While abroad in Morocco, Maria was able to travel the country, take a course on Islamic Politics, and a course discussing women’s rights in Morocco, as well as working at Al Amal pour le Développement et Formation, an NGO which focuses on women’s education and economic development. The time she speant at Al Amal was truly formative for her, as it combined her academic passions of Women and Gender Studies, and international studies, with real life experiences of how these two subjects intersect. This experience has only pushed Maria more to continue with her professional goals of working as a human rights lawyer, and eventually as a director of an NGO.  In her classes and while traveling, she was forced to find a greater confidence in herself and her ability to succeed – even in much different environments and situations than she had known previously. While working as an English language instructor at Al Amal, she was able to practice her Arabic and French language skills while working with women and children involved with the center. This experience has had a lasting impact on Maria’s perception of her ability to lead, to grow, and to persevere through times of insecurity.