We had our Peace Corps Morocco Staj 98 conference call last week to find out a little more about expectations, staging and in country training.
The call began with a reminder that we represent the United States while serving, we should conduct ourselves with an attitude of professionalism and understand that we are role models for kids and adults in our community.
We were also reminded that Morocco is a country of extremes in weather. Basically people, it is not all hot and dry. We were warned we needed to have long sleeves and items for layering. Winter will be nipping at our heels as we wrap up our 12 week training and we will need to be prepared (especially since we don’t know where within the country we will be placed).
Staging (or PC Orientation) takes place in Philadelphia on September 19. Due to flight plans, I will be leaving Kentucky on Sunday, September 18 with a direct flight to Philly. Several others in our staj will be arriving that day as well.
Here’s what the rest of schedule looks like:
September 19 – Registration at Noon and Staging activities until 7:00 pm
September 20 – Check out of hotel, board buses and travel approximately 4 hours to JFK. Flight leaves at 8:30 pm with a direct 7 hour flight to Casablanca
September 21 – Arrive Casablanca at 8:20 am and travel to Rabat (capital of Morocco) where we will hand over one of our two bags
Week 1 of Training – spent in Rabat in a hotel as we transition in to life in a new country
Week 2 – we will travel to Meknes (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) where we will be divided in to small groups of 4-5 and placed in host homes in communities around the city. Meknes will serve as a our training hub where we will do large group trainings.
Training will consist of language instruction, culture and safety and security.
Week 7 – we learn where our permanent placement will be and will spend a week there ‘checking it out’
Week 12 (mid-December) – graduation time and moving to our permanent site!
I know training will be busy but I hope we have to time to explore (even briefly!) the areas we will be in. Watch for posts on Staging and Training as I do hope to blog some during that time. Ishallah
And be sure to check out my Questions I’m Constantly Asked page!
alicrain 