In addition to teaching, many University professors have responsibilities outside of the classroom. One of these professors is French Prof. Majida Bargach, associate director of the Center for International Studies and program director of the "U.Va. in Morocco" summer study abroad program.
The program, which Bargach started eight years ago, accepts 20-25 students each summer, who take three classes for a total of nine University credits each. The group spends six weeks in the capital, Rabat, as well as 12 days outside of the city to visit other major cities, villages and Roman ruins. The students also have the opportunity to learn about the diversity of the country, which has several ethnic minority groups, fitting in with the overall goals of the Center for International Studies.\n\nWhat attracted you to teaching at the University?\nI moved to the U.S. 10 years ago and the opportunity was open to me. It is a chance and an honor for me to teach at a university like U.Va. I cannot believe the chance I have to be at this great university. Ending up here is close to a coincidence.
What classes do you teach here?\nI used to teach many French department classes on immigration, writing, North African literature and cultures, Moroccan cultures, 19th and 20th century literature and religion in France. Since a year or so, I have taken on another position as associate director of the U.Va. Center for International Studies. Now I only teach one class per year with the French department, on immigration in France.
What are the main goals of this program?\nI suppose the goal would be to expose our students to a Muslim, North African and underdeveloped country. This changes the students because they are not in their comfort zones. We learn the most when we are out of our comfort zones. The program is designed to enable students to meet people from different levels and positions in society. They encounter writers, political activists and farmers.\n\nHow does the trip enable students to fulfil that goal?\nThe students enter deep into the lives of their host families. They have meaningful conversations with them, for example, about relations between women and men or growing up in the United States versus growing up in North Africa. They meet other young Moroccans as well. The students are impacted by what they see.\n\nWhat are some of the cultural differences they encounter?\nThe people are brave and generous. I am always touched by the people we meet. For example, we visited a little project in the south, where a guy was being creative to earn money. He began growing bees and teaching other young people of the village for free to do the same. He received us in such a generous way. The hospitality of these people is amazing.
What do you identify as the main objectives of the Center for International Studies?\nIt is a research-orientated center where interdisciplinary research groups work together on global themes such as human rights, immigration and development. The objective is to write together. The center also holds conferences and symposiums. They welcome distinguished scholars from all around the world, for example the former head of government of Bangladesh.
What advice would you give to University students studying foreign languages?\nEveryone should study abroad, especially students studying foreign languages. Read as much as you can, it doesn't matter what. But definitely study abroad!
-compiled by Mary Donovan
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