Dawgs In the Desert – Morocco Connect Abroad Reflections 

Dawgs make their mark wherever they go, and now their prints are left behind in the golden sands of Morocco. For three first-year students — international affairs major Brady Hawkins, regenerative bioscience major Bram Rosenblatt and music education major Nichole Botsoe — the opportunity to take their studies overseas through the University of Georgia’s recently-introduced Connect Abroad program provided an unforgettable experience. 

We asked them, their faculty lead Maria Navarro and Director of Global Education Yana Cornish to share their stories. Their answers reveal why studying abroad is more than a trip; it’s a transformation. 

Yana Cornish, Director of Global Education at UGA’s Office of Global Engagement, affirms the value of such experiences: “Studying abroad is a life-changing experience that goes beyond the classroom. Having successfully completed its second year, Connect Abroad provides first-year students with the chance to explore new cultures, gain fresh perspectives, and form meaningful connections with their peers and faculty. These experiences promote independence, adaptability, and a global mindset, valuable skills that will stay with our students long after their time at UGA.” 

Navarro said it was inspiring to watch students on the trip embrace the experience with “curiosity, openness and reflection.” 

“Though the title of the program is ‘Students in the Desert,’ what they encountered was far more than sand. They discovered Morocco as a place of richness, complexity, and learning, with vibrant green landscapes and a living culture that invited them to see the world with new eyes,” Navarro said “In just nine days, they built a genuine community, asked thoughtful questions, and stretched themselves in ways that speak to the heart of what experiential learning is meant to do. This short-term program is designed to spark a journey, and our students not only took that first step but also made the program stronger through their engagement, generosity and drive to make meaning of it all. It is a reminder that, even early in college, students are ready for transformative experiences that shape their thinking, their relationships and their path forward.” 

When choosing a study abroad destination, Brady Hawkins did not hesitate in selecting Morocco. 

“I wanted a culture totally unlike the U.S.,” said Hawkins. “I’d never been to Africa, and Morocco felt like a place I wouldn’t just stumble into with my family.” 

His favorite moment? A night in Meknes, cooking tagine in a class and breaking fast with local college students. “Their views were so different from mine; it was eye-opening,” said Hawkins. 

The experiences held special meaning for Hawkins, who is an international affairs and marketing major with a French minor in the Franklin College. 

Nichole Botsoe, a music education major in the Franklin College Hugh Hodgson School of Music, found the Morocco trip to be a vibrant journey beyond just scenery. Every meal turned into a lively mix of dancing and unfamiliar instruments, showcasing a joyful, free style of music that stood out from anything she’d known. 

“The way the musicians played with so much joy and freedom felt completely different from what I have experienced,” she said, adding that the trip is already shaping her future teaching plans. As an African American student with Ghanaian heritage, the trip carried deep personal weight. Morocco struck her as a cultural bridge between Africa and Europe, making it the perfect steppingstone before she explores Ghana. 

Bram Rosenblatt, majoring in regenerative bioscience in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences with a criminal justice minor in the Franklin College, describes the experience as anything but ordinary. “No day was typical,” said Rosenblatt. “One minute you’re on a camel, the next you’re shopping in markets or watching live music at dinner.” Rosenblatt’s advice to others who are studying abroad is simple: “Don’t take it for granted. Journal everything — the sights, adventures and every feeling. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.” 

The impact of the trip remains with each of them in different ways. For Botsoe, it was a reminder to leave assumptions behind. “Marrakesh erased every abstract idea I had about Morocco. Go with an open mind,” she said. 

Brady discovered how powerful it can be to connect with people whose lives and perspectives are far from your own. For Bram, the message is clear: “If you’ve got even a flicker of desire, take it. You won’t regret it.” 

In the Franklin College, Study Abroad is more than just a trip; it’s a chance for students like Brady, Bram and Nichole to step outside their comfort zones, experience the world and its cultures, learn in new environments and bring those experiences back to campus and keep them for a lifetime.