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< Back Elaine Obenshain Marketing & Development Director Elaine’s retail and wholesale background spans 35+ years working with international and national brands and retailers including JCPenney, Sears, Petrie Corp. and Williamson-Dickies Workwear. She has collaborated on associate customer training programs with leading international brands including Nike, Addis, Dockers, Levi, Dickies, and more. Her roles include brand marketing, visual design, and corporate training. Her life focus has shifted to teaching and social entrepreneurialism with emphasis on empowering local artisans. The virtual exchange program, ENGAGE, was conceived and designed by Elaine and sponsored by the Mohammed VI Polytechnique University's agricultural department, ESAFE. Stevens Initiative was the grantor for this program. Through facilitated dialogues and intentional activities, students develop critical cultural awareness skills that are relevant in today’s global workforce while helping students develop a true #worldclassconnection . In addition to her teaching activities, Elaine co-founded a start-up export company, AMCO to facilitate a growing artisan wholesale export business. She is passionate about her work with American Moroccan Alliance. Elaine possesses a lifelong enthusiasm for exploring the cultures, religions, histories and politics of the world with a focus on Morocco where she has resided for the past six years. americanmoroccanalliance@gmail.com

Subscribe for AMA Updates I want to know about: 5-7 day study tour 7-12 day study tour 14 day service learning program US-Morocco student virtual exchange program Discover Southern Morocco - Laayoune, Smara, Dakhla I want to subscribe to the newsletter and receive email updates from AMA Subscribe Thanks for submitting! Searching for new horizons? Coming Soon in Fall & Winter 2022 Ready to travel again - whether in-person or virtual? Well, we have lots of options for you. Join one of our curated Moroccan adventures for an authentic experience in a country steeped in tradition and brimming with modernity. American Moroccan Alliance is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, non-governmental organization that provides learning and socio-economic opportunities to advance cultural competency in our diverse world. For details, sign up to let us know you're interested in the next available study tours or virtual exchange.

We Build Intercultural Bridges For Global Understanding & Opportunity Your AMA Experience Starts Here American Moroccan Alliance envisions a world in which people from all backgrounds embrace differences. We believe that we are stronger because of them. We advocate for a world where individuals and institutions are empowered to actively work towards advancing global understanding and to take action for collective well-being and sustainable development. We aim to develop responsible citizens through intentional intercultural learning supported by education, virtual and in-country exchanges, and collaborative international business development. AMA programs and partnerships inspire you to take action in your community and the world. Our cross-cultural programs are designed to support your international experience by encouraging you to learn more about yourself, broaden your perspectives on global issues and concerns, and elevate the understanding that workable solutions need to be culturally sensitive to succeed. Read More Discover new horizons EDUCATIONAL TRAVEL & LEARNING ADVENTURES Since 2012 AMA has hosted US students and faculty in Morocco. AMA has developed a comprehensive program with a special emphasis on culture, tradition, and modernity. Our trips are carefully curated for academic faculty, and we have plans to add post-secondary and graduate student study/volunteer travel opportunities. Each customized program underscores our five critical pillars of People to People Diplomacy: Alternative Ambassadors Cultural Competency Global Citizenship Community Service & Volunteerism Peace, Empathy & Understanding Read More VIRTUAL EXCHANGE & SISTER SCHOOLS AMA creates opportunities for students and faculty to collaborate in intercultural exchanges without leaving home. Over the past two years, members of the AMA team have implemented virtual exchange programs with several Moroccan universities and partner universities in the USA. Our virtual exchange programs are tailored to each partnership while focused on building bridges between the US and Morocco. Through sister schools in universities and secondary schools in various regions in Morocco and the USA, AMA is bringing students together through shared classroom experiences and project-based learning. Cultural Competency skills are critical in today's academic and business sectors, and these affordable options make it possible for anyone to acquire important 21st Century Skills for a global world. Read More SOCIO-ECONOMIC COLLABORATIONS American Moroccan Alliance believes that societal needs fuel economic growth and strategic partnerships are critical to business development. We believe in the power of open collaboration and establishing an ecosystem that can truly have an impact. We connect entrepreneurs and businesses who share common goals in Morocco and the USA. To achieve this, we are backed by industry veterans who will help identify and pursue attractive opportunities with long-term potential. Currently, we are working with handicrafts, carob processing & production, and argan sustainability. We are especially interested in leverageable endeavors that are sustainable and in line with the UN SDGs. To learn more, contact us today. Read More

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All Videos Play Video Search video... American Moroccan Alliance Teacher Study Program Play Video مسار مغربي بدالاس Play Video Touring Morocco Rabat, Kenitra and the Coast Play Video Want to learn more about business opportunities in Morocco? Visit Morocco Now for info about new businesses, growing industries, and expanding opportunities for academic and research collaborations. Learn More

Your Donations Have Impact Video Updates Thank you for your incredible generosity following the earthquake in Morocco. We appreciate your trust in AMA and ICOR (International Club of Rabat), a Moroccan nonprofit association with whom we coordinated our efforts. Your donations helped provide approximately 20 shipments (some in association with partner organizations) of essential supplies directly to the most affected people in the region. We were able to reach out in many ways. Two members of ICOR, a doctor and a nurse, volunteered to accompany vehicles to offer medical help. Some of your financial donations have purchased essential medical supplies which are now with those in need. Members sorted and packed donations including food, bedding, clothing and other basic needs. Some members of ICOR and AMA volunteered to drive with supplies, and many of the ICOR delivery teams stayed away from home for many days with little rest. An impressive grassroots logistics coordination and communication system ensured the teams in the field were safe, purposeful in their mission, and well connected to the people in the We are grateful for your swift response to the needs of the Moroccan people. If you haven't made your donation, you can contact us directly to learn how you can help during the rebuilding and rehousing phase in the region Your donation is a blessing to many. Rest assured, 100% of your donations will directly benefit earthquake victims. ​ Ahmed Yanouri American Moroccan Alliance President How You Helped

Learning Adventures Faculty & Student Study Tours Want to know what to expect in our study tours? Take a look at past itineraries. Itinerary #1 Itinerary #2 Discover Morocco with a program designed for secondary and university teachers and faculty. This study tour will give American educators the chance to develop a broad appreciation for the history and Arab-Islamic culture of the Kingdom of Morocco whose friendly relations with the United States date back over 200 years. Participants will focus on issues related to areas such as education, politics, languages, and civil society. We also explore women's issues in the arts, agriculture, administration, and government as powerful traditional and increasingly contemporary forces in Morocco. Each educator will join the program with a clearly defined point of emphasis they intend to take back to their classrooms and AMA will make sure they have access to the information needed to design their classroom experience. The program is specifically designed to expose educators to unique Moroccan experiences through one-to-one exchanges with community leaders, civil society, and government entities. Each curated trip is led by highly qualified speakers and guides who will help us navigate various historical sites, family home visits, and community organizations. When they return to the USA, they will carefully integrate their learnings into the academic curriculum of American schools and universities. ​ To date, AMA estimates that this program and the experiences shared by our participants in their classrooms have impacted over 5000 students and educators in the North Texas region. Building Bridges One Educator At a Time. I'm interested in participating Let us know if you'd like to join us on one of our curated trips. Tell us a little about your interests and submit the form below. I am a: University Professor Secondary School Teacher Undergraduate Student Graduate/PhD Student Secondary School Student International Studies Administrator I want to subscribe to the newsletter and receive email updates from AMA Submit Thanks for submitting!

Service Learning Programs Our service-learning programs are more than "travel tourism." Each program is designed to enhance your chosen academic or career path with emersion into what you already love. Our programs are an excellent opportunity for you to increase your competencies and to get experience in the real world of a topic you want to learn about that can be applied to your personal goals and objectives. Service learning adds real-life experiences to what teachers, institutions, and workplaces perceive as relevant learning, and exposes you to the issues of the world and how you make a difference. ​ Experts in the agricultural sector, academic institutions and faculty members, and buyers and product development professionals are the main subjects of our attention. We curate programs for our participants to gain new insights into these various fields. Our excursions are intimate, focused journeys that lead you off the beaten path to discover new opportunities and creative ways of looking at global challenges. Your enjoyment and adventure are made possible by the fact that each tour is tailored to the group's interests. Additionally, you will learn about important issues and sectors connected to your fields of study and career objectives through cultural and technical exchange. ​ Through service, we learn. Sustainable Farming Email AMA to learn more: AMA@americanmoroccanalliance.com Please tell us your name, academic institution (if applicable), and agricultural specialization. English As A Second Language Want to work with young students in the rural mountains of Morocco to introduce them to English? Email AMA to learn more: AMA@americanmoroccanalliance.com Product Development We connect Moroccan artisans with retailers and product development teams in the US. Buyers can work with the artisans without the middleman. We can introduce your team. Email AMA to learn more: AMA@americanmoroccanalliance.com Physical & Occupational Therapy AMA partners with a rehabilitation center in Marrakech where you can share your talent with those who need your help. This volunteer program is for one month, and includes cultural visits in Marrakech and nearby coastal and desert cities. Email AMA to learn more: AMA@americanmoroccanalliance.com

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What People Say "As a teacher, the trip has allowed me to teach more effectively and to see the Arab world through a different prism. A view not shaped by American television but by experience." Steven Howell ​ Bhavani Parpia "The carefully crafted schedule for educators from the DFW area highlighted the many issues and in some cases, the solutions, that every developing nation faces, from economic growth to human rights." Michelle Nickeson "While Moroccans are dedicated to the historic institution of the Monarchy, they also push for progressive changes, such as those found in the 2011 Constitution. The study tour participants were also able to discuss human rights and women’s rights advances within the country." Asiya Roland "As an American, I have never been so proud of being a Muslim. The compassion, openness, and kindness are genuine. What I witnessed was people treating each other as a brother or a sister and opening themselves as well as their homes, as if that was the only way to be."

Upcoming Events Winter/Spring 2022-23 Rabat, Morocco (date TBD) PEOPLE TO PEOPLE DIPLOMACY IN TODAY'S GLOBAL WORLD Winter/Spring 2022-23 Rabat, Morocco (date TBD) AMA will organize the first annual strategic review conference in Rabat, Morocco to highlight the achievements of our successful Teacher Study Tour program. Teachers from past programs will share their experiences with positive People to People Diplomacy in Morocco and the USA. Join us! See All Details Sun, Jun 11 Study Tour Discover Agriculture In Morocco - Faculty Study Tour Jun 11, 2023, 2:00 PM – Jun 24, 2023, 2:05 PM Study Tour, Morocco Our 14-day study tour explores the agriculture, rich cultural heritage, biodiversity, and regional gastronomy of Morocco including visits to the Atlantic coast, the Atlas Mountains, and the Mediterranean Sea. +4 more Details

PEOPLE TO PEOPLE DIPLOMACY IN TODAY'S GLOBAL WORLD Winter/Spring 2022-23 Rabat, Morocco (date TBD) Thank you for your interest! Tour Details Quick Overview Our 14-day study tour explores the agriculture, rich cultural heritage, biodiversity, and regional gastronomy of Morocco, including visits to the Atlantic coast, the Atlas Mountains, and the Mediterranean Sea. Agriculture is the backbone of the economy in Morocco, with over half the active labor force working in farming. During this program you will visit large commercial farms and local smallholder farms as well as subsistence operations, markets and value-added operations, along with institutions of higher education in agronomy, rural development and scientific research. The program combines these visits with cultural exchange, recreation, music, culinary delights, and many more adventures. What it costs Convenient Pay Plan What's not included Additional info Itinerary Your Study Tour Hosts Melissa Hendrickson Elaine Obenshain Ahmed Yanouri American Moroccan Alliance offers study tours that build intercultural bridges for global understanding and opportunity.