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School Trip to Morocco

412 replies

Goldsand · 17/10/2022 19:00

My DDs secondary school have just announced they will be doing a school trip in the next school year to Morocco for my daughters year.

It’s normally Iceland but they have changed it to Morocco this time.

A couple of other mums have said they won’t be sending their kids as they don’t think it’s safe to send their teen girls there.

Iv never been personally but I thought it was a safe country overall.

However, now I’m doubting myself …. I was going to agree to her going even though i think it’s steep as it’s over £1,000.

So…

YABU - It’s safe, don’t worry about it.
YANBU - I would never send my teen child there on a school trip.

OP posts:
CanopusMind · 17/10/2022 21:28

@Forestfever · No I was saying in response to the terror comments would be people send their kids to London :-)

lawandgin · 17/10/2022 21:27

@Forestfever I was referring to the post whereby Canopus implied women are treated as badly in the UK as in North African countries

aboutanidiot · 17/10/2022 21:27

Fastandlupine · 17/10/2022 21:24

Xenophobia then, if you prefer that word. Do you really think men are lurking around every corner to jump on young girls?

Keep trying with the adjectives.

CanopusMind · 17/10/2022 21:27

@lawandgin I've been grabbed and forced down a road here.

They are in a group, the school will have done their background work, plenty of expat kids go on school trips to middle eastern countries.

Terrorist attacks happen in the UK too. Hassle happens in the UK too.

PurpleWisteria1 · 17/10/2022 21:26

Fastandlupine · 17/10/2022 21:24

Xenophobia then, if you prefer that word. Do you really think men are lurking around every corner to jump on young girls?

Yes! Now you’ve got the idea!

Forestfever · 17/10/2022 21:26

lawandgin · 17/10/2022 21:25

Oh come on @CanopusMind - I've never been grabbed and forcibly marched down the road in the UK, nor has DH ever been offered animals in return for me!

Have I misunderstood her post or have you? I believe she was talking about British ex pats living in Middle Eastern countries.

Anonymouslyposting · 17/10/2022 21:26

Fastandlupine · 17/10/2022 21:18

Wow there's a lot of racism on this thread. It would be an amazing trip and they'll be looked after by the school. Camping in the desert sounds like an unforgettable life experience.

To be fair - I’m on the “I’d send her” side and I don’t think those saying they wouldn’t are racist. It’s not racist to say that Morocco is a less safe place than the UK, particularly for young girls, it’s just a fact. Personally I’d be comfortable with DD going somewhere less safe than the UK so long as she was a sensible and I was confident the school had appropriate safe guards. It’s not racist for others to feel differently.

lawandgin · 17/10/2022 21:25

That is my experience, yes @Fastandlupine

lawandgin · 17/10/2022 21:25

Oh come on @CanopusMind - I've never been grabbed and forcibly marched down the road in the UK, nor has DH ever been offered animals in return for me!

aboutanidiot · 17/10/2022 21:25

CanopusMind · 17/10/2022 21:22

@Fastandlupine · People forget that British children in Middle Eastern Countries, go on school trips to Middles Eastern countries ALL THE TIME.

I mean, hell, I haven't heard of any mass kidnappings of any of those children. Look at all the expats in the UAE, Saudi, Qatar, oh and Morocco.

Who accompanies them?

Fastandlupine · 17/10/2022 21:24

Xenophobia then, if you prefer that word. Do you really think men are lurking around every corner to jump on young girls?

AxolotlEars · 17/10/2022 21:24

Don't have a problem with Morocco. I do have a problem with £1000.

PurpleWisteria1 · 17/10/2022 21:24

Pheefifofuckthisshit · 17/10/2022 21:18

I wouldn't spend a grand on a school trip anywhere.

I wouldn't send my school aged child on a school trip abroad without a parent.

I've holidayed in Morocco and loved it btw but it is a very very different culture and you have to be aware of what's going on around you, your surroundings, etc. It would be very challenging for a school trip to keep an eye on a group of kids as you're all weaving through the maze of the Medina IMO.

Last time I was in Morocco everytime you entered or left anywhere eg hotel, tourist attraction, etc they swept/looked under your vehicle for bombs. I found this a mixture of worrying and reassuring! I'd been to Tunisia before their awful terrorist incident so I understood why they do check but it just reminds you that it is a very real risk.

IF you can afford to spend a grand on some travel (which not all families can, cost of living crisis and all that!) Then I'd be suggesting to my teen that we spent it on some other travel with a parent or as a family.

You wouldn’t send a child on an abroad school trip? What any age?
Do you have any kids? How old are they?
Round here all year 5’s go on a 2 night stay in France!
Then in many secondary schools there are opportunities for kids to go abroad every year - maybe for 1 /2 nights, maybe longer.
Not North Africa countries possibly but lots of European, USA, Singapore, Japan and even to the rain forest for conservation.
Amazing opportunities with their peers and other trusted adults who arnt you!

aboutanidiot · 17/10/2022 21:24

toulet · 17/10/2022 21:23

My son went on a school trip to Iraq

recently?

😂

toulet · 17/10/2022 21:23

My son went on a school trip to Iraq

recently?

CanopusMind · 17/10/2022 21:23

woman are obviously 2nd class citizens

So that's no different to here then.

CanopusMind · 17/10/2022 21:22

@Fastandlupine · People forget that British children in Middle Eastern Countries, go on school trips to Middles Eastern countries ALL THE TIME.

I mean, hell, I haven't heard of any mass kidnappings of any of those children. Look at all the expats in the UAE, Saudi, Qatar, oh and Morocco.

toulet · 17/10/2022 21:22

I wouldn't. It's a lovely place but woman are obviously 2nd class citizens & we did get quite harassed despite covering up.

ThatsTheWayIHikeIt · 17/10/2022 21:22

PicaK · 17/10/2022 19:14

Gosh it looks amazing. And a brilliant exposure to a different culture. There's an awareness of safety needed. But in a guided tour /big group they should be fine. I'd be more keen on this than a skiing jolly.

Yeah, let's send our girls to a misogynistic country where women are second class citizens. How great to experience sexual harassment and objectification as a teenager. Woohoo!

lawandgin · 17/10/2022 21:21

Where is the racism @Fastandlupine ? Genuinely interested if I've missed something.

aboutanidiot · 17/10/2022 21:21

Fastandlupine · 17/10/2022 21:18

Wow there's a lot of racism on this thread. It would be an amazing trip and they'll be looked after by the school. Camping in the desert sounds like an unforgettable life experience.

The Moroccans are a race now?

Nothing fucking racist about not wanting your teen daughter to go away without you to a country with not the best track record????

PinkPalaceinthesky · 17/10/2022 21:20

Fastandlupine · 17/10/2022 21:18

Wow there's a lot of racism on this thread. It would be an amazing trip and they'll be looked after by the school. Camping in the desert sounds like an unforgettable life experience.

I am amazed that we got to page 8 before someone came out with that old chestnut.

Fastandlupine · 17/10/2022 21:18

Wow there's a lot of racism on this thread. It would be an amazing trip and they'll be looked after by the school. Camping in the desert sounds like an unforgettable life experience.

rumbypumby · 17/10/2022 21:18

I spent time in Morocco during a gap year when I was 18.

Horrible for young girls. Please don't send her.

Pheefifofuckthisshit · 17/10/2022 21:18

I wouldn't spend a grand on a school trip anywhere.

I wouldn't send my school aged child on a school trip abroad without a parent.

I've holidayed in Morocco and loved it btw but it is a very very different culture and you have to be aware of what's going on around you, your surroundings, etc. It would be very challenging for a school trip to keep an eye on a group of kids as you're all weaving through the maze of the Medina IMO.

Last time I was in Morocco everytime you entered or left anywhere eg hotel, tourist attraction, etc they swept/looked under your vehicle for bombs. I found this a mixture of worrying and reassuring! I'd been to Tunisia before their awful terrorist incident so I understood why they do check but it just reminds you that it is a very real risk.

IF you can afford to spend a grand on some travel (which not all families can, cost of living crisis and all that!) Then I'd be suggesting to my teen that we spent it on some other travel with a parent or as a family.

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