Trip to Morocco inspires French teacher to find new ways to bring culture to life

 

Culver Academies French teacher Anastasia Médard Beeson ’94 SS’93 says a summer trip to Morocco is giving her new ways to bring culture to life in the classroom while helping students better understand the diversity of the French-speaking world.

Beeson traveled to the north African nation of Morocco this summer through the Council on International Educational Exchange, which connects educators and students with international learning opportunities. As Culver's study abroad coordinator, Beeson said the experience gave her valuable insight into the kinds of cultural immersion students encounter when studying internationally.

Beeson, who grew up speaking French in Haiti, said she chose to visit Morocco because she wants to visit areas where there is strong French influence. Morocco was a natural choice. While Arabic and Tamazight are the country's official languages, French remains widely spoken and is deeply woven into daily life because of the nation's history as a former French protectorate.

"One of my big, big goals is to teach my students about how the vast majority of French speakers don't actually live in Europe," she said.

Beeson flew into Casablanca and spent two days in Chefchaouen, a city in the Rif Mountains known as the “Blue City” because nearly all its buildings, streets and staircases are painted in shades of blue.

“I loved that place so much,” she said.

She also visited Rabat, Mohammedia, Tangier and Fez Marakech and Essaouria, while spending time in Amazigh communities beyond Morocco's major cities.

During her travels, Beeson documented riads and other housing styles through photos and videos she plans to share with students. A traditional Moroccan riad is a home built around an interior courtyard, with all the windows facing toward the courtyard.

“That's because they value privacy. They want to protect their families. It is a reflection of this cultural perspective," Beeson said. "We're not just learning about housing, we're learning about people and how they live."

She also visited traditional Amazigh communities, explored cave dwellings and participated in a cooking class with an Amazigh family.

“We cooked what they normally cooked every day,” she said.

 

 

She believes those experiences will help students develop curiosity and empathy.

Beeson said instructors throughout Culver Academies, an elite leadership-oriented boarding school in northern Indiana, are focused on fostering curiosity in students.

“How can we help them take a simple topic like food, housing or clothing and use that as a vehicle to understanding people better,” she said.

By connecting language lessons to culture, Beeson hopes students will gain a deeper understanding of the people behind the language.

"For me, that transforms something that is mildly interesting, which is how to describe a house and look at all these famous people's houses, into something where it's a tool to understand the people better," she said.

Beeson also brought back artifacts she can use in class, including Amazigh tapestries, leather goods and a traditional Moroccan teapot purchased from a craftsman in Fez, the country’s silversmithing center.

Beeson arrived in Morocco the day after the World Cup ended, but it still provided her with something to talk about. Moroccans heard her speaking French and knew she wasn’t from France. When she told people she was from Haiti, they were excited to talk to her because Morocco had played Haiti in the first round of the tournament, coming from behind to win 4-2.

“It was a moment of connection where they knew where I was from,” she said.

Beeson said the experience reinforced one of the lessons she hopes to teach students that culture can be understood through everyday experiences. The trip reinforced her belief in the value of international education, particularly for high school students.

"These immersion programs are amazing,” Beeson said.  “The value of actually living the culture with a host family for a month, instead of simply touring its major sites and monuments as a visitor, is irreplaceable.  I want to challenge my students to deepen their global understanding and truly become global citizens, not just well-traveled tourists."

She hopes more Culver students will take advantage of study-abroad opportunities, whether through CIEE or other organizations.

"That's how you create global citizens," she said.

Fifteen Culver students went on CIEE immersion trips to Spain, France, Mexico, Scotland and China. Not all went for language. One student went for creative writing and another went for marine ecology and sustainability.

The experience also strengthened her commitment to helping students understand how countries are always changing.

“They are constantly evolving,” she said.

 The trip provided Beeson with fresh classroom materials, new instructional ideas and firsthand stories to incorporate into her curriculum. Through videos, artifacts and lessons focused on Moroccan culture, she hopes to help students develop a deeper understanding of the world.

“We’re learning about people and how they live,” she said.

Anyone interested in taking part in a CIEE High School Summer Abroad program can learn more here: https://www.ciee.org/go-abroad/high-school-study-abroad/summer