Explore two vibrant cultures on this service learning adventure to Spain and Morocco. Start in Spain’s capital city of Madrid, stroll through the elegant Parque El Retiro, and stop for tapas at a sidewalk café. Visit sun-soaked Sevilla, where the scent of orange blossoms lingers in the air, and windsurf along the Costa del Sol. Cross the Straits of Gibraltar to Morocco. Live and work alongside Moroccan villagers to get a glimpse inside their traditional lifestyle. Surf the endless beaches and explore historic Fez and Marrakesh. Journey to a magical desert landscape and embark on a camel ride as the sun sets behind you.
“The experience in Morocco was quite eye-opening! Casey came back and told us that he had never met more generous people in his life!”
— Parent of Casey W.
Arrival in Madrid
Our journey begins in Madrid, the capital of Spain and hub of art, culture and history. We explore the city’s unique neighborhoods, visit its world-renowned museums and palaces and perhaps sample a local specialty, churros con chocolate, at one of the outdoor cafés in the Plaza Mayor.
Spanish Language School and Windsurfing in Andalucía
We continue south to Sevilla in the heart of Andalucía, home of flamenco, bullfighting, whitewashed villages and delicious tapas. We wander its tangled streets and plazas, and study Spanish for two days. We highlight our time in Spain with an exciting day of windsurfing in Tarifa, an area famous for its strong wind and gentle waves.
Chefchaouen and Rif Mountain Community Service
We cross the Straits of Gibraltar by ferry and head to Morocco. We begin our North African visit in the beautiful small town of Chefchaouen, nestled in the Rif Mountains. We hike into the mountains and are welcomed by a local family into their village. We work on an environmental education service project, and make improvements to a local school before hiking out of the mountains to continue our journey.
Fez and Village Homestay
Our next stop is the medieval city of Fez, the oldest of Morocco’s imperial cities, and the symbolic heart of the nation. We explore the old city, stopping at the many markets to admire the wares for sale. We continue to a rural village and for the next several days we contribute to the community by working on various service projects, depending on the needs of the village. We immerse ourselves in the local culture and learn even more about typical Moroccan lifestyle by dividing into small groups and staying with families during our time here.
Surfing the Moroccan Coast and Saharan Camel Trek
We head out to Essaouira on the coast, where we play on the beach and learn to surf in the waves. We take time to explore the vibrant markets and woodworking workshops in the town, which is known as an artists’ haven. We then depart the coast and head out to the edge of the desert. At dusk, we mount camels and ride past huge, drifting expanses of sand dunes into the Sahara Desert in the red glow of the setting sun.
Exploring Marrakesh
Our final leg takes us to Marrakesh, a vibrant melting pot of cultures. We begin our exploration at the heart of the city, the main square Djemaa el Fna, where storytellers, snake charmers, monkeys, musicians, dancers and acrobats all converge. We have time to shop in the markets and peruse the fine ceramics, bright textiles and carpets, jewelry, clothes and leather. We conclude our expedition here with a festive farewell dinner.
