Outline:
- Explain Tangier a bit, the layout, a small amount of history
- Go into Mourad, his childhood
- Other jobs he has had
- Him getting into UNE
- His jobs
- Student quotes
- His work at UNE
- His family life now
Walking around the bustling streets of Tangier, Morocco, an American student will often feel lost, anxious and as if they stick out like a sore thumb. This is one of the most challenging parts of studying abroad, as many students at the University of New England in Biddeford, ME choose to do. The university is known for its’ Morocco campus and is credited with creating the first American college campus in Morocco. This campus would not be able to run or give students the guidance that they need to adjust to life in a new country, without their staff and faculty. One of the most important people on the Tangier campus is Mourad Benikrane, the facilities manager of this campus.
Mourad’s job title may be facilities manager, but he goes far beyond this job title in his work with students. Mourad can often be found walking the streets of Tangier along with his students, doing everything from taking them on a day out to explore, or introducing them to people across the city who might have knowledge of students’ particular fields. There is a reason why students often refer to Mourad as “the most popular man in Tangier”, as walking down the street with him, he seems to know everyone.
“People are always calling out to him on the street, and he would always stop and have a full conversation with them. He seemed to know everyone we would come across.” Said Annika Doeppers, a junior marine biology student who studied in Tangier in Fall of 2023.
