Heading South: Ouarzazate and Agadir

Over the past few weeks, my time in Morocco has taken me south — first to Ouarzazate, then to Agadir — two places that couldn’t feel more different, yet both left a strong impression.

Ouarzazate

I traveled to Ouarzazate with a group of fellow Fulbrighters to help run workshops at the cinema school there. Over two days, we watched two films with students and spent time discussing media, storytelling, and how perception is shaped through film. The conversations were thoughtful, curious, and genuinely fun. It reminded me how powerful film can be as both an artistic and educational tool — and how engaged students are when they’re invited to analyze the stories they consume every day.

One of the most memorable moments happened early in the morning as we drove through town at sunrise. The entire city was washed in oranges and pinks, the kind of light that feels almost unreal. In the distance, we could see snow-dusted mountains catching the same glow. It was some of the most beautiful lighting I’ve ever seen — which suddenly made it very clear why Ouarzazate is considered the film capital of Morocco, and why movies like Gladiator were filmed there. The landscape does half the work for you.

Before we left, the students and staff surprised us with a gift — a beautiful piece of pottery that I’ll treasure for a long time. It felt incredibly meaningful to leave not just with memories, but with something handmade, thoughtful, and rooted in the place itself.

Agadir

From Ouarzazate, I headed west to Agadir — a city that immediately felt different in pace and climate. Agadir is warmer than Rabat right now, and the shift was a welcome one. Sun, sea air, and a time to step back from my research and simply enjoy Morocco.

While there, I visited a high school and spoke to multiple classes about Maine and life in the United States. Being back in a classroom — even briefly — reminded me how much I miss that part of my own teaching life. The students were engaged, curious, and full of questions, and it felt good to connect again in that familiar way.

Outside of school, Agadir offered space to relax. I spent time at the beach, by the pool, soaking in the warmth — and yes, I rode a camel. Because when the opportunity presents itself, you say yes.

Two Trips, One Reminder

These trips south reminded me how varied Morocco is — in landscape, climate, culture, and energy. From early-morning mountain light and film discussions in Ouarzazate to warm beaches and classrooms in Agadir, each place added something different to my experience here.

They also reminded me how much I love being in spaces where learning, curiosity, and connection intersect — whether that’s in a cinema classroom, a high school, or a conversation sparked by a film or a question about Maine.

I came back to Rabat a little tired, a little sun-kissed, carrying pottery, stories, and a deep sense of gratitude for the chance to keep learning — from places, from people, and from moments I never could have planned.