By Kaitlyn Waring | Program Manager
Dear Friends,
We are excited to announce that applications are now open for the University of Virginia (UVA) in Morocco: Participatory Development in Practice summer 2026 program! Running for 8 successful years, this transformative 8-week experience takes place from May 19 to July 11, 2026 and offers a unique opportunity to learn about sustainable community development while working directly with HAF’s team in Marrakech.
What Makes This Program Special?
- Hands-on Learning: Gain practical experience in participatory development through an internship with HAF, working alongside our Moroccan and international team members
- Field Experience: Visit HAF project sites throughout the High Atlas Mountains and engage directly with local communities
- Cultural Immersion: Live in the vibrant city of Marrakech and develop cross-cultural communication skills
- Academic Credit: Earn university credits through courses in Global Development and Moroccan Arabic
- Open to All: This program is open to anyone interested, not just UVA students!
Internship opportunities include: Grant writing, project documentation, research, article writing, business planning for social enterprises, community meeting support, and much more. We welcome participants from all academic backgrounds to bring their unique skills and perspectives.
Program Details:
Dates: May 19 - July 11, 2026
Application Deadline: March 1, 2026
Decision Date: March 10, 2026
Location: Marrakech, with field visits throughout Morocco
Housing in shared apartments and daily breakfast and lunch are provided. Students will have single rooms in apartments in the Gueliz neighborhood, Marrakech’s modern city center.
This is a rare opportunity to contribute meaningfully to grassroots development work while gaining invaluable professional and personal growth. We look forward to welcoming this summer’s cohort!
Don’t just take our word for it–hear directly from past participants about how this program transformed their lives and careers:
"The 2 months I spent in Marrakech, Morocco with the High Atlas Foundation were surreal; I am a fundamentally different person now than I was prior to the program." - Manvi Harde
"Despite my initial fears and hesitations, my summer abroad in Morocco has easily become one of the most transformative and memorable experiences of my life." - Stella Alexiou
"I heard from the firsthand experience of farmers and communities on how they were given the opportunities through the work of the High Atlas Foundation towards creating a more prosperous life for their families." - Lucia Fogler
"As a newly declared Global Development Studies major, I appreciated this program because it gave me a practical look into how I could serve those around me with the knowledge I was gaining at UVA." - Fionette King
"This experience taught me the importance of resilience and adaptability... The journey will be challenging, but the growth and learning that come from it are immeasurable." - Jhordawna Richa
"To prospective students, I urge you to step outside your comfort zone and seek out opportunities that excite and challenge you. Studying abroad can be daunting, but embracing that fear allows you to grow unimaginably." - Stella Alexiou
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