Receiving the Joy in Exploring: Discovering What's Hidden- 05/22/2025

As I start my morning thankful for the day I received, I check out the mountain view as it’s a part of my morning routine. After finishing getting ready for the day, me and Summer head to the living room to have breakfast with our host mom (she’s the best). As always breakfast is amazing and spending time with our mom is one of my favorite things overall on this trip. After breakfast we head to the school to start our day. 

Today’s lecture I would say was the best lecture ever as we did a diplomacy simulation on global issues regarding migration and boarding. Each group had a specific role, and my group was the U.S Department of State. I really enjoyed this simulation, as we got to experience the generalization we can have when it comes to global issues and in what ways we overlook these areas and/or groups. As a digital criminology major, this simulation really puts things into perspective of law and society, and what goes on within the national level. During the simulation there were a lot of negotiations between other countries and organizations based on a crisis of refugees fleeing from persecution based on their religion. This simulation reflected the guest lecture we had last week in regard to border dynamics. It was amazing to actually place what we learned about border dynamics in Morocco into the simulation and see the passion in all of our hearts to attempt to make a solution to the scenario at hand. 

The station of the U.S Department of State during the class simulation

Once we finished our simulation the entire class had a debrief about the impact of the situation and how we connected to it, which I always love to hear others' deep perspective and emotions. After debrief I enjoyed the amazing lunch my homestay mom cooked, which was beetroot, mango and raisin salad, beef meatballs, yogurt and kiwi. After stuffing my face, me and a group of friends went perfume shopping. I went the other day with some other friends, but I went back to buy more and support my friends who didn’t have the chance to go. We traveled to two different shops and had fun trying and buying new sprays for a good price; you can’t beat that.  After spending an hour at the shops, we headed back for our last guest lecture about religion and politics. 

The perfume crew of the day: Summer, Lillian, Janelly and Tamera

The beautiful sunset view of Meknes from my homestay. Truly one of the best views!

Lecture was filled with lots of information, and once the guest presenter had finished, me and Summer headed back to our homestay. As the evening winded down I spent some downtime with myself, doing my devotional and taking a view of the city of Meknes. At 9 o’clock, it was time for dinner, and we had quiche, beef and potatoes and cucumber salad. The quiche was the best I’ve ever had and everything else was delicious as always. My homestay mom is a comedian so there were a lot of jokes being passed around at the table. Overall, today involved a lot of exploring, and as I am on this study abroad trip, I continue to find the goodness and appreciation that comes out of this experience, Morocco as a country and even those I am blessed to have around me. Make sure to tune into the next day!

Me excited to dig into the dinner my host mom cooked!! (I know you want some)

Signing off,

Daisha L.