Enterprise & Culture

So why Morocco?

A brief overview
Rich in its cultural heritage, artisan workers and design development, Morocco's skill base is a rich resource for learning & training for your students. The country also offers the experience of a very different culture, giving your students the chance to gain an insight into another way of life among what must be one of the most hospitable peoples in the world. At its heart, the Moroccan culture is also enterprising. Here there are no government grants or funds to support a business, and Moroccans generally develop their enterprising skills on their own initatives, driven both by need and opportunity. On this basis alone, the country offers a different experience to learn from.

International Enterprise & Culture Programme

In addition to the skills development set as outlined on our introduction page, this trip is designed to:

• Introduce students to how enterprise works in another country through observation of daily working life in both mountain and city communities
• Provide opportunities for language practice (French) and introduce students to the basics of Arabic (city) & Berber (mountains)
• Give students the chance to visit artisan workshops to observe techniques employed & learn about the need to respond to a changing environment in order to survive
• Provide training in a specific artisan skill area
• Deliver enterprise training pre & post trip. Part of this training can support the start up of a social enterprise business within your school, linked to the trip abroad
• Work as part of a team

We work with Enterprise agencies to deliver this programme which also prepares your students for their new experiences in Morocco. Please note that the programme is flexible and we are happy to talk to you about your individual requirements.

What's involved?

The trip begins with a 3 day trek through the High Atlas Mountains not far from Marrakech, led by our Moroccan Real World Journeys leader who is a qualified mountain guide with over 10 years experience and assisted by a UK Real World Journeys representative. A full catering team & mule train for transporting baggage, equipment, tents & sleeping bags etc. will travel with the group. Students will be able to observe daily life & culture in the mountains and learn about how enterprise functions here as opposed to the city. Playing football with the local children and invitations to village homes are two of the ways in which students will be able to meet the communities. Working together as a team is an important part of this section of the trip.

Visits to artisan workshops back in the city give a different insight into an enterprise culture backed by skills training handed down within and between generational families. The base for specific artisan skills training is at our Moroccan leader's home, located 20 mins from centre of Marrakech. It is set in its own gardens with views of the mountains from the terrace and workshop facilities in its grounds.

Students are encouraged to record interviews using digital equipment including a video camera, if available. This will be useful for post-trip presentations. Writing a communal trip diary or keeping an individual record is also encouraged so that students can follow their learning development throughout the trip.

Translation support is available at all times. Arabic and French are used in the cities while a dialect of Berber is spoken in the mountains. Arabic is sometimes also used, though, due to lack of educational opportunities, French rarely and English almost never.

Day 1 - Travel to Marrakech, Morocco
Bus transfer (dedicated to group) direct to hotel

Days 2-4 - Transfer to the High Atlas mountains, 2 hrs from Marrakech
Trekking & camping in the mountains, moving to different locations each day.
Approx. 5 hrs walking per day with meal and rest breaks built in.
Setting up camp and decamping is part of the experience.

Day 5 - Decamp & Transfer to Marrakech to start practical workshops
Workshop 1 Tadelakt.
This is a marblelike, waterproof coloured finish traditionally applied to walls in Moroccan houses and recently developed to be applied to tableware. Students are guided through the application process, then can learn how to apply the same technique to a flat clay plate or dish. Led by Master Craftsmen.
Base: Riad Omar Nour
General introduction to the workshop, what to expect & preparation for recording activity
Accommodation at Riad Omar Nour

Days 6 & 7 - Tadelakt Training
Base: Riad Omar Nour
Accommodation at Riad Omar Nour
On these two days there will also be opportunity to visit Marrakech in the evenings & to have traditional henna designs applied by a local artist at the Riad itself

Days 8 & 9 - Transfer to central hotel
Visit workshops 3 & 4 in Marrakech : Mosaic & leatherworkers
Interviewing and photographing
Free time for shopping/sightseeing late afternoons & evenings
Accommodation at central hotel & eating out on the main square
On the last evening there will be a final meal altogether and feedback session

Day 10 - Return to UK

Health and Safety

Safety of the students & staff is of paramount importance at all times during our Real World Journeys Education trip.

• A full risk assessment is carried out prior to the trip.
• A comprehensive medical kit is carried at all times by the leaders.
• Both the U.K. and Moroccan team are very experienced travellers and our Moroccan Real World Journeys team leader has over 10 years mountain guiding experience.
• Real World Journeys has an in depth knowledge of the country and how it works.
• Pre-trip meetings are arranged with staff, students and parents to give full information on the trip and answer any questions. A full pre-trip briefing is given to the group which includes all health & safety measures.
• Students are required to carry their own medical insurance and we are happy to provide any advice on this matter.

If you are interested in discussing International Enterprise & Culture opportunities for your students, please contact Ingrid Wagner on:
0191 228 9888 / 0778 637 6819
or Email info@ingridwagner.com

Also See:

Art & Culture - Enterprise & Culture - Community Project