DR . MICHAEL OGDEN - CENTRAL WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY - MOROCCO
ARAMFO designed this study tour to facilitate cultural tolerance and understanding between Arab people and Americans . Of course , the real “ star ” of the two-week study tour was the actual cross-country travels to visit the four “ royal cities ” ( Meknès , Marrakesh , Fés & Rabat ), the various kasbas , places , museums , souks and Roman ruins along the way as well as tour places of historical and cultural importance — from Casablanca to Ouarzazate , Beni Mellal , Ouzoud , and from the “ blue city ” of Chefchaouen to Tangier — as well as see the various mountain ranges , ecosystems and agriculture resplendent over much of Morocco .
It was great that our sojourn in Morocco began with a three-day conference on Land , Culture & Understanding in the Arab World . This conference , hosted by University Hassan II in Mohammedia Casablanca , was a stimulating and engaging experience where students and faculty from the United States were able to mingle and interact with their counterparts from Morocco and across the Arab world while simultaneously learning more about Moroccan economics , politics , the media , culture and society . The tour buses were modern and comfortable , the drivers (& their assistants ) friendly and professional and the various guides were knowledgeable and personable . Our hotel accommodations were clean and comfortable and the meals provided were a sampling of the varied cuisine represented in Morocco-from French-influenced dishes to traditional Tajine , couscous and a typical “ breaking the fast ” evening Ramadan meal .
DR . JUN ZHAO - GOVERNORS STATE UNIVERSITY - BRAZIL & SOUTH AFRICA
Our collaboration with ARAMFO
Foundation for Multicultural Understanding started in 2014 , when we were planning for a faculty led study trip to Brazil in summer 2015 . Dr . Abeer Ibrahim and her team went extra miles to make sure our trip was designed to achieve the goals of our faculty leader and meet the needs of both faculty leader and student participants . The trip had the perfect mix of company visits and cultural / leisure activities , with outstanding in-country services ( friendly and knowledgeable local tour guides , nice hotel accommodations and amenities ), but still within a very reasonable price range . Our students enjoyed the trip to Brazil so much and quite a few wanted to do another trip with us when the opportunity comes . We were so happy with the experience with ARAMFO , so we chose them again as our trip organizer when we are planning for our 2016 summer trip to South Africa ! We hope they will stay as our long-term partner as we continue to globalize our programs and our university , and provide more faculty led study abroad trips to enrich the learning of our students .
DR . KAREN M . JENNISON - UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO - EGYPT
After the university visits , the group visited various historical attractions in and around Cairo , Alexandria and Luxor . In each city we had a local guide who was well trained in Egyptology and in guiding . All the guides had received Ph . D . s in various aspects of Egyptology . They spoke very good , understandable English and were exceptionally knowledgeable in describing the meaning of all the ruins and re-constructed or intact sites that we visited . They were able to answer all questions in detail . In summary , the guides were impressive . The relatively modest price of this trip is a big advantage to U . N . C . students since most of them are completing college through scholarships and loans . Many do not have financial resources which would allow a more expensive trip ; they would be more likely to be able to afford this trip . Everything on this trip was as stated by ARAMFO . It is a high quality trip at a very modest price .
DR . GEORGE H . JUNNE , JR . - UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO - EGYPT
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believe that all of us were pleasantly surprised at how well organized the trip was and the access we had to people in leadership positions . The ancient Egypt tours from Alexandria on the Mediterranean to Gaza , to sites on the Nile and the Red Sea , were incredible . The assigned readings , of course , provided some insights concerning what we were to see , but being there was very powerful . On top of that , our two primary tour guides were among the country ’ s principal Egyptologists who were able to provide incredible details . Almost everyone has seen images of the Sphinx , the three major pyramids of Giza , Pompey ’ s Pillar , the Valley of the Kings , etc . It is another thing to actually stand in front of them and to try to understand how people thousands of years ago were able to create such monuments . It was an incredible experience . There were a couple Egyptian nationals who assisted with the logistics and in other areas and who were indispensable in many ways . In my opinion , the students had a first-class educational experience and know more about modern Egypt than one usually receives from the radio and television . For ancient Egypt , having first-class guides to the many historical sites and who provided such a wealth of information was phenomenal . I am very pleased that I had a chance to be part of this .
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