Davis C. Berry ’27 is a Theatre and Sociology/ Anthropology major at Lewis and Clark. Davis spent Spring 2026 semester studying in Morocco. From Davis:
You’ll be pleased to hear rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated. Yes, it is I, the long lost Davis Berry, writing to you from across the great Atlantic after fulfilling an extended stay in the Kingdom of Morocco! I, along with a tight-knit team of five other intrepid students, including our very own Cassandra Whitmore, have studied, worked, and explored tirelessly for the entirety of this spring semester under the guidance of Sociology and Anthropology Professor Oren Kosansky. I report back to you now with tales from abroad.
Our journey began in the red city, otherwise known as Marrakesh, so named for the natural color of its many old red clay buildings. There we took a crash course in Moroccan Arabic (called Darija) at a mystical place called the Center for Language and Culture. This community gem is a hub of education and fellowship, teaching Moroccan students English, acting as base camp for our academics, and providing a space for various events, including a new course in Moroccan Sign Language! We loved this course since it helped us communicate with our friends working at the in-house Sign Language Cafe.
This initiative helps to provide jobs for deaf Moroccans, and was begun by one of our most beloved professors, Nora Fitzgerald Belahcen! She taught a course called Development and Sustainability in Morocco. Among other things, we got to learn about the amazing work she is doing with her nonprofit Amal, which means hope in Darija. The Sign Language Cafes are just one part of this work, which began with her desire to educate Moroccan women to find employment as chefs. She also provided disaster relief to indigenous Moroccan communities in the Atlas Mountains outside of Marrakesh, which were the epicenter of a devastating earthquake in 2023. We were graciously welcomed into these communities to share a meal with them and witness their way of life. Other Marrakesh highlights include: a brush with the edge of civilization via the Sahara desert (completed on camel-back), a trip to Essaouira (a Portuguese-built city on coastal bluffs) and many evenings spent perusing the souks of Jemaa el-Fna.
Next, we embarked across the Strait of Gibraltar to Grenada, Spain, in the name of adventure! (and to renew our travel visas). There we witnessed the great architectural beauty of the Umayyad Dynasty, a Muslim dynasty that once united Spain and Morocco under one entity now referred to as Andalusia. After a few whirlwind nights watching flamenco, wandering ancient royal gardens, and staring out into the Mediterranean, we decided it was time to clear our heads, report back to the mainland and get down to business.
The next two weeks were in Rabat, the coastal capital of Morocco! There we worked with the Moroccan-American Commission for Educational and Cultural Exchange to continue learning about Moroccan development and sustainability initiatives. We also had the chance to practice traditional Moroccan embroidery and make small versions of zellig, the iconic ceramic tiling that is a staple throughout Moroccan design. Of particular note was the beauty of Rabat’s old city (called a medina in Darija), and our exploration of ancient Roman ruins in the Chellah Necropolis (yes, the Romans made it all the way to the western edge of Africa).
Finally, we wrapped up our adventures in Fez, which is the oldest of all the old cities! And that means old. This time, we stayed in the heart of the medina, which meant maze-like streets, history embedded in the landscape, and… hey, not much of a nightlife, but when in Morocco! There, we worked with the Institute for Languages and Cultures, engaging in new coursework on North African social movements and gender studies within the walls of a traditional Moroccan riad. We also enjoyed excursions to Chefchaouen (the blue city!) Tetouan (the white city!) and one particularly memorable trip to Tangier, although I would advise you not to press for details. As well as some more Roman ruins at the site Volubilis! Man, they got around.
All in all, it was an incredibly rich trip, distinguished by discovery, growth, and most of all, cherished connections made with many lovely Moroccans. If you wish for further information on Lewis and Clark’s study abroad to Morocco, I welcome all inquiries! Save those on Tangier. I trust you’ll respect my discretion in that regard.
A hearty b’slama and see you next year,
Davis Caroline Berry
Theatre is located in Fir Acres Theatre on the Undergraduate Campus.
