Snap!

I now officially have a job. I'm going to be working for this group called "Reseau Maillage" in either Rabat or Casablanca in Morocco. Here's part of the e-mail:

Réseau Maillage a young, energetic, and motivated network organization that works at the heart of Morocco's communities. Comprised of young activists, the 30-plus Maillage-affiliated associations concentrate on improving their own neighborhoods and the life of youth, the future leaders of Moroccan society. Especially where youth are most vulnerable to common negative influences of urban society, the actors in the Maillage network are always on-hand to improve lives.

Job Description:

I taught English to Moroccan students ranging in age from 15- 25. There was no program in place, but I set roots for an English program in several associations. My students were hopeful and willing learners who were always excited to come to meet each day. In addition to teaching, I helped the group extend its relations with other organizations in the Rabat area. As it is the capital city, there are many international groups and international student exchanges, providing further opportunity for contact with Americans. I designed several programs in partnership with these organizations and bodies, including the U.S. Embassy, AMIDEAST and the regional administration of Morocco.

I'll find out w/in the next week whether I'll be in Rabat or Casablanca... I'd be content with either! I'm working from June 13-August 5. Hopefully, I'll be able to get over there earlier and do some exploring. I still really want to go to Istanbul and go spend some time in Egypt - so maybe before-hand or after? Shit, my brain's running a mile a minute.

Shotz/Medical Info

Excerpted from the CDC Website

CDC recommends the following vaccines (as appropriate for age):

See your doctor at least 4–6 weeks before your trip to allow time for shots to take effect.

• Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG).
• Hepatitis B if you might be exposed to blood (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, stay longer than 6 months in the region, or be exposed through medical treatment.
• Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation.
• Typhoid, particularly if you are visiting developing countries in this region.
• As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria, measles, and a one-time dose of polio vaccine for adults. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11–12 years who did not complete the series as infants.

Plus, I supposedly need an AIDS test. Oh wait, there's more:

Diseases carried by insects

Dengue Malaria - Frequently asked questions - Prescription drugs Plague Diseases carried in food or water

Cholera Escherichia coli diarrhea Hepatitis A Schistosomiasis Typhoid fever Diseases from person-to-person contact

Hepatitis B HIV/AIDS - Prevention - HIV-infected travelers

OK, so here's the deal...

1. Joined an organization called AIESEC - check out our local DC site here
2. Decided to apply to this program called the salaam program
3. Actually got in to the program
4. Am now waiting to hear what type of traineeship I'm doing - and where. The four options are Morocco, Tunisia, the UAE and Egypt. Hopefully I'll end up Tunisia or Morocco so I can work on my meager/grammatically shitty french skillz

Hey All

Just getting this off the ground - this is going to be a blog of my job in North Africa this summer. I'll fill in the details when I actually know what the hell I'm doing.
Cheers