Last summer I assembled an application for a Fulbright Scholarship to Morocco and about two month ago was notified that my proposed research project was accepted by the screening committee of IIE program (i.e. IIE = Institute of International Education) in the US. They then forwarded my application on to Morocco and finally sat in the hands of some folks over at the U.S. Department of State. It was a part time job writing and gathering all the different components to the application, and waiting for a response made me nervous. But enough of that! I am beyond excited and extremely honored to be chosen. I am going to Morocco!
I will be conducting research on a new online mathematics program for students in middle school and its effect on girls specifically. The program was developed at Al-Akhawayn University in Ifrane and is being implemented in middle schools both in the small mountain town of Ifrane and in the larger city of Fez, about 30 minutes away. I hope to be working in middle schools at both locations in addition to tutoring or providing after-school help sessions.
Next step in the process? Beginning this blog, of course. It will serve as a place for me to post my experiences and pictures (research and non-research related) as I prepare for and carry out my research project.
Currently I have been spending a good amount of time at the library finding and flipping through pertinent material that has been helping me decide more concretely how exactly I intend to carry out the research I proposed in my application.
I am also hoping to receive the Critical Language Enhancement Award (CLEA) through the good people at the Fulbright Program. It would be 3-4 months of Arabic language study before my research grant begins at a language institute or university of my choice. I am looking at the Arabic Language Institute in Fez and the Qalam wa Lawh program in Rabat. The program in Rabat seems more fitting to the CLEA guidelines but oh, to live in Fez!
lauramcadams.com 
Laura – It is great to read your column, and I admire you for all the energy and challenges you are taking, when they come – you grap them!! – do not know if you remember me, but I am member of the Copenhagen family (Scott´s Danish family)
All the best for the time back home and not the least when you are leaving in 3 weeks time for Marocco!
Marianne
Hi Marianne!
How could I forget that great visit in Denmark with you and your family? Please come to visit me in Morocco so I can return the favor and show you around!
Laura
What a great opportunity for you! I hope you really enjoy the experience, you are so fortunate. Will see you soon at Erik’s graduation. Congratulations!
Laurs! I’m so glad your are doing this. I hope you update this often while you’re away! Will be so great to read. You have to follow my blog now too! hah. Great seeing you over the weekend too, was such a leisurely casual day. lovely.
Hello Laura: Mike and I are going to be reading your blog everyday. We are very proud of you.
Hi Laura. This is Becki, Liz’s friend. Liz forwarded me your post and I am so glad she did. I am so happy to hear you have been selected for thus incredible research project. I can hear your excitement and see that your are going to take that with you to the people you meet and into your research. My very best wishes for you. I can’t wait to follow along.
Wow this is so awesome. i can’t wait to hear about all your adventures. Be safe and please post often. your biggest fans are here in the states!