Life in Morocco with Ali Alaoui
Read more about living internationally as an OHSer in Aino Alkio's interview with Ali Alaoui.
Pixel Journal: Could you tell us a little about yourself?
Ali Alaoui: Hi! My name is Ali, and I’m a Junior who has been at the OHS for four years now. I was born in California, but I moved to Morocco in 5th grade, in order to be closer to family.
PJ: Why did you join the OHS?
AA: I joined the OHS because of how much better it was compared to the schools near me. I went to an American school for 2 years in Morocco, but it could not offer me the rigorous education and flexibility that I could get with the OHS.
PJ: You divide your time between D.C. and Morocco, what are the major differences that you find between the two places?
AA: D.C and Morocco are two very different places! Of course, Morocco is a developing country, and so it does not have the same quality of life. The food in Morocco is also very different, and much cheaper as well. The people are also very different in Morocco.
PJ: Which one do you prefer? Why?
AA: I would have to say I prefer Morocco, just because I have many friends and family there, and DC does not stand out to me the way Morocco does. However, California is still my favorite place, for sure.
PJ: What do you do in Morocco in your free time?
AA: I practice karate several times a week in Morocco. I’m also working on some volunteering projects in Morocco, and of course, I am always playing soccer. Other than that, I like hanging out with family and friends.
PJ: In 10 years, where would you like to be living?
AA: I am 15 years old right now, so as a 25 year old, I would probably want to be living somewhere such as New York, where I could advance my career. Another option would be somewhere in Europe, as well. Who knows though, I haven’t thought about it too much, haha.
PJ: What languages do you speak?
AA: I speak English, French, and Moroccan, which is a dialect of Arabic. I am also learning Spanish.
PJ: What are the main difficulties with being an international student?
AA: One big thing that sucks for international students is not being able to have the same meetups as our peers in the US. Therefore, we can only really see our friends during times like MIT Splash, or summer session. Also, it’s annoying when certain things are made harder by being an international student, such as chemistry labs, where certain items required are only found in the US, and so I would always have to find substitutes. Adapting to a different time zone can be rough, as well. Overall, it isn’t too bad though!
PJ: Any tips for other international students at OHS?
AA: For assignments such as labs or other physical projects, always make sure to be prepared ahead of time so you can seek help from your teachers if you need something. Also, it is easier in a way to procrastinate as an international student in Europe or Asia, because the assignment due dates are later, and I know I’ve done this many times, haha. However, don’t make this a habit, and try not to stay up very late if you can help it, as that can be bad for you.
International students: Make sure to check out the International student skype group for the ongoing international student projects, or simply to follow the discussion and share tips for attending OHS as an international student. You can contact Aino Alkio (skype: anskua00, email: aino.alkio@hotmail.com) if you are interested in joining the group.