Maryville College in Morocco

Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco is a very unique university in regards to higher education in Morocco.  It is the only private not-for-profit university in Morocco.  Thus, it is very different to the other universities in the state.  Based on much of what I have read, Al Akhawayn University is very similar to private higher education institutions in the United States.

The amount of work it takes to get into the higher education system in Morocco is very high, and it’s a very competitive process to get into the system, so I would imagine that the workload at Al Akhawayn University is about the same or more than the workload at Maryville College.  The culture in the classroom is very professional.  One must always address faculty and staff as Ms., Mrs., Mr., Dr., and etc.  This culture is very similar to Maryville College when it comes to the address of professors but is a bit stricter when it comes to addressing staff.  I am on a first name basis with several staff members on MC campus, but I know that this will not be the case whilst in Morocco.  Additionally, the flow of the semester is very similar.  The semester is a bit longer than our spring semester at MC (January 19-May 12 (including exams)), but we do get a spring break for a week in March.  Expectations, again, seem to be relatively high for students at the university just like at home.  Attendance policies are even stricter in Morocco than at MC.  For example, an absence must be excused or a grade deduction is received.  Additionally, one can only receive three absences for a Tuesday/Thursday class and only five absences for a Monday/Wednesday/Friday class in order to still pass the class.

Credits are, again, very similar at Al Akhawayn to the system at MC.  Classes are usually worth about three credits unless a lab or extra requirements are imposed outside of class time.  Classes will meet at similar times as at MC starting at 8am and ending traditionally around 3:30pm with some night classes.  Most students take around five classes each semester, which is about 17 credit hours; however, as an international student it’s acceptable to take four classes to less the load and travel a bit while abroad.  The credits in Morocco should transfer over as 17 credits in Morocco= 17-18 hours in Maryville.

Luckily, the grading system in Morocco is exactly the same to the grading system at Maryville.  I won’t have to worry too much about transferring the classes over as grades different than what they would normally be.  Support at Al Akhawayn University does not seem as extensive as the academic support at MC.  They have a writing center where you can get help with papers, but a tutoring system does not seem to be set up as we have here.

Being a full time student at both universities is at 12 hours each semester.  Which is between 3 and 4 classes depending on the credits.  However, as stated earlier, the majority of students take around 17 hours each semester which is around five classes per semester.

Overall, the two schools are very similar.  There are only a few minor differences in my opinion that change when I go overseas to Morocco.