I am not sure when or how my love for travel developed but I have found it to be a driving force in my life and the thing that I look forward to the most. The opportunity to come to Morocco and experience a culture so vibrant and colorful was extremely enticing.

So when my global studies professor recommended I apply for this program I responded with an immediate and resounding “yes!” With only a couple days left of this trip, I am marveling at how fast time flies, and how much you can grow from just two months.

I am beyond grateful to Morocco, its people and land for welcoming me, and to the High Atlas Foundation for showing me what it means to serve those around us in a genuine and careful way.

The term “global development” can seem so broad and abstract, however I feel this experience really opened my eyes to what development encompasses and the importance of beneficiary control. From the very beginning of this trip, we witnessed participatory development in action by visiting the psycho-social workshops and cooperatives.

HAF is always thinking about the desires and values of a community even in the midst of outside pressures from donors or other institutions. Though difficult, I admire HAF’s ability to let go of opportunities or upset donors to stand firm for their community partners.

Additionally, HAF places a heavy emphasis on the power of writing and the impact it can have on both the reader and writer. My love for reading and writing has significantly grown due to all of the research I have been conducting on development topics.

Getting to see the inner workings of a development organization has been especially rewarding. Through this experience, I have learned more about the preparations, meetings, and drafting that goes into implementing projects.

Additionally, I've been touched by the kindness of the HAF staff and their willingness to welcome us into their space. Every encounter, whether long or short, reflected an openness I have found to exist in the greater Moroccan population. Their smiles gave me a warmth that enhanced my desire to come to the office and work alongside such determined and passionate people.

Since we were not permitted to travel outside of Morocco for this program, we spent most of our weekends exploring the different regions of the country. From Essouria all the way to Tangier, we hiked up mountains, laid on the beach, and ventured through the Sahara. Among my best memories of Morocco was our visit to Aghbar.

Our second rural stay, one that I anticipated to be very challenging, turned out to be one of my favorite experiences in Morocco, and one that I have learned the most from. Upon arriving at Aghbar, the villagers welcomed us with arms so open I wondered how they had the strength to hold their embrace.

Their beautiful melodies wrapped around me like a warm hug, and their smiles were contagious and bright. They held us for so long and their hands refused to give out. They allowed us to join them in song and dance, and dressed us in their traditional garments. This experience is one out of many that I will continue to reflect on and cherish.

It feels like just yesterday when I waved goodbye to my family and boarded a plane bound for Marrakech. Prior to coming to Morocco, I received countless remarks from professors, friends, and family who excitedly told me how much this experience would grow me and how much I would learn about myself.

Indeed they were right - I will walk away from this trip with a new perspective on global development, an appreciation for Morocco's vibrant culture, and a better understanding of myself and the world.

With that being said, I want to express my gratitude to both Morocco and the High Atlas Foundation for welcoming me, challenging me, and teaching me.