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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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:
Avidreader69 · 17/10/2022 21:09

I really wouldn't want to send a teenage girl there. It's a vastly different culture to the UK, women are second class citizens and there are endless possibilities for harassment and worse.
If you have £1000 to spare, take her on a family trip to a safer country. A Canadian rail tour to view The Rockies?

Neapolitanicecream · 17/10/2022 21:09

I would wonder why the teachers are choosing this trip

Anonymouslyposting · 17/10/2022 21:10

I have been to Morocco several times, never felt unsafe and would generally be happy to send a year eight child there on a school trip.

However, my only caveat is that it depends what your DD is like. In a group, if she’s sensible I wouldn’t worry at all but if she’s the type to deliberately wander off for fun or push her luck being naughty (as a group of teen girls did on a school trip I went on to Russia did by sneaking out to find drinks), or even if she’s not very aware of her surroundings I would hesitate. It’s ridiculously easy to get lost in Marrakesh- the chances of anything bad happening if you did are minimal, most people are super friendly and used to helping tourists find their way but it could still be scary for a young girl alone. If she’s the type to keep her head in situations like that then fine but if she’ll get easily scared I might wait until she’s older.

aboutanidiot · 17/10/2022 21:11

Who proposed this destination?

Thatiswild · 17/10/2022 21:12

The only place I have ever felt genuinely fearful that something bad might happen to me while travelling is Morocco, in Marrakesh. I was on edge the whole time and burst into tears of relief when I got on transport out of there. Not a chance I’d send my same age daughter.

aboutanidiot · 17/10/2022 21:13

Anonymouslyposting · 17/10/2022 21:10

I have been to Morocco several times, never felt unsafe and would generally be happy to send a year eight child there on a school trip.

However, my only caveat is that it depends what your DD is like. In a group, if she’s sensible I wouldn’t worry at all but if she’s the type to deliberately wander off for fun or push her luck being naughty (as a group of teen girls did on a school trip I went on to Russia did by sneaking out to find drinks), or even if she’s not very aware of her surroundings I would hesitate. It’s ridiculously easy to get lost in Marrakesh- the chances of anything bad happening if you did are minimal, most people are super friendly and used to helping tourists find their way but it could still be scary for a young girl alone. If she’s the type to keep her head in situations like that then fine but if she’ll get easily scared I might wait until she’s older.

All it takes (in my imagination) is a corrupt madam, a few fraudsters, a block booking of British kids and ............. yeah...........FUCK NO.

Branleuse · 17/10/2022 21:13

I wouldnt send my kids to marrakech without me. Its so overwhelming as a place imo

aboutanidiot · 17/10/2022 21:15

I've worked for companies where we sent our fucking executives with bodyguards to negotiate deals there as the risk of kidnap was so high!

Anonymouslyposting · 17/10/2022 21:15

aboutanidiot · 17/10/2022 21:13

All it takes (in my imagination) is a corrupt madam, a few fraudsters, a block booking of British kids and ............. yeah...........FUCK NO.

Show quote history

Well, yes, if you think there’s a risk the school haven’t done their due diligence properly and have booked with a madam and some fraudsters then obviously that changes things!

Forestfever · 17/10/2022 21:15

From a safety POV, I would have no issues. From a money POV I would think WTF? That's an awful lot of money for Morocco.

keepcalm11 · 17/10/2022 21:16

No chance fro me , Im surprised school are considering it 😕

aboutanidiot · 17/10/2022 21:16

Anonymouslyposting · 17/10/2022 21:15

Well, yes, if you think there’s a risk the school haven’t done their due diligence properly and have booked with a madam and some fraudsters then obviously that changes things!

Show quote history

It's kind of the job I signed up to when I got pregnant. NO NO NO NO NO FUCKING WAY.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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????

lawandgin · 17/10/2022 21:21

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

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!

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.

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.

CanopusMind · 17/10/2022 21:23

woman are obviously 2nd class citizens

So that's no different to here then.

toulet · 17/10/2022 21:23

My son went on a school trip to Iraq

recently?

aboutanidiot · 17/10/2022 21:24

toulet · 17/10/2022 21:23

My son went on a school trip to Iraq

recently?

😂

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!