Spring Break 2022 Virtual Exchanges
Select a 4-day Session Connecting Students in the U.S. and Morocco
Session 1: March 28-31, 4-6 p.m. Eastern Time
Session 2: April 11-14, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Virtual Exchange: Exploring Intercultural Communication and Cooperation
ImprintEd Abroad brings together students from the U.S. and Morocco to share culture and access new perspectives. This program emphasizes the importance of human connections and greater understanding across cultures. This interactive experience allows participants collaborate in small groups, make new friends, and tell stories. Our goal is to build community that encourages participants to contribute confidently and to learn from one another.
The world today needs visionary leaders who can see past divisions and barriers to bridge differences, communicate with empathy, and cultivate intercultural relationships. Participants learn to see one another as multidimensional and use critical thinking skills to challenge existing stereotypes. This program encourages students to develop their voice and leadership within an intercultural setting.
This program is open to U.S. high school students of all genders who are curious about culture. The main language of the program is English, though there may be opportunities to practice Arabic or French in breakout groups (indicate your interest on the registration form!). This virtual experience teaches lessons about empathy and intercultural communication that mirror central aspects of international travel. Further, students participate in creating culture and learn powerful lessons about their ability to making spaces welcoming and inclusive to all.
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ImprintEd Abroad's virtual exchanges aim to create spaces that:
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Inspire open conversations that open up new perspectives
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Empower emerging leaders
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Encourage students to practice intercultural communication
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Inspire connections and collaborations across perceived difference
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Build a network of globally-minded leaders
"The small groups were really enjoyable and I appreciated the opportunity to talk closely with and get to know the [Moroccan] students. I was genuinely surprised at how much fun we had and how easily conversation about both light and heavy topics flowed between our group... I hope to stay in touch with Zainab and Asma and thank you again for this experience!" -Kristen
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"This experience was such a valuable one that I will treasure forever. I got to practice my French in a real life setting which I have never gotten to do and I made two new friends! I think that the whole exchange was a great surprise. I did not expect to be so invested in the interactions that I had with the other students and I did not expect for every aspect of the exchange to be so engaging! Thank you so much for facilitating all of this it was so wonderful!" -Avery
What our past exchange participants are saying:
About ImprintEd Abroad
ImprintEd Abroad has been fostering relationships between U.S. and Moroccan students through study abroad programming for U.S. schools in Morocco since 2014. Our programs emphasize immersive experiences that catalyze transformational learning. During the spring of 2021, ImprintEd Abroad began offering virtual exchanges between U.S. schools and Moroccan female university students who live together at a boarding house in Marrakech. Students participated in discussions and activities in small groups in breakout rooms on Zoom.
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Our Facilitation Team
This exchange is facilitated by U.S. and Moroccan experts in cultural exchange. They are ImprintEd Abroad's director, Melissa Topacio Long, and ImprintEd Abroad's program leaders, who are young professionals and graduate students in Morocco. Our team is passionate about harnessing intercultural connections to create a transformational learning experience, as well empowering youth to share their stories.
Below: Khadija (on Zoom) sharing information about Ramadan in Morocco
Above: Saadia giving a lesson about Moroccan schools while leading a program in Morocco
Eligibility
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These exchanges are open to high school students of any gender.
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Participants should have a good command of the English language. Optionally, those who would like to practice Arabic or French, may have the opportunity to do so - please indicate your interest on your application form.
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No refunds are available for part or all of sessions missed. We will not offer a recording for those who are unable to join.
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We encourage participants to use their camera to help to build community, but it is not a requirement to be on camera. Participants should have working microphone and speakers to engage with the cohort.
Registration
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We have space for 16 U.S. participants with a few spots reserved for students requesting a full or partial scholarship.
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Registration is due one week before your chosen session begins.
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The program fee is on a sliding scale to increase accessibility. You may select your payment level from the following options:
$384 (Supporter: helps another participant to access the program)
$305 (Full price: pays for the cost of your participation)
$252 (Supported: for those with limited means who would benefit from community support)
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No refunds available from the morning of day 1 of your exchange.
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Participants may indicate their interest in joining breakout groups in French or Arabic on the registration form. In the breakout room, it will be up to you to push yourself to use these language skills!