This summer, I volunteered with Travelteer to boost my employability and gain new skills. Travelteer is an organization that offers volunteering trips to developing regions in countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Morocco, in partnership with the University of Westminster. I chose to volunteer in Morocco for two weeks to experience the culture and broaden my horizons.

A typical day

Our days followed a set routine. We started with breakfast at 8 a.m., enjoying pancakes, toast, beignets, porridge, and some tea or coffee. By 9 a.m., we headed out for work, which involved physical labour like fixing water pipes, building bridges, planting crops, making rugs, cleaning goat pens, and constructing houses. We wrapped up by 11 a.m. and had a home-cooked lunch of rice and salad at noon. After lunch, we took a siesta-a common local tradition, visited the shop, hung out with kids, and enjoyed Moroccan tea.

At 3:30 p.m., we began the after-school program, which included activities like English classes, IT lessons, school painting, and arts and crafts. School ended at 6 p.m., but we often stayed to play football or other games. We returned home for a 7:30 p.m. dinner featuring soup with various Tajines, vermicelli or couscous.

After dinner, we enjoyed socials with card games, movies, and quiz nights, accompanied by Moroccan tea. On Fridays, we visited the mosque with the locals, and Saturdays were for day trips to places like waterfalls and nature parks. We wrapped up the week with a visit to the bustling Sunday market, full of grains, nuts, pots, pans, fruits, and vegetables.

Accommodation

Working with Travelteer was fantastic. The process was easy and stress-free. They picked us up upon landing, and after a long five-hour drive, we arrived at our Moroccan-style gite in a village in the Atlas Mountains. Each day began with stunning views and peaceful sunrises, watching students walk to school and farmers head to their fields on donkeys.

Weather

The temperature was usually around 30–35 degrees, but the mountain breeze kept us cool. When it rained, it became a bit chilly, with occasional hail.

People I’ve met through the trip

Our volunteer group of 10 students quickly became like a second family. Everyone was friendly, funny, and welcoming, making the two weeks fly by. Being surrounded by such amazing people taught me so much about teamwork and friendship. Paula and Abdul who took care of us, were super helpful and were always there to help us with whatever we needed. They supported us greatly as we worked and never failed to guide and advise us when needed. All the kids we taught were eager to learn and we made a strong bond during the short time we were there.

One of the highlights was our after-dinner game nights, where we shared stories and got super competitive. Those evenings turned strangers into lifelong friends, creating memories I’ll cherish forever.

The biggest culture shocks were the locals’ friendliness. They always greeted us, and we responded with our limited Arabic. The cook and housekeeper helped with translations, and the local kids waved at us from the balcony. The rug ladies at the store, the shopkeeper, and the kid at the shop added to the memorable experience.

Overall, this trip was an incredible opportunity to experience different cultures and develop new skills. I had the chance to meet and learn from many like-minded individuals. I am grateful to the University of Westminster Global Experience Bursary and Travelteer for making this possible.