the itinerary will appear here.

Walking Tree will secure a seat on the group flight for each participant unless otherwise instructed.

Travelers are responsible for checked baggage fees. Please visit the airline’s baggage webpage to learn if you should expect to pay anything.

We will provide a group manifest – complete with reservation codes and ticket numbers – to the Group Organizer/s before departure, and travelers will need to check in at the airport in order to receive their boarding pass and have documents verified. We recommend arriving no later than three hours prior to the scheduled departure, but contact your Group Organizer for specific details on exactly where and when to meet on the day of departure.

FLIGHT INTERRUPTION, DELAY OR CANCELLATION 
Air travel can be unpredictable.  Regardless of proper planning, there may still be instances when a flight is delayed or cancelled due to staffing shortages, weather, mechanical problems, etc.  Please note that in such an event, Walking Tree Travel (WTT) is not financially responsible for unanticipated costs incurred by travelers en route.  Our programs officially begin and end in the destination country, and because our staff doesn’t fly with the group, Group Organizers (the traveling faculty member/s) become the front-line advocate for the group in the event of a delay. In most cases of cancellations or delays, the airline will be the one who re-books travel or possibly arranges a hotel and food the night.  Our primary role will be to  keep families updated and provide support to the Group Organizer to reach a  quick and effective resolution.

Host Community and Project Details

Packing List

What follows is a sample packing list but you know yourself better than we do so please adjust accordingly. We recommend you bring a larger piece of luggage like a roller, duffel bag, or backpack, as well as a smaller backpack that you can bring on daily outings, weekend excursions and shorter activities.

“Less is more” is a packing tip we encourage for all our travelers. The list below should cover everything you would need, but know yourself and what you are comfortable traveling with.  We suggest bringing only as much as you would be able to carry on your own.

Finally, we recommend consulting a weather forecast for your destination. 

Most importantly, be sure to remember your PASSPORT!

What to wear in Morocco?

The answer to this varies widely. You are not required to dress in one way or another. People that live in Morocco dress in a wide variety of ways and do not expect visitors to dress as they do. With that being said, it is always a good idea to dress more modestly than you may at home.

For female students and parents: The most common question we get “is there a dress code for women in Morocco?”. How to dress in Morocco as a woman is a question that plagues a lot of female visitors. You do not need to dress the same as local women. Morocco has no laws on dress codes regarding what women must wear. Morocco is an Islamic country, so it is more on the conservative side and it’s better to dress a bit more modestly than you usually do. In large cities like Casablanca, local women dress in a wide variety of styles. You’ll see short shorts and tank tops; you’ll also see full body veils. In more rural communities, like Chefchaouen, it is highly advisable to cover up more. Wear longer shorts or pants and skip the tank tops (or at least drape a large scarf over your chest and shoulders when you are in smaller communities). There is a strong likelihood that you will attract unwanted attention the more exposed you are.

*Please bring a bathing suit suitable to wear underneath a wetsuit (for surfing) for our time in Essaouira! Please note that walking to and from the beach everyone will want to wear their normal clothes, not cover-ups. Also, please note that Essaouira can be cold and windy. Students may want to carry a light rain coat/wind breaker when we are walking around. Once the sun goes down it can become quite chilly! It’s always a good idea to have a hat on you (due to the cold/wind) and a sweatshirt during all seasons when traveling to Essaouira. Students will also want to wear long jeans/pants for camel rides!*

CLOTHES:

  • 6-8 pairs of underwear
  • 6-8 pairs of socks (preferably breathable and/or lightweight)
  • 4-6 T-shirts
  • 2 long sleeve shirts (preferably lightweight)
  • 1 light sweater or sweatshirt (for evenings in Tangier and Chefchaouen)
  • 1 light rain jacket/wind breaker (for Chefchaouen)
  • 2-4 pairs of travel/athletic shorts/pants that are breathable and light
  • 2-3 pairs of comfortable/hiking/everyday pants
  • 1 pair of jeans
  • 1 dressy/casual outfit to be worn to more formal dinners
  • 1 bathing suit (When we are going to and from the beach everyone will want to wear their normal clothes, not cover-ups.)
  • 1 pair of durable tennis shoes
  • 1 pair of sandals
  • 1 hat
  • 1 lightweight backpack or pouch
  • We advise girls to bring a scarf to cover their hair for when we visit the Hassan II mosque. It is not mandatory, but respectful.

TOILETRIES:

Please bring all your basic toiletries that you would normally travel with. In case you need a guideline, below are things not to forget:

  • Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash
  • Hair brush and/or comb (+ hair ties, barrettes + bobby pins)
  • Deodorant
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Sunscreen (50+ SPF).
  • Mosquito repellant
  • Face wash
  • A light moisturizer/lotion
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Band Aids and Neosporin
  • Prescription medication in properly marked original container(s)

MISCELLANEOUS:

  • Passport (keep a picture of you information page of your passport and one of the page with your entry stamp)
  • Sunglasses
  • Journal and pen
  • Book (optional)
  • Camera (digital/disposable/waterproof)
  • European power adapter
  • Debit card or US Dollars (for desired souvenirs, extra items etc.)
  • Durable and lightweight water bottle
  • 1 quick-dry towel
  • Deck of cards or other portable games

Support Team

At a minimum, one experienced Program Leader will travel on every trip. In addition to this full time leadership presence, Walking Tree has additional support staff in all destinations and 24/7 support from our headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Below you’ll find a list of the team members involved in the planning, organizing, and leadership of your program.

Said Ait Said
Said Ait Said
Morocco Country Director & Program Leader


ISTA NTIC Syba Ofppt, Marrakech

Said is from a Berber village in the High Atlas Mountains, but was raised in Marrakech, Morocco. In 2013 he started managing touristic accommodations and excursions for travelers in Morocco. He currently lives in Marrakech with his wife and two children. They are a combination of Berber, Moroccan and American; speaking English, French, Arabic and Tamazighit. They enjoy traveling and embracing their multi-cultural lifestyle!

Nicole Kirchner
Nicole Kirchner
Educational Partnerships - Denver, CO


West Chester University-B.S. Elementary Education  
School for International Training (SIT)-M.A. International Education

Nicole grew up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Amish country, and has always been accustomed to seeing a culture unlike her own. Since her first international experience at 4 years old, she has been intrigued by exploring foreign places. However, it was a study abroad program when she felt the power of international travel. After working 2-years for an inner-city, public school she felt something was missing. Nicole moved to Cusco, Peru, obtained her TEFL Certification, and taught English. Recognizing the value and impact of intercultural experiences, she returned stateside to obtain her Master Degree. After interning with an NGO in Haiti, she backpacked through Central America and fell in love with Guatemala. A life-changing 4 years later of living and working abroad at a private school, she returned to the States with her adopted dog Timo. Nicole is thrilled to call Denver home, and looks forward to hiking with her dog and the changing seasons.

Group Roster

Below is a list of the travelers enrolled on the program.

Blog and Communication

During travel we will work hard to keep families updated as frequently as possible with blogs and photos, giving you peace of mind that your traveler is safe and thriving on their program.  Students regularly contribute to these posts, giving parents a great way to vicariously track the progress of the trip. You will receive an email notification when the first blog is posted, after which we recommend you check in regularly via the black “Program Blog” button at the top of this page.

Beyond this proactive approach to communication during the trip, most destinations are wired enough to allow participants semi-regular access to WiFi so you can also expect to communicate with your traveler directly. Ask your Walking Tree representative about the degree of connectivity on your program.

 

GLC Curriculum

Walking Tree has developed a curriculum of activities meant to help travelers get the most out of their trip before departure, during travel and after they return home. These simple and engaging activities are meant to spark discussion, frame experiences, and prepare participants to travel ethically and effectively both on this trip and on future adventures.

For more information about student learning objectives and the format of the curriculum, click on the ‘learn more’ button below.

Learn More About the GLC

To view and complete the Pre-Program Activities, visit our online portal at the button below.

Pre-Program Activity Portal

Standards of Behavior

In order to run a safe and successful program, it is important that we create an environment of trust, security and respect. All individuals participating in our programs are required to take responsibility for their actions and adhere to a high standard of behavioral conduct.

ABSOLUTE DISMISSAL

  1.  Possessing, consuming or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
  2. Associating with participants while they are in possession of, or are consuming, or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
  3. Behaving in a way that consistently damages the group dynamic or jeopardizes personal or group safety.
  4. This includes consistently displaying a negative attitude, intimidating or excluding other participants, sneaking out, disobeying group leaders, and any other behavior that is not conducive to an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.

GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL OR IN-COUNTRY CONSEQUENCE

  1. Getting a piercing or tattoo.
  2. Stealing, or deliberately damaging or defacing any personal property, buildings or materials.
  3. Threatening physical or emotional harm, or brandishing a weapon.
  4. Possessing, consuming, or distributing tobacco or nicotine, including vape pens.
  5. Riding mopeds, motorcycles, or any other type of unauthorized vehicle.
  6. Being out of designated area or accommodations after curfew.
  7. Breaking group rules.

These standards of behavior are essential for the successful completion of your program. Please take the time to review these as a family and make sure everyone understands and agrees to them.

Health and Safety

We strongly recommend visiting the CDC Morocco website to get the most updated information on health and vaccination considerations in your destination country. In addition, we encourage you to consult with your personal family physician so you can be as informed as possible when making important decisions about vaccinations and other necessary health-related preparations before travel.

Our in-country staff prepare meticulously for all programs. Walking Tree will register our programs and travelers with the U.S. Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) in case of emergency. In country staff also verify the safety records of our partner organizations, vendors, and transportation providers, thoroughly vet homestay families via in depth interviews and home visits, and keep up on important current events in the region.

Program Leaders are seasoned travelers who are CPR and First Aid certified, undergo thorough training in crisis management, and participate in a multi-day leadership training retreat. We do our best to prepare for any eventuality and have detailed emergency protocols for our leaders, in-country staff and U.S.-based staff.

We receive medical disclosures from all participants to ensure we are able to meet every students’ needs during the program. Please inform us immediately of any additional health issues that you did not list during your initial registration process. Program Leaders will also hold an online information session before your departure, as well as an arrival orientation in-country, in order to give participants important instructions on food safety, hygiene and preventing injury and illness. Leaders and in-country staff always respond immediately to any mental, physical or emotional health issues and follow comprehensive emergency protocols.

Insurance

While we work hard to ensure the safest experience possible for our travelers on program, experience teaches that travel is never without risk. For this reason, we recommend that all travelers consider a travel insurance policy with  two additional provisions: Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) and Bed Rest. Detailed explanations of both provisions can be found on the link below.

To provide families with a quality option, Walking Tree has partnered with Travel Insured International, one of the most respected providers in the industry.  Begin by getting a quote here.

IMPORTANT NOTE: in order to secure coverage with CFAR included, you must purchase the plan within 21 days of your deposit/first payment. You must also insure 100% of your trip cost, so program tuition + flight.

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