France Remains Top Study Destination for Moroccan Students, Drawing 40,000 Annually

Studying in France is a dream for many Moroccans who are putting all the chances on their side to take up this challenge. This investigation by the newspaper Le monde Afrique looked at these young people to understand the reasons that motivate them to take this leap into the unknown.

Omar, a 17-year-old high school student in Rabat, is already putting together his application file for France. According to the newspaper, he wants "to join a DUT in marketing techniques or in luxury". He is determined, but the increase in university tuition fees and all the other ancillary costs worry him enormously.

They must be many to be concerned about the increase in tuition fees, but it is impossible, according to the newspaper, to assess the impact of this situation on the enthusiasm of young Moroccans.

Other factors, according to Le monde Afrique, also push Moroccans to cross the Mediterranean. These include tuition fees that remain affordable in France. The newspaper cites the testimony of Ahmed, a young graduate with a Master’s degree in International Relations.

He mentioned that the cost of living would have been much too expensive if he had studied in Great Britain, Canada or the United States. In addition, to cope with the cost of studies, France offers some recipes like paid internships in international companies that can even pay tuition fees and compensate for sandwich courses, says Hamza Dahmani of AMGE.

In addition to affordable tuition fees, the newspaper estimates that the similarity of programs in France and Morocco remains a major asset for students who, once in France, quickly find their bearings.

The newcomers, in case of difficulties, can always count on the spirit of mutual aid of the former, indicates the newspaper. Similarly, associations easily put the new ones in contact with those who are already settled.

This is the case of AMGE, which has more than 4,000 former students integrated in France, who willingly share their experiences. To get information, the community has also invested in social networks, in particular Facebook groups.

In addition, Campus France organizes workshops and seminars on guidance, administrative procedures and the French experience. A whole program, according to the newspaper.