American Student Finds Family in Morocco on YES Abroad Program

Rozina Kidari, an alumni of the 2009 YES Abroad Program with Ayusa, was recently featured as a guest blogger on The Huffington Post. Last fall, Rozina was a recipient of the prestigious YES scholarship, where she lived with a host family and attended school in Rabat, Morocco.

In the article, Rozina described her motivations in applying for the program

“Ever since I was 12 years old, I've had this dream about discovering my ethnic heritage. Growing up with my single American mother in Arizona, I always felt this gap inside of me. It wasn't that I ever lacked love, stability or understanding. It was just that, as I got older, I wanted to understand where I came from.

My mom always taught me to see the beauty and importance in all forms of ethnic diversity, so, by the time I became a teenager, I was dying to know more about my own heritage. Rozina, you're half-Moroccan, I'd tell myself. Your dad was born and raised in a city called Kenitra. You have a grandmother who still lives in the same city.”

She also reflected on her experience living in Morocco, understanding the rich culture, and meeting her family,

“I learned a lot about the Moroccan culture and myself as well. After about a month of living in Rabat, my host family helped me to get in contact with my grandmother in Kenitra. Words can't even begin to describe the emotions I was feeling when I opened the door and my grandmother or "muilella" pulled me into her arms and told me that I was a "diamante" or diamond. During my winter break, I got to spend an entire week and half at my grandmother's house where I met aunts, cousins, uncles and everything in between. My sister, Aziza, got the chance to fly out to Morocco during that time as well! We had the chance to connect with our family together, while also discussing our feelings and experiences around it, and that's something I will treasure forever.

My experience in Morocco is a painting that I've permanently etched onto the canvas of my mind. I know that I have experienced something much richer than most people my age could understand. That empty gap in my life is now filled with love, friendships, memories, and a newfound understanding. Morocco truly is my second home. As they say in Morocco, ‘Barak Allah Fik u Shukran Bezaff!’ which means, ‘It is a blessing from God, and thank you very much!’”

To read the article in full, please visit the Huffington Post's website, here.