Meet Maslynn Jean “Maisey” McRobbie, a fourteen year old TCK living in Tetouán, Morocco. Her schedule is jam-packed this year, as she’s enrolled in U.S. History for High School Photography: Beginner to Brilliant, English 3 Lit Analysis and Comp: Justice and Journeys, Bible Survey, Algebra (Honors), and Spanish 2. Although she’s “basically dying,” Maisey loves TPS so it all evens out.
This is Maisey’s fifth and final year with TPS since her family will be moving back to the States in June. The rest of her high school will be spent in a brick-and-mortar public school.
Recently, Maisey has come to love photography, specifically portrait photography. Her other interests include reading, talking with people, and listening to music. Maisey’s favorite series are Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Heroes of Olympus, and Hunger Games. Additionally, her favorite artists are Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, and Camila Cabello. For movies and TV shows, she likes Jumanji: The Next Level and Monk or Psych (any crime show, action, or comedy, really).
A strange fact about Maisey is that she likes strawberry jam on her eggs. This has been a new discovery for her but she highly recommends it—if you are brave enough to try such a combination, that is.
Maisey’s family has lived in Morocco for fifteen years, which is longer than she’s even existed. However, she was born in the States and returned to Fes, Morocco when she was only eight weeks old. As of now, Maisey speaks English, a tiny bit of Arabic, and a fair amount of Spanish. She actually went to a Spanish private school in Tetouán from pre-kindergarten to third grade.
Maisey enjoys seeing her family and hanging out with her cousins when she visits the United States. She also loves movie theaters and buttered popcorn, which is a far cry from the Morocco theater experience. On the other hand, when she’s in the States, Maisey misses her team and food—especially couscous—from Morocco.
Maisey always finds herself saying “like” way too much, which is a habit picked up from her passport country. And although she personally doesn’t whistle often, her father does—which is unfortunate, because whistling is seen as something the “jinn” or “evil spirit” does in Morocco. Another interesting cultural difference is that it’s normal for people to cross their legs in the States, but showing the bottom of your foot like that is considered rude where she lives.
What Maisey finds special about Morocco is that she can see the city evolving from where it first started. Right now, the country has only had its second king and Spain has taken over parts of it as well. Not many people were fond of the original king and with him off the throne, the country is beginning to develop from a third world country. This includes Morocco getting its first modern hospital! Overall, Maisey says it’s been cool to live in an old place and watch it become “new.”
A Bible verse which has connected with Maisey is Jeremiah 29:11. It says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (NIV). This speaks to her because when you’re living in another country or going through a transition, the anxiety of not knowing what’s going to happen can be so hard. Despite everything feeling wrong and different, Maisey says it’s important to remember that God has a plan and His plan is never to bring harm to you. He wants you to prosper and live a full life!
With that said, the last spotlight of the year is concluded! Thank you so much, Maisey, and the amazing people I was able to spotlight! Also, thanks to all the readers of the TCK/MK spotlights!