Housing Options at ALIF
ALIF students may choose from the housing options detailed below:
The ALIF Residence
The ALIF student residence is located in a villa across the street from the language center. With a large garden and a splendid view of the old medina of Fez, the residence provides a peaceful setting for studying and relaxing. Students living in the residence have either private or shared rooms and common kitchen and bath facilities. All rooms are furnished, have high ceilings, and many open out onto private balconies.
Costs: Depending on size and time of year, rooms range from 80-160 Dhs/night.
Payment procedures: Residents must pay the ALIF secretary upon receipt of their housing invoice. Due to a limited number of rooms in the residence, ALIF does not accept reservations for this housing option. Students are given rooms on a first-come, first-served basis.
Homestay
A unique feature of ALIF's programs is our Moroccan homestay service. Homestays with Moroccan families entail room and board for a fixed fee and provide the student with a window into family life in Morocco.
Costs: 840 Dhs/week for a single, private room with meals, plus a one-time 350 Dh service fee to ALIF. For stays of less than 3 weeks, the cost is 1120 Dhs per week, plus the service fee.
Payment procedures: The service fee of 350 Dhs and at least three weeks of homestay payment must be paid in advance upon receipt of your homestay invoice. While the service fee and first night of homestay are not refundable, the balance may be refunded following a one-night trial period. Participants subsequently pay for their homestay on a three or six-week basis in advance to the ALIF secretary.
Students desiring homestay should meet with the housing coordinator upon arrival to discuss their specific needs before being placed with a family. Students with specific preferences, such as dietary restrictions, allergies, or the family's distance from ALIF, should indicate these on their application forms. It may not always be possible to provide a homestay within walking distance of ALIF. Please note that our number of homestay families is limited, and that during busy times you may need to be placed on a waiting list.
Other concerns: Students who feel they may have difficulties adapting to life with a Moroccan family should consider other housing options. Among the difficulties experienced by past participants: (1) Lack of privacy (2) Noise from television and radio (3) Unfamiliar meal times and dietary habits (4) Unavailability of study space (5) Unfamiliar sanitary fixtures (in some cases, "traditional" toilets) (6) Location of host family (in some cases involving a bus ride to ALIF). For the overwhelming number of past participants such inconveniences were far outweighed by the positive experience of living with a Moroccan family, whose hospitality is legendary for good reason.
Hotels
ALIF students may receive discounted rates at select hotels in Fez.
Costs: 160 Dhs/night and up.
Reservation procedures: Students wishing to have hotel reservations made prior to their arrival should request this by separate email.
Apartments
For longer stays, apartments can usually be found for ALIF students. Please ask ALIF staff for our list of available apartments and houses.
Costs: 2500 Dhs/month and up.
Other concerns: Students should be aware that there is not a wide selection of apartments in Fez and that looking for an appropriate apartment may take several days. Not all apartments are furnished, so students should factor the cost of furnishing an apartment into rental costs.
- the ALIF Residence
- a Homestay with a Moroccan family
- a hotel
- an apartment or house
The ALIF Residence
The ALIF student residence is located in a villa across the street from the language center. With a large garden and a splendid view of the old medina of Fez, the residence provides a peaceful setting for studying and relaxing. Students living in the residence have either private or shared rooms and common kitchen and bath facilities. All rooms are furnished, have high ceilings, and many open out onto private balconies.
Costs: Depending on size and time of year, rooms range from 80-160 Dhs/night.
Payment procedures: Residents must pay the ALIF secretary upon receipt of their housing invoice. Due to a limited number of rooms in the residence, ALIF does not accept reservations for this housing option. Students are given rooms on a first-come, first-served basis.
Homestay
A unique feature of ALIF's programs is our Moroccan homestay service. Homestays with Moroccan families entail room and board for a fixed fee and provide the student with a window into family life in Morocco.
Costs: 840 Dhs/week for a single, private room with meals, plus a one-time 350 Dh service fee to ALIF. For stays of less than 3 weeks, the cost is 1120 Dhs per week, plus the service fee.
Payment procedures: The service fee of 350 Dhs and at least three weeks of homestay payment must be paid in advance upon receipt of your homestay invoice. While the service fee and first night of homestay are not refundable, the balance may be refunded following a one-night trial period. Participants subsequently pay for their homestay on a three or six-week basis in advance to the ALIF secretary.
Students desiring homestay should meet with the housing coordinator upon arrival to discuss their specific needs before being placed with a family. Students with specific preferences, such as dietary restrictions, allergies, or the family's distance from ALIF, should indicate these on their application forms. It may not always be possible to provide a homestay within walking distance of ALIF. Please note that our number of homestay families is limited, and that during busy times you may need to be placed on a waiting list.
Other concerns: Students who feel they may have difficulties adapting to life with a Moroccan family should consider other housing options. Among the difficulties experienced by past participants: (1) Lack of privacy (2) Noise from television and radio (3) Unfamiliar meal times and dietary habits (4) Unavailability of study space (5) Unfamiliar sanitary fixtures (in some cases, "traditional" toilets) (6) Location of host family (in some cases involving a bus ride to ALIF). For the overwhelming number of past participants such inconveniences were far outweighed by the positive experience of living with a Moroccan family, whose hospitality is legendary for good reason.
Hotels
ALIF students may receive discounted rates at select hotels in Fez.
Costs: 160 Dhs/night and up.
Reservation procedures: Students wishing to have hotel reservations made prior to their arrival should request this by separate email.
Apartments
For longer stays, apartments can usually be found for ALIF students. Please ask ALIF staff for our list of available apartments and houses.
Costs: 2500 Dhs/month and up.
Other concerns: Students should be aware that there is not a wide selection of apartments in Fez and that looking for an appropriate apartment may take several days. Not all apartments are furnished, so students should factor the cost of furnishing an apartment into rental costs.