Throughout the semester, I have had the opportunity to visit a variety of places across Europe. I’ve come to love exploring diverse cultures and gaining a deeper understanding of the histories that shape each destination. Every place offers something unique, making each experience meaningful in its own way. Among all my travels, however, the most impactful experience abroad was my recent trip to Morocco.

We started by flying into Marrakech. We didn’t get in until late but still wanted to explore the city before all the souks and food stands closed. So, we kept our bags and wandered around for a while. It was such an awesome city. The streets were very busy with people playing music and vendors grabbing our attention. We had bracelets made with our names engraved in Arabic and enjoyed skewers from a local stand before heading to our hostel to rest for the next day’s adventure.

In the morning, we were picked up by our tour guide, Said, and drove twelve hours into the Sahara. Although the trip was long, it was so cool to drive through all of the different towns and landscapes, each offering a glimpse into Moroccan culture. It was so different than anything that I had experienced. When we finally arrived, we rode camels across the dunes as the sun set, watching the desert transform in color. That evening, we returned to camp for dinner, where our guides played music, creating a memorable and welcoming atmosphere.

The following morning, we woke up very early to ride ATVs during sunrise. This was by far the most memorable experience I had during all of abroad. Looking out and seeing the dunes go on for miles was incredible. The colors of the sky were beautiful and made the experience so much more memorable.

Overall, this trip allowed me not only to witness the natural beauty of Morocco but also to deeply appreciate its culture. Experiencing something so different from my everyday life broadened my perspective in a way that will stay with me forever.