Moroccan bacteria caught me at the end of last week and put me into bed for several days. I guess my body just decided to protest against this change of environment. Well, it better get used to it as I won't be going home in quite a while! Seeing matters in a positive way, as I always tend to do, I had an opportunity to see a glimpse of Moroccan health care system during my quick visit at a local hospital. After seeing that, I came to a conclusion that I'd rather stay healthy for the rest of my stay here! :D
So, this little incident has slow me down this past week, but here I am again, full of energy to continue my journey! Would I ever let a harmless disease to come my way and stop me from living this experience? Absolutely not!
In my mind, I'm starting to feel more Moroccan each day. I start to adapt the ways of doing things. Among those is crossing a road without every time being scared of getting hit by cars that drive with no traffic rules. Also, learning that people are not standing calmly in a line and waiting for their turn in the bakery for example. Early bird catches the worm, as they say. Despite my progress, going outside the house, reminds me that I really am not a Moroccan and that I really am from somewhere else. I'm trying my best to learn not to pay attention to those constant looks and acts of trying to start a conversation coming from the opposite sex. In Finland, I'm used to looking at people when walking in the street, but here it's something to be avoided. Or even worse, smiling at a strange is almost a promise of marriage. So, my lesson number one would be learning not to be friendly towards men that I don't know. Hopefully, I won't come back to Finland as a cold, rude b****! :D
This week I started my classes at the school of translation. Don't ask me what a psychology student is doing in a school translation. Apparently, there has been some lack of information between the university of Joensuu and the university of Abdelmalek Essaadi, as here they had understood that I'm a student of translation. But it's no big deal for me. The school is pretty small and people know each other, so it's easy to make friends. With the help of the school director, who has seen a lot of trouble for me, I have managed to choose suitable language classes for me. Tomorrow is my first arabic class, woow! As I still have a lot of freetime, this professor suggested to me that I would do some kind of psychological research on the topic that would be interesting for me. This is not a bad idea and it made me think that I could actually gather some information for my thesis here. It would be very valuable in the terms of cultural comparison.
Weather at the moment is something that we would experience in Finland in June. It's 17-20 c and most of the days are sunny. For Moroccans this is winter and people wear jackets that we would wear in Finland if it was colder than 0 c. They are amused by me sweating in my spring jacket. However, evenings and nights are pretty cold, because the sea is right next to us and cold breeze is blowing from there. One of my dreams has always been living at seaside. Now that I look through the window, it's all in front of my eyes. I can go jogging on the beach and feel the fresh air shivering my senses. Sometimes I'm still asking myself whether I'm dreaming. But I realize that I am not. I'm really here, living my dream from the bottom of my heart and soul.
As I'm writing this, I hear the prayer coming from the mosque from where it comes five times a day. It gives me a sense of calmness even though I may not understand its meaning from the aspect of these people. It also reminds me that maybe there is something greater in this life yet to be discovered by all of us. Whatever it is, we cannot know. The only thing we can do is to believe in something that feels good to us in our soul, not trying to convince others that it's the only right way of believing. May we all find peace in our own way.
See you next time, inchallah!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
My new life
Here I am. Finally in Morocco. Still finding it hard to believe.
It already seems like a such long time since I left Finland a week ago. Leaving is always hard but once you leave, you are filled with excitement about new adventures yet unexperienced. I had no idea what was waiting for me out in the world and I guess that was the best part. I was ready to go.
First, I did a little tour in Europe and went to Brussels and Paris to see some very dear people to me. Thank you for those days that I will not forget. My final destination was approaching and when the plane left Paris, my feelings were very quite mixed. This is it, I thought. There was no turning back anymore.
So, I arrived here three days ago and I'm already starting to feel at home. I guess it's because of the hospitality and friendliness of this people. Everyone is really helpful and want to make me feel at home. For the moment, I'm staying with another Finnish girl Laura who has been here for 4 months already. I must say that I'm really happy about Laura being here and helping me with everything. She sure has been really courageus to come here all by herself not knowing anyone. Now we are looking for a bigger apartement together as I think it's better for both of us to live together, and cheaper as well.
So far only problem is with my studies since almost all the classes are in Arabic. Well, I'm trying to take some Arabic, French and Spanish classes.Maybe I could also go to attend some courses in another town close to Tanger where the university's another department is but that's not for sure yet. Well, most of all, I'm considering this as a cultural experience, which will teach me so many things about life that I wouldn't never learn by attending courses at the university.
So, this is the beginning of my new life. Leaving the past behind. Focusing on the present moment. Not worrying about the future. Just letting life bring me whatever it has planned for me.
It already seems like a such long time since I left Finland a week ago. Leaving is always hard but once you leave, you are filled with excitement about new adventures yet unexperienced. I had no idea what was waiting for me out in the world and I guess that was the best part. I was ready to go.
First, I did a little tour in Europe and went to Brussels and Paris to see some very dear people to me. Thank you for those days that I will not forget. My final destination was approaching and when the plane left Paris, my feelings were very quite mixed. This is it, I thought. There was no turning back anymore.
So, I arrived here three days ago and I'm already starting to feel at home. I guess it's because of the hospitality and friendliness of this people. Everyone is really helpful and want to make me feel at home. For the moment, I'm staying with another Finnish girl Laura who has been here for 4 months already. I must say that I'm really happy about Laura being here and helping me with everything. She sure has been really courageus to come here all by herself not knowing anyone. Now we are looking for a bigger apartement together as I think it's better for both of us to live together, and cheaper as well.
So far only problem is with my studies since almost all the classes are in Arabic. Well, I'm trying to take some Arabic, French and Spanish classes.Maybe I could also go to attend some courses in another town close to Tanger where the university's another department is but that's not for sure yet. Well, most of all, I'm considering this as a cultural experience, which will teach me so many things about life that I wouldn't never learn by attending courses at the university.
So, this is the beginning of my new life. Leaving the past behind. Focusing on the present moment. Not worrying about the future. Just letting life bring me whatever it has planned for me.
Friday, February 1, 2008
But why Morocco?
"What? You're going to do an exchange in Morocco? Why on earth?" This is the reaction I have gotten a few times when I have told someone about my plans. Yes, I know Morocco is certainly not the most popular place to go for an exchange. Wouldn't it be much easier and safer to choose a nice place in Europe, having lots of parties with another Erasmus students? Well, I've been there and done that. Now I feel like it's time to choose paths yet undiscovered.
So, for those who wonder how this all began, I should explain a little more. I can only say, if it wasn't for France, I would not be leaving to Morocco next week. As you know, I have already been on an Erasmus exchange program in Caen, France two years ago. I spent 10 months there studying French and a little bit of psychology. To be honest, that year didn't have much to offer when it comes to my studies. Or even less about French culture! I know it's funny but during that year, I learned more about Moroccan culture than about the French one! Well, what can I say, I just found it much more easier to approach these laid-back and friendly Moroccan people than the French ones that always seemed a bit distant. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against French people. I know it was my fault also that I didn't make enough effort to get to know them more. Well, for everything you lose, you gain something else. Right? So, I may not have made any French friends, but in return, I got to know great people from all around world -thanks for you all making this year one of the best ones in my life! Among those are my lovely Moroccan friends which names I don't have to even mention - I guess you regognize yourselves if you're reading this! :) So, inspired by the friendliness of these people, I traveled to Morocco during my exchange year with a Korean friend (T-Y, I haven't heard anything from you in a long time...!:S) We only traveled for 10 days there, but that time was long enough to make me fall for this culture. I was astonished by the hospitality of Moroccan people and their positive view of life. I certainly realized that we here in the western countries have a lot to learn from them. As I left Morocco, I had a strong feeling that I would be coming back there one day. Only at that time I didn't know that I would not only be visiting Morocco for another time - but actually living there!
I think it was a cold November afternoon in Finland, a half a year after I had gotten back from France, when the ground started burning below my feet (this is a Finnish way of saying it -and it describes my feelings really well!). For the people who know me well, this may not have been a surprise as I'm pretty much known as a restless soul among my friends. Always going somewhere, and if not going, at least planning on going! Trust me, I'm trying my best to find my place in this world -just give me some time, okay! :) Anyway, at that time when I found myself restlessly wandering along the streets of Joensuu, as well as the paths of my mind, I ended up going through all the exchange options that my university has to offer. I was really interested in going to South America as this culture has always been something very fascinating to me. Only there were not many programs available and if there were, they were very expensive. So, I was forced to drop this dream about South America - well, not dropping it actually, just saving it for later!;) Well, I didn't have time to feel sad about this since I soon found something that caught my eye: there were two available places in the university of Abdelmalek Essâadi in Tangér. This is it, I told myself. Without really thinking it further, I filled in all the application forms and asked for the recommendations from the teachers. I was really in a hurry as all the documents had to left within a week and it was at the very last minute when I rushed into the international office to leave my papers, hoping that I hadn't forgotten anything important. So, it was done. From then on, I could only keep my fingers crossed and wait for the answer. I got it before Christmas. Needless to say at this point, it was YES - my university had chosen me as their applicant to Morocco. As far as I understood, there was only me and another girl who had applied for the places, so of course, we were both accepted. For those who don't know, it's a bilateral exchange meaning that we don't pay anything to be part of the program - on the contrary, university gives a scholarship, which in this case is not much, but better than nothing, of course.
Okay, so I was chosen. Then what? I chose to move straightly to the hardest part and break the news to the family. Well, that didn't turn out to be so hard after all as my parents seem to know me just as well as my friends. Their reaction was pretty much like "Oh, Larissa is leaving for an adventure again, what else is new?" Heh. Well, lately they have become a bit concerned as my departure is approaching . But at the same time, they have seen me coming home from the world time after time, always safe and sound. So, I think they pretty much know that I have learned to take care of myself. Thank you for this confidence. Hopefully I won't let you down this time either! ;)
A year has gone by. Faster than I could have imagined. All this time I've been eagerly waiting for my departure, smiling every time when thinking about it and having it as a motivation when my days seem too grey. But at the same time, I've been putting it aside in my mind, thinking that there is still a lot of time: 8 months... 8 weeks... 8 days... pinch me, if this is really happening!
So, for those who wonder how this all began, I should explain a little more. I can only say, if it wasn't for France, I would not be leaving to Morocco next week. As you know, I have already been on an Erasmus exchange program in Caen, France two years ago. I spent 10 months there studying French and a little bit of psychology. To be honest, that year didn't have much to offer when it comes to my studies. Or even less about French culture! I know it's funny but during that year, I learned more about Moroccan culture than about the French one! Well, what can I say, I just found it much more easier to approach these laid-back and friendly Moroccan people than the French ones that always seemed a bit distant. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against French people. I know it was my fault also that I didn't make enough effort to get to know them more. Well, for everything you lose, you gain something else. Right? So, I may not have made any French friends, but in return, I got to know great people from all around world -thanks for you all making this year one of the best ones in my life! Among those are my lovely Moroccan friends which names I don't have to even mention - I guess you regognize yourselves if you're reading this! :) So, inspired by the friendliness of these people, I traveled to Morocco during my exchange year with a Korean friend (T-Y, I haven't heard anything from you in a long time...!:S) We only traveled for 10 days there, but that time was long enough to make me fall for this culture. I was astonished by the hospitality of Moroccan people and their positive view of life. I certainly realized that we here in the western countries have a lot to learn from them. As I left Morocco, I had a strong feeling that I would be coming back there one day. Only at that time I didn't know that I would not only be visiting Morocco for another time - but actually living there!
I think it was a cold November afternoon in Finland, a half a year after I had gotten back from France, when the ground started burning below my feet (this is a Finnish way of saying it -and it describes my feelings really well!). For the people who know me well, this may not have been a surprise as I'm pretty much known as a restless soul among my friends. Always going somewhere, and if not going, at least planning on going! Trust me, I'm trying my best to find my place in this world -just give me some time, okay! :) Anyway, at that time when I found myself restlessly wandering along the streets of Joensuu, as well as the paths of my mind, I ended up going through all the exchange options that my university has to offer. I was really interested in going to South America as this culture has always been something very fascinating to me. Only there were not many programs available and if there were, they were very expensive. So, I was forced to drop this dream about South America - well, not dropping it actually, just saving it for later!;) Well, I didn't have time to feel sad about this since I soon found something that caught my eye: there were two available places in the university of Abdelmalek Essâadi in Tangér. This is it, I told myself. Without really thinking it further, I filled in all the application forms and asked for the recommendations from the teachers. I was really in a hurry as all the documents had to left within a week and it was at the very last minute when I rushed into the international office to leave my papers, hoping that I hadn't forgotten anything important. So, it was done. From then on, I could only keep my fingers crossed and wait for the answer. I got it before Christmas. Needless to say at this point, it was YES - my university had chosen me as their applicant to Morocco. As far as I understood, there was only me and another girl who had applied for the places, so of course, we were both accepted. For those who don't know, it's a bilateral exchange meaning that we don't pay anything to be part of the program - on the contrary, university gives a scholarship, which in this case is not much, but better than nothing, of course.
Okay, so I was chosen. Then what? I chose to move straightly to the hardest part and break the news to the family. Well, that didn't turn out to be so hard after all as my parents seem to know me just as well as my friends. Their reaction was pretty much like "Oh, Larissa is leaving for an adventure again, what else is new?" Heh. Well, lately they have become a bit concerned as my departure is approaching . But at the same time, they have seen me coming home from the world time after time, always safe and sound. So, I think they pretty much know that I have learned to take care of myself. Thank you for this confidence. Hopefully I won't let you down this time either! ;)
A year has gone by. Faster than I could have imagined. All this time I've been eagerly waiting for my departure, smiling every time when thinking about it and having it as a motivation when my days seem too grey. But at the same time, I've been putting it aside in my mind, thinking that there is still a lot of time: 8 months... 8 weeks... 8 days... pinch me, if this is really happening!
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