A 29-Day Educators' Travel Seminar through Morocco
May 31-June 29, 2019
(a Fulbright-Hays Group Project Abroad for educators organized by the University of Arizona Center for Middle Eastern Studies)
Description of the Program:
"Morocco: Bridging Cultures and Continents" is a FUNDED curriculum development program for K-12 and community college educators in the fields of Social Studies, Humanities, English/Language Arts, Foreign Language, and the Fine Arts. The program will focus on the long history of cultural ties between Morocco and the Iberian Peninsula - though we plan to look at Moroccan culture, language, history, geography, and society from a broader perspective. The program will be led by Hicham Assaoui, an Arabic language pedagogy expert and native of Morocco, and Lisa Adeli, an historian and specialist in teaching about the Middle East. To learn more about Hicham, CLICK HERE. To learn more about Lisa and the outreach work of CMES, CLICK HERE.
The program is an intensive travel and study experience. CLICK HERE for a tentative itinerary. Be sure to look at the itinerary to see if this is something you want to do! Participants will travel throughout the country, visit cultural sites and museums, hear lectures by distinguished presenters, participate in Arabic language learning sessions, attend performances and cultural events, and hone their curriculum development ideas in group pedagogy sessions. Note: The program involves a great deal of traveling and a lot of walking (sometimes outside in hot weather).
Program Requirements:
- Participate in an online pre-travel program that includes readings, recorded talks, travel orientation and 20 hours of Arabic instruction (including some Skype meetings).
- Participate fully in the travel abroad seminar. Important note: Fulbright-Hays rules do NOT allow family members or friends to accompany or join us for any part of the program (though participants may arrange their airline ticket to meet them AFTER the conclusion of the program).
- Following the abroad travel, participants must (1) create a curriculum unit or project written in such a way that other educators at the same teaching level/content area can use it, (2) create a short Arabic language module or integrate material about the Arabic language into the curriculum, and (3) give at least one talk at an educators' conference or community group (such as a public library, community service group meeting, or house of worship).
Who Is Eligible to Apply:
You are eligible to apply if you fulfill ALL of the following requirements:
- You are a FULL-TIME K-12 teacher or administrator in a public, private, or charter school OR a full-time community college educator.
- You are available to travel from May 31-June 29, 2019.
- You teach Social Studies/Social Sciences, English/Language Arts, Foreign Language (especially Spanish or Arabic), or Fine Arts.
- You teach in the U.S. and have U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.
- You demonstrate that you can integrate what you learn into your curriculum.
- You are committed to professional development and sharing what you learn with others.
If you have any questions about your eligibility, please contact Lisa Adeli - adeli@email.arizona.edu - before applying.
Logistics and Other Notes about the Program:
Expenses Covered by Grant Funding:
- Airline reservations from a hub city near the participant's home. (We will all fly together on May 29, but participants will have the option of making the return reservation at a later date, in case they want to travel in Europe or Africa - at their own expense - after the conclusion of the program.)
- Double-occupancy hotel accommodations at safe, air-conditioned, comfortable, hotels.
- All breakfasts and some lunches and dinners. (In addition to group meals, participants will receive a stipend toward the cost of meals.)
- Transportation - mostly by private mini-bus - in-country.
- Local guides and trip leaders.
- All agency fees.
- Honoraria for speakers.
- Entrance fees to museums, sites, and performances.
- Some funding toward the purchase of classroom/curriculum development materials.
Expenses Covered by Selected Participants:
- $1,200 cost share - due by Feb. 15, 2019. Note: This is refundable only if a participant withdraws in time to find a qualified replacement (There will be an alternate list.) and if program expenses haven't already been incurred.
- Expenses traveling to a hub airport near participants' home
- The costs of food expenses over and above the stipend given for meals
- Personal expenses/purchases while traveling
- The cost of obtaining a passport (for those who don't already have one)
- The price of short-term travel insurance
A Note on the Organization of the Program:
- This program seeks a diverse pool of applicants. People of all racial/ethnic backgrounds, religions, and genders are invited to participate. After selection for the program, be sure to notify the project directors in advance of any special needs (dietary, housing, etc.).
To Apply:
- a cover page - CLICK HERE
- a CV
- an essay/statement of purpose - CLICK HERE FOR INSTRUCTIONS
