The Global Studies major is unique for so many reasons, but one of the most exciting and transformative experiences a student will have is their time abroad. As a requirement for the major, students take 12 credits abroad with the guidance of their advisor. Tanairy Ortiz, ‘19, is a Global Studies and International Relations/Modern Languages major who’s studying abroad in Morocco this semester. Ortiz has always been interested in “the intricate designs of our world from both a humanist and scientific perspective.” Her curiosity has driven her passion for traveling, and she was able to visit Germany in 2016. For her International Relations/Modern Languages major, however, she needed to spend one full semester in a country related to her language of study, French.
“I didn’t want to study abroad in France; I wanted to challenge myself and broaden my horizons beyond Europe,” Ortiz said. Ortiz had been eyeing AMIDEAST’s Regional Studies in French program in Rabat, Morocco for years, and loved all the courses it offered every semester. She waited to complete her two years of French studies at Lehigh until she was able to apply to the program. "Morocco is an extraordinary country with a vast history and multiple cultures intertwined, a history that I was sleeping on for the longest,” Ortiz said. “I’m really excited to be here.”
As an enrolled student, Ortiz is taking two Arabic and three French classes. “I love all of the classes equally, and the professors are extremely attentive to our specific needs,” she said. Because there are only 18 students in the program, each class has no more than six or seven students in it. The classes are much more personal, Ortiz said.
Ortiz is living in a homestay in the center of Rabat, in the Agdal neighborhood. She lives with two parents and two host sisters. She said that although she wasn’t allowed to choose her housing, regardless, she would’ve picked to live in a homestay. “I feel like all the languages I am learning, French, MSA, and Darija, are all improving each day and with the conversations I have with my host family,” Ortiz said. She has also had enriching and interesting conversations with her host family about Islam, Moroccan politics, Moroccan’s view on U.S. politics and everything in between.
One of the best experiences Ortiz has had so far has been getting to know all the other students in the program and traveling with them every weekend to new places. In September, the group traveled to Casablanca and visited the Hassan Mosque which is the second largest mosque in the continent of Africa. “We rented out two Airbnbs and shared our life stories over pizza,” Ortiz said. “It was a great time.”
Ortiz said that being a Global Studies major has prepared her to engage and learn about different cultures, regions, religions, economic systems, governments and literatures while being critical of how each of those components make up who we are. “I’m definitely more open minded and willing to continue to explore these components, and my Global Studies major has been a drive in opening doors around the world for me,” Ortiz said.
Her time abroad so far has taught her so much- whether that be practicing two languages or the learning about Moroccan culture. “I am constantly learning more and more about Moroccan lifestyle while destroying any kind of stereotypes held in the past,” Ortiz said. “Every day that I am here I feel like I am falling in love more and more with the culture.”
If you want to stay updated on Ortiz’s adventures, follow @LehighGSP on Instagram. She’ll be taking over the account later on in the semester to show off all the amazing things she’s doing.