Living in Morocco as a PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER | the perspective of a Black American | Day in the LIFE

Today, I'm going to share my experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer living in Morocco. When I decided to join the Peace Corps, it was because I wanted something more out of life, I wanted a totally different experience from my current day to day. I wanted to learn a new language and culture. Be a part of an environment that made me meet different parts of myself. That made me become in touch with different parts of the world. And really to expand my entire world view.
I am collaborating with my friend Jasmine Okocha @TheJazzyNation for this video. For her version of this project, she is sharing what life in Morocco is like for Expats! She has a wealth of knowledge to share from her personal experience. Check out her story here:
The Jazzy Nation
• Living In Morocco As A...
Jasmine moved to Morocco in 2016 with her husband. She lived there for about 2 years working as an English teacher. Her favorite thing about living in Morocco was the ability to travel extensively throughout the county and the region. She loves Moroccan food, shopping at markets, meeting local friends, and experiencing Moroccan culture. She looks forward to returning to Morocco in the future one day.
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IG Shanay Braxton / shanaybraxton
KZbin Shanay Braxton
Subscriber count at upload: 450
Prior to 2015, I had no idea that the Peace Corps had even existed.
It was my second semester in grad school and I was already thinking about what I was going to do next. I stumbled upon the Peace Corps because my intention post grad was to move to a different country. I wanted to experience what it was like to live outside of America.
Peace Corps checked all of the major boxes for me at that time. It provided
1.Long term stay
2. Airfare
3. Monthly stipend
4. local experiences
5. language training
6. Housing
7. Move abroad coordination
8. Health care
And the one thing I wanted most was time. I was still in this phase of figuring life out. Peace corps was the security I needed to live the experience I wanted to live and still have my basic needs covered.
That was my thinking behind joining the Peace Corps.
In this video I take you all the way back to 2016, to the exact day that I left Cleveland to fly to Morocco.
From Sept 2016 to Feb 2017 I lived with 2 Moroccan host families, and that honestly helped improve my language because no one in my host families spoke english fluently so I had to speak the local language.
As a youth development volunteer I taught english as a foreign language to the students in my community.
(Darija, subtitles in English)
Mn shr stud 7htal shr tnash ana kunt tellumt Darija kul n har! Du9sh 3lash kan hdr Darija. Kubul hadak makan3rsh ahaja f Darija.
(English version)
From September until December I learned Darija, everyday! That is why I speak Darija. Before that I didn't know any Darija.
At the end of training I officially swore in as a Peace Corps volunteer
As you can see, my experience as a volunteer was extremely regimented. I woke up everyday, went to language training, I spent lunch at home with my host family, then I went back to class. By the end of the night, I ate dinner and prepared for the next day.
It wasn't until February 2017 that I moved into my own apartment and started living alone. I was in the Mid Atlas mountains in this apartment by myself in the middle of Morocco.
When I found out that Jasmine was in Morocco at the same time as me, I felt excited because I knew I wasn't the only one who had this desire to live in a new reality. I am excited for Jasmine to share her story. Head over to her channel to see what it was like to live in Morocco as an expat. There is so much perspective and value that you can learn from her story.
#Expat #PeaceCorpsvolunteer #Morocco

[@ShanayBraxton]

Thank you for watching, friends! Let me know if you have any questions about my time in Morocco, and becoming a Peace Corps Volunteer! Remember to check out Jasmine's video too: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipu1e2mJbKupeck Also, look out for the LIVE chat this week where Jasmine and I dive deeper into our experiences!

[@talkb-darija2104]

Welcome to Agadir😍

[@ShanayBraxton]

@@talkb-darija2104 when I visit I will ask you for recommendations 😃🌞

[@talkb-darija2104]

@@ShanayBraxton 😍

[@TheJazzyNation1]

Wow! This was such a great video. I need a part two ASAP. I cannot wait to speak with you more about your experiences and the Business in Travel Club coming up this week!

[@ShanayBraxton]

Yes, I look forward to the live so that we can really get into storytelling about our time in Morocco!

[@ambitiousbeauty1013]

How many hours a day and week are you required to voulenteer?

[@ShanayBraxton]

It depends on the needs of the community. I set my hours based on the schools I worked with. Peace corps didn’t have set hours it just depends on where you volunteer in your community.

[@roselynholloway7863]

@@ShanayBraxtondid you feel like the pay was decent

[@ShanayBraxton]

@@roselynholloway7863 the pay is decent for experiences in the country but you need to have savings to travel outside of the country.

[@roselynholloway7863]

@@ShanayBraxton did you feel that while in peace corps you get to save or did it all go to your living expenses

[@ShanayBraxton]

@@roselynholloway7863 great question! I was able to save money from my monthly allowance. I used it mostly to travel around the country and enjoy my time outside work/volunteering.

[@zoommaroctv5225]

Wait a minute...you still in Morocco? Didnt you get married to a Senegalese and moved back to the US?

[@ShanayBraxton]

Morocco is my second home 😃

[@p.thompson5474]

Thank you! I also appreciated learning about Morocco and Moroccan culture during my time living there as a PCV. Such hospitality! I will check out Jasmine’s story.

[@ShanayBraxton]

Yes great hospitality! I am most grateful for my host families because they really made me feel at home and the food was scrumptious!! 😃😊 Jasmine’s story is also fun to hear, check it out!

[@Nazirite_SouL]

is there a minimum amount of days or visits before going for citizenship? -& can you stay longer while applying? since we do require a return flight before entering. I was planning for applying on my 1st trip & want to avoid the return flight if not necessary.

[@ShanayBraxton]

I received my visa based on my status as a Peace Corps Volunteer. US passport holders have a 90 visa automatically, so I recommend applying before that period ends. Once you apply and obtain a receipt stating your application is pending, you are good to stay in the country. You can also start a business, and that can help facilitate obtaining a visa. I hope this helps since everyone's situation is different.

[@Nazirite_SouL]

@@ShanayBraxton thank you. i trade the markets & also am considering getting e-residency in Estonia & starting an online biz. hopefully that will help, unless the biz has to be registered in Morocco.

[@ShanayBraxton]

@@Nazirite_SouL talk to them and see what your options are.

[@ProfGuitariste]

I'm morrocan , and now I'm a volunteer here in Morocco with PC

[@ShanayBraxton]

How do you like it so far. Congratulations!

[@ProfGuitariste]

I'm sorry i mean counter part of a pcv

[@ShanayBraxton]

@@ProfGuitariste that’s great! How is your experience?

[@ID_OUNZAR]

Welcome to ur Second Country , and In Casablanca !!!

[@ShanayBraxton]

Shukran! Casa is one of my favorite cities in Morocco so I will return for sure 😃

[@ID_OUNZAR]

@@ShanayBraxton Welcome Any time !! CASABLANCA u know is the Business City of Morocco 🇲🇦❤

[@ShanayBraxton]

@@ID_OUNZAR That is why it is one of my favorite cities 😃

[@alexandracash8106]

Love this story! I'm an RPCV Morocco 2009-2011. Our reasons for joining were pretty much exactly the same! What city were you actually in? You said middle Atlas 15 thousand, I am going to guess near Azrou.

[@ShanayBraxton]

I was in a city called Oulmes. It is where the Sidi Ali water company is located. So maybe about 2-3 hours from Azrou.

[@ShanayBraxton]

PC has a lot to offer including a network of great people!!

[@roselynholloway7863]

@@ShanayBraxtondo you recommend it to others

[@ShanayBraxton]

@@roselynholloway7863yes I highly recommend it! I had a great experience! 🌞

[@roselynholloway7863]

@@ShanayBraxton ok

[@rachelceleste_]

Hello!🦋 Amazing video!! I am considering joining the Peace Corps. Partly searching for Me & partly wanting to travel. I have a million questions is there a way to message you privately? If this gets lost in cyber space I absolutely understand!!🦋🦋 Many blessings..

[@ShanayBraxton]

Hi Rachel, you can do both and still serve your community as a Peace Corps volunteer. That’s amazing party about it! Email me, I’d be happy to chat. [e-mail]

[@roselynholloway7863]

@@ShanayBraxtondid you ever try Americorps or military

[@tafadiouf9814]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@joandrahollis2511]

Greetings from Morocco 2023! I am contemplating volunteering for the PC. Is it possible to get "real" answers to some [remaining] questions? I can be reached at LinkedIn. Thx in advance!

[@ShanayBraxton]

Hey sure! 🌞

[@ShanayBraxton]

I just connected with you on LinkedIn. Feel free to schedule a time to chat with this link! 🌞 www.businessintravel.co/service-page/business-in-travel-chat