Itinerary:

Fly from Chicago to Madrid, and then travel by train to Sevilla and Algeciras. Travel by ferry to the northern coast of Morocco, visit with teachers and students in secondary schools there. Within Morocco, visit Fes, Erfoud/Rissani in the Sahara region, Marrakech, Rabat (travel mode and route to be determined). Travel by train from Rabat to Tangier. Ferry from Tangier to Spanish coast; by train to Granada and Cordoba, returning to Madrid for flight home.

Activities:

The purpose of this trip is to rediscover connections between Andalusian/Maghrebi history and culture, record these rediscoveries, and design curriculum to teach about the region in US secondary schools.

Interested?

• Projected cost is $3000-$3500.
• This is not a “vacation” trip. You’ll be expected to register for an independent study course, participate in extensive pre-trip planning, research, and cultural orientation sessions, and work over the summer on writing curriculum.
• The risk to you physically is minimal, but the travel will be “rough” and at times uncomfortable, and cultural engagement, particularly in Morocco, will be intense.
• Enrollment is limited to 3-4 students. Selection is based on your prior travel experience, commitment to the project and to transcultural dialogue, and what skills (linguistic, photographic, technical) you can bring to the project.
• If interested, contact Mark Dressman (mdressma@illinois.edu) for an application. An information session is being planned and will be announced soon.