Preston Goes to Morocco!

The Project

In May 2018, students from Preston Residential College will have the opportunity to travel to Morocco. This trip will be Preston’s first study abroad trip led by our faculty principal. Students will have unique opportunities to explore cities such as Rabat, Fes, Casablanca, and Chefchouen as they build community and experience a culture different from their own.

Who We Are

Preston Residential College is the oldest residential college in the state of South Carolina. We are committed to promoting passion, responsibility, community, and knowledge in our students as we build community and develop future leaders. Since 2011 students at Preston have participated in study abroad programs, but this is the first year that Preston is organizing its own faculty principal-led study abroad experience. A community study abroad experience is a way for Preston to understand how we each fit in to a global society. Our students will build community as they live and learn together in another country.

The Goal

Our goal of $4,000 will help fund different aspects of our trip to Morocco. It will allow us to meet uncovered needs and to significantly contribute to various aspects of each student’s trip, such as camel rides, henna art, cooking classes, traditional music, and pottery making.

Critically, this funding will also facilitate participation by any current or former Preston resident who is a USC student in good standing.

International support for travel can be difficult to find, but we believe that our students’ stories will impact future Preston students and encourage them to find ways to study abroad.

Help us to take 15-20 students to Morocco in May 2018!

The Impact

We are delighted to welcome students on our first faculty principal-led study abroad trip to Morocco. Through participation in a spring cultural inquiry course, students will reflect on questions such as: What is the role of women in Morocco?  What impact does socio-economic status have on life choices? How goes geography influence life choice? Is success measured differently based on gender? To what degree do religious values play a role in life choice? What is the role of hustling as part of work in Morocco? As this is a cultural inquiry course, we hope to attract students from various colleges and schools which will bring different perspectives to each of our site visits.

We learn through experience, reflection, and through understanding from looking at the world through a different lens.  We’ll take these questions and allow students to experience them during our trip to Morocco. By going out beyond own comfort zone, we can create a unique experience of what it means to live in someone else’s shoes. Group discussions will lead to understanding another culture better as well as facilitate better understanding of our own culture, beliefs, and values. Preston’s trip to Morocco will allow students to see, experience, feel, smell and touch what they have spent a semester learning about in their course.

Your gift will enrich this experience for students and allow them a unique experience of cultural discovery.

What Your Gifts Will Do

Your donation matters!

Funds raised in this campaign will allow undergraduate students to embark on a unique experience of traveling to north Africa and experience the culture of Morocco. Students will ride camels, participate in a storytelling workshop, learn traditional dance, participate in a cooking lesson, and learn to make Moroccan mint tea all while learning more about the culture and traditions of the Moroccan people.

Your donations will create a richer conversation about Morocco’s culture and help Preston students to build community as they live and learn together in another country.

Your donations will help us to make this trip affordable to all students and ensure an amazing trip.  Any current or former Preston students who are currently enrolled at USC and in good standing are invited to join in this exciting and important cultural experience.

Thank you for your support!