HOUSING

Housing options at ALIF

ALIF students may choose from the housing options detailed below:

  • the ALIF Residence
  • a homestay with a Moroccan family
  • an apartment or house
The ALIF Residence

The ALIF student residence is located around the corner from ALIF. The residence provides basic accommodations for students looking to live near ALIF. All rooms, whether single or double, are furnished. Each student will have a single bed, wardrobe, desk, chair, fan, bed sheets and linens. Some rooms have balconies. The residence has a shared, fully-equipped kitchen, shared bath facilities, hi-speed WiFi throughout, and a large garden area.

ALIF Residence room prices as of January 2023

Room Single/Double Level Price pp Balcony Private bath
1 Double Bottom 80 DH No No
2 Single Bottom 100 DH No No
3 Single Upper 130 DH Yes No
4 Single Upper 120 DH Yes No
5 Single Upper 130 DH Yes No
6 Double Upper 90 DH Yes No
7 Single Upper 120 DH Yes No
8 Double Upper 90 DH Yes No
9 Double Lower Bottom 70 DH No No
10 Double Lower Bottom 70 DH No No
11 Double Lower Bottom 70 DH No No
12 Single Bottom 150 DH Yes Yes

Reservation & Payment procedures:To reserve a room, please fill out the preference form HERE.

Summer is a busy term and the ALIF Residence is in high demand. Therefore, for Summer terms (1, 2, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B), students must book a 3-, 6-, or 9-week block in the Residence. A 1000 DH deposit is required to confirm the reservation and is deducted from the total invoice. Payment is due in full upon arrival. Check-in and check-out dates are set according to the academic calendar. See dates below for each term.

Summer Term Check-in date* Check-out date*
1 May 21 July 4
2 June 11 July 26
3A May 21 June 11
3B June 11 July 4
3C July 4 July 26
4A May 21 July 26
4B May 21 July 26

*Check-in time is 6.30pm and check-out time is 2.00pm

Here's the location on Google Maps: ALIF Student Residence.

Below are images from rooms in the ALIF Residence


Homestay with a Moroccan Family

A feature of ALIF's programs is the Moroccan homestay service. Homestays with Moroccan families provide room and partial board for a fixed fee and offer the student with a window into family life in Morocco. Rooms are not shared with family members and can be single or double (for students on programs). Prices include two meals per day.

Students studying MSA and choosing to live with a Moroccan family for three or more weeks are eligible to enroll in ALIF’s free 10-hour Darija (Moroccan Arabic) homestay course to help facilitate communication with family members. This short course has been designed specifically for homestay students and addresses basic family-oriented conversation.

Students desiring a homestay should fill out the preference form HERE. Homestays are located in various parts of the city and many necessitate the use of taxis or public transportation. Students move into homestays the night of orientation. They should make their own accommodation arrangements for nights before this.

Cost and Payment procedures:
  • Nightly homestay rates vary depending on the length of stay
    • 165dh per night for 1 to 20 nights
    • 150dh per night for 21 or more nights
  • 500dh non-refundable homestay placement fee, paid in advance, regardless of the number of homestay nights
  • Homestay invoices must be paid in full in advance
  • For longer stays, ALIF will invoice you for 3 or 6 weeks at a time
  • The first night of any homestay is not refundable. However, the balance after the first night may be refunded should a new placement become necessary.

Living with a family can be rewarding, but also presents some challenges. Below are a few that previous students have experienced. If you feel as though you would not be able to adapt to life with a family, you may wish to consider other housing options.

  • Lack of privacy
  • Noise
  • Unfamiliar meal times and/or dietary habits
  • Location of host family (in some cases involving an affordable taxi 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.


Apartments & Houses

Students should be aware that there is not a wide selection of furnished apartments and houses in Fes. We have a list of places where students have stayed before that can be shared upon request. Be aware that the search may take several days.

While ALIF is willing to provide advice about the terms of the lease, it is ultimately an independent arrangement between the student and the landlord.