Episode Four: Morocco Through New Eyes

Salam, dear listeners! I hope you are all doing well. In this episode, I welcome back my friend Ustadha Raja for the second part of our conversation. Ustadha Raja is a Fulbright alumna and an Arab Literature, Language, and Culture Instructor at the Judy Genshaft Honors College at the University of South Florida. She is also the founder and director of Arabic Khatawwat (Steps), an Arabic language and culture program. 

We continue where we left off last week, and Raja shares how the experience of living between Morocco and the U.S. for the last 15 years inspired her to create Khatawaat study abroad, a linguistic and cultural immersion program based in Morocco. Raja reveals how bringing students to Morocco has allowed her to see Morocco through new eyes and given her a new understanding of her country. Additionally, she shares some of the methods she uses to immerse students in Moroccan local life, such as welcoming them to her family gatherings, banning shopping for the first few days of the program, and encouraging students to become independent (including learning how to fix their phones in Morocco and make their own photocopies!) We discuss how her approach to language learning helps students to become members of a community and leave with a fuller understanding of Morocco. 

Raja organizes summer study abroad through Arabic Khatawaat in Morocco every year, so if you are interested in participating in the unique experiences (plus more surprises!) that we discussed today, then I would highly encourage you to check it out. In the meantime, Arabic Khatawaat is currently accepting applicants for virtual fall language and cultural classes. Classes are available for Arabic learners of all levels. To learn more and register, you can visit www.arabickhatawaat.com. 

To receive updates on the podcast and learn more about my Arabic journey, Darija, and Moroccan culture, you can follow me on Instagram @salamzinazwina. I would also be happy to hear your thoughts and answer any questions about today’s episode.

Here are some of the words and expressions featured in this episode: 

المحيط ديالي والبيئة ديالي  - My surroundings and my environment

استثناءات-Exceptions

زعفانة -Angry/upset 

 فين تمشي فين تجي-Geographical awareness, street smarts

جيتي عاود تاني- You are here again, here in a joking/ sarcastic context

ماشي غير الهضرة- It is not just talk 

كان خاسر لها التليفون ديالها - Her phone was broken or not working  

عن القصد  - Intentionally 

خليتها تغذب - I let her struggle

التفاعل -Interaction 

حوارات محدودة- Limited conversations

ما كتهمنش- It does not pertain to me or interest me

العقلية- Mentality 

الواعي - Awareness

كينغامس- To immerse

كنشرط على رأسي - I set a rule or condition

خلي فلوسكم في جيبكم - Save your money, or I'll pay for it 

غادي نهرس لكم البرنامج-  I am going going to break the schedule 

الوقت الزمني ديال الثقافة- Culture timeline 

طريقة تلقائية - Spontaneous way

لهجات مختلفة ولكنات مختلفة - Different dialects and accents 

 تخاصمات و تصالحات- She has lived many different emotional experiences  

الجرأة- Bravery/Boldness/Courage 

القابلية-Capability 

كفوئ- Comptent 

كتزعزع- To shake/ agitate /to stir up 

حافز- Motivation

الذنب  - Guilt

خديت راحتي معاك- I made myself comfortable or at home with you