Faculty Testimonial
A Conversation with Dr. Eric Greaux
Recipient of the 2025 MOBT Global Engagement Grant
Associate Professor of Religion, Winston-Salem State University
Interview Summary
Dr. Eric Greaux discusses his experience with the MOBT Global Engagement Grant, highlighting its value in providing a unique and impactful study abroad opportunity in Morocco. He emphasizes how the country offers a rich and "exotic" setting to study a variety of topics, particularly the Abrahamic religions as minority faiths. The professor praises the in-country support provided by the local team, noting their patience and invaluable knowledge, which helped him envision a clear path forward for a future faculty-led program. He encourages other faculty members to apply for the grant, stressing that there is "no substitute for personal experience" and the life-changing impact it can have on students.
Full Interview
What initially motivated you to apply for the MOBT Global Engagement Grant, and how did the overall experience align with your expectations?
I applied for the grant because I saw in it the opportunity to explore taking my students to a country that perhaps they would not have considered before. Typically when students think of Study-Abroad, they are looking at London, Rome, or Paris. Perhaps, they might consider Cuba or Puerto Rico. I was planning a Study-Tour of Israel, and then the war began. Ten I began planning for a Study-Tour of Italy and its religious sites; it would have been fine, but hackneyed. Morocco, on the other hand, is an excellent opportunity to accomplish a significant task (learning about the Abrahamic religions in a different manner) and an exotic setting.
During your time in Morocco, what stood out to you the most (whether culturally, academically, or logistically) as you considered your future faculty-led program?
What stood out most was the ease of being able to study a variety of topics within any given theme. My original plan was to examine the religions of Morocco (Islam, Christianity, and Judaism). It is a marvelous opportunity to study Islam in a majority Muslim country, and to study Judaism and Christianity as minority religions in the same context; this is a reverse of the American experience. Yes, there will be certain areas of culture shock, but isn't that the beauty of international travel?
How did the in-country support provided by MOBT Global impact your ability to envision and plan a potential program for your students?
MOBT Global team were outstandig in showing and describing the range of possible learning opportunities for my students. They were patient in answering my questions - sometimes the same ones on multiple occasions. Their knoweldge of the country's history, languages, and culture was enviable. While I has some ideas of what I wanted to do with students in Morocco, they helped me to explore other ideas that would make them even more exciting and impactful. At the end of the day, I want my students to leave Morocco having had a life-changing experience. I want them to leave with stories that they will tell classmates, friends, and family for the rest of their lives.
Do you see a clear path forward for developing a faculty-led program in Morocco at your institution? If so, what would be your next steps? If not, what are the obstacles that need to be addressed?
Yes, I definitely see a clear path to developing the Study-Abroad program for WSSU students. My goal is to take a group in March 2026. I have already begun to answer the required questions on the MOBT website that will lead to the final product. In discussing these matters with the head of International Studies at WSSU, we recognized that the only major obstacle will be cost. However, I am sure that we will be able to explore options to keep the cost within a reasonable range for our students.
How would you describe Morocco to a fellow faculty member who is considering Morocco as a destination for their faculty-led program?
Morocco is an absolutely beautiful country with endless opportunities for programming. The people are beautiful (and that's not just because I was mistaken for being Moroccan). It is easy to maneuver and the cost of goods and services is fair. There was never a time when I felt unsafe - even when traveling by myself day or night. I can't wait to go back to Morocco.
What would you say to a fellow faculty member who is thinking about applying for the MOBT Global Engagement Grant in the future?
There is no substitute for personal experience. Yes, anyone can read about a country in books or watch videos on YouTube. But you will never be able to fully understand what makes this country so unique - for example, the delicacy of the foods, the intricacies of the architecture, the excitement of shopping in the medinas, the scents at the tanneries, the frequent calls to Muslim prayer sounding throught the land - unless you experience it for yourself. Think about the possibilities of sharing those same kinds of experiences with students. There really is nothing like seeing the eyes of students as they have these kinds of experiences for the first time. Apply!
Ready to Make an Impact?
The MOBT Global Engagement Grant is a highly competitive opportunity for faculty to visit Morocco and learn about faculty-led program opportunities in the country.
Apply for the Grant