Cultural Exchange and Language Center in Fez
CCE in Fez
Crossroads Cultural Exchange is located at the entrance to the Hay Lalla Soukayna neighborhood in the new city (Ville Nouvelle) of Fez. Located near local shops, restaurants, and public transportation, our center provides a convenient location for students to study.
We have five teachers who teach Moroccan Arabic, and some of them also teach Modern Standard Arabic, Tamazight, and French as well. We have a children’s area, with childcare available for students’ families during some sessions of the day. In addition to our classroom space, we have a cultural library, student lounge with a kitchen, teacher’s lounge with a kitchen, and space for group workshops and meals.
Housing
For your time in Fez, consider doing a homestay with a Moroccan family. A homestay with CCE includes full room and board, with home-cooked meals everyday, as well as living daily life with the local family, being immersed in culture and language.
How to find us
Crossroads Cultural Exchange in Fes is located on Avenue Mohammed VI, at the roundabout "Lalla Soukayna", between the schools EMEP and Hexagone.
By car
When you come from the city centre, go south-west on the main boulevard, Hassan II, past the supermarket "Marjane Market", past the café "La Villa". Continue all the way until you get to the big roundabout that will bring you to the highway towards Meknes and Rabat “Trek Luturoute”. At that roundabout, take a right and continue until the next roundabout (approx. 550 meters) which is called "Lalla Soukayna". Right before the roundabout, Crossroads Cultural Exchange is located on your left, between the schools EMEP and Hexagone.
By taxi
Ask the taxi driver to take you to "Rondpoint Lalla Soukayna,” then exit the taxi at the roundabout. You will see the school "Azzahraa" and next to it the school "Hexagone". Crossroads Cultural Exchange is one building over from Hexagone, right next to another school, EMEP.
#7 Rue 2, Hay Lalla Soukaina, Cave Appt 2
Fes, Morocco
Hours
Monday–Friday
8:30am–5:30pm
+212 6 63 36 30 04
hello@crossroadsculturalexchange.com
About Fez
Fez is the second-largest city in Morocco, with a population of around 1.15 million people. It is located inland and is traditionally considered the Spiritual and Scientific Capital of Morocco. Rich in history, Fez was founded in the late 8th Century and is the site of the oldest university in the world. Several airlines fly directly to Fes from some European destinations.
The city of Fez is one of four Moroccan Imperial Cities, a gem of ancient Arabic architecture and lifestyle. There are two distinct parts of the city: the new city and the Medina of Fez, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ancient tanneries are a must-see. Located within driving distance of Fez are two other UNESCO sites, the Medina of Meknes and the Roman ruins of Volubilis.
Due to its geographic location, the city tends to experience extreme temperatures in the winter and summer. While the climate in Fez is harsh, low humidity makes the weather more bearable. Visitors should be prepared for very cold winters (skiing in Ifrane is 80 kilometers away) and very hot summers. Some asthma sufferers found their problems alleviated in Fez.
Who We Are
Karen Pretorius and Michael and Cailyn Wheatley are three friends who care about culture. Even in their friendship, they continually deepen their understanding of the cultural dynamics that define them. Karen is from South Africa, Michael is from Washington, USA, and Cailyn is from Ohio, USA. They all now live in Morocco and have a combined thirty-plus years of living as expats and working across cultures. They speak English, Spanish, Afrikaans, Modern Standard Arabic, and Moroccan Arabic.
This life experience has made them passionate about helping people understand cultures and navigate intercultural life, whether that’s in Casablanca, Prague, Cape Town, or Columbus.
The CCE staff in Fez also includes five teachers—Malika, Lahsen, Fatima, Abdelhadi, and Saida—and our administrative assistant, Hind.