Fulbright Morocco

The academic portion of the Crossing the Strait seminar officially began with opening remarks from the Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Mission in Morocco Mr. Benjamin Ziff, alongside the Executive Directors of Fulbright Morocco and Fulbright Spain, Dr. Rebecca Geffner and Alberto López San Miguel, respectively, as well as the Director of the American Legation, Ms. Jennifer Rasamimanana.

The seminar is also taking place in the context of Freedom 250, the United States’ commemoration of 250 years of independence, highlighting its longstanding leadership in education, research, and international cooperation.

انطلق الجزء الأكاديمي من ندوة "Crossing the Strait" رسميًا بكلمات افتتاحية ألقاها نائب رئيس بعثة الولايات المتحدة بالمغرب، السيد بنجامين زيف، إلى جانب المديرين التنفيذيين لبرنامج فولبرايت المغرب وفولبرايت إسبانيا، الدكتورة ريبيكا غيفنر وألبرتو لوبيز سان ميغيل، على التوالي، وكذلك مديرة المفوضية الأمريكية، السيدة جينيفر راساميمانانا.

وتأتي هذه الندوة أيضًا في سياق "Freedom 250"، وهو إحياء الولايات المتحدة للذكرى الـ250 لاستقلالها، بما يعكس ريادتها الراسخة في مجالات التعليم والبحث العلمي والتعاون الدولي.

The Crossing the Strait Seminar is officially underway. Last night, Fulbright scholars from Morocco and Spain gathered at the Tangier American Legation for an opening concert inspired by the work of Manuel de Falla, where music set the tone for three days of research, dialogue, and collaboration across the Strait. The evening was attended by Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy, Mr. Benjamin Ziff.

انطلقت فعاليات "Crossing the Strait Seminar" رسمياً في الليلة الماضية. التقى الباحثون من برنامج فولبرايت من المغرب وإسبانيا في مبنى المفوضية الأميركية في طنجة، في حفل افتتاحي موسيقي مستوحى من أعمال مانويل دي فايا، حيث أرست الموسيقى أجواء ثلاثة أيام من البحث والحوار والتعاون عبر مضيق جبل طارق. وقد حضر الأمسية نائب رئيس البعثة الدبلوماسية للسفارة الأمريكية، السيد بنجامين زيف.

If you would like to pursue a fully-funded Master's degree in the US, this is a reminder that our Study Grant program is still open! You have until June 15 to submit your applications. Click the link below for more details:
https://macece.ma/program/fulbright-study-grant/

Professor Caroline McCracken-Flesher, the Director of Center for Global Studies, and professor of English at the University of Wyoming, who is in Morocco for the Specialist program, had the opportunity to visit the American School of Ben Guerir and meet MACECE Board member Elisabeth Vanness.

Professor McCracken-Flesher shared a multimedia presentation about insights into patriotic songs throughout American history with our 8th 9th and 10th graders. Professor McCracken-Flesher Is in Morocco for a Fulbright program.

Fulbright Specialist Dr. Caroline McCracken-Flesher delivered a presentation titled “This Land is Your Land: Songs of Protest as American Anthems”, framed around American folk traditions. She explored how certain songs moved beyond entertainment to become powerful expressions of social critique, identity, and collective memory.

She is in Morocco working as a Fulbright Specialist with Cadi Ayyad University on Modern American pedagogies and assessment systems: approaches, Impacts, and timing challenges.

Congratulations to our Joint-Supervision alumna, Dr. Chaimae Harrag, on the successful defense of her PhD thesis at the Faculty of Languages, Arts, and Humanities, Hassan I University in Settat.

During her Fulbright grant at University of Notre Dame in Indiana, Dr. Harrag conducted research on “Modeling the role of propositional Density in Narrative Text Comprehension ”

We are proud of Dr. Harrag and wish her continued success in her future endeavors.

MACECE's Deputy Director Imane Hannouche and Program Officer Ayoub Benfdila recently attended an international conference at the Faculty of Education (Mohammed V University), organized in partnership with the ROUA center, on “International academic mobility: challenges, opportunities, and perspectives of academic cooperation.” The event brought together national and international experts to discuss different opportunities available to Moroccan students, and key issues related to student mobility and academic collaboration.

Last Friday, MACECE, THE FORGE, and Technopark Casablanca brought together founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders for a day of exchange between Morocco and Silicon Valley.

Fulbright Specialist and Stanford GSB Professor Matt Glickman led a strategic roundtable and a public dialogue on what it takes to build ventures that scale. U.S. Consul General Ms. Marissa Scott was also in attendance, reflecting the U.S. Mission's continued commitment to strengthening economic ties and supporting Morocco's entrepreneurial community.

In the heart of the Red City, our Marrakech TGC group, Rashel Dorleans, Alicia Gonzalez, and Kathleen Fugle, were hosted by Fulbright alumna Meriem Benoualiallah, where they connected with students, teachers, and the local community.

Spotlight on our TGC group placed in Safi. Matthew Holden, Josipa Casey, and Tori Lands were hosted by Fulbright alumnus Abdelmottalib Hakkar. They attended classes, met with students and teachers and explored El Jadida, Azemmour, and Oualidia!

After the group session and visits, the TGC participants split into groups to start the second part of their program. Each group traveled to a different city to spend a week with their Moroccan hosts. They got to observe public and private school classes and to immerse themselves in the Moroccan education system.
Here's a look at our Laayoune group comprised of Asmaou Diallo, Zachary Ritland, and Sarah Holtmeyer-Hollstrom, and hosted by Fulbright alumnus Abdeslam Zouita.

Here's a look at the networking lunch at MACECE where the TGC group had the opportunity to meet with our Moroccan Fulbright alumni and to reflect on their respective exchange experiences.