Inspired by his best friend from college, Ali prepared himself to study biology at a German university. He spent two years putting together his dossier. The hardest part was finding a financial sponsor. He needed a family member who made at least 15,000 dirhams a month and was willing to pay his way if necessary. None of his relatives was ready to offer anything more than moral support. Finally, a cousin agreed to do it who had emigrated to the U.S. and was home for the holidays. Ali scored well on his German test, won admission to the university of his choice, and everything was on track. He had one week to get his visa at the German embassy before enrollment at the university closed. He got on the bus to Rabat with all his paperwork, and during the journey a man sat down next to him and offered him a piece of banana. He doesn't know if the banana was drugged, or if the man held a cloth over his face with some chemical substance, but he lost consciousness and only woke up three days later, back at his house in Fez. A fellow student on the bus had recognized him once they got to Rabat, seen his condition, and bought him a ticket home. By the time he recovered enough to return to the embassy, it was too late. Enrollment was closed. Besides, the thief had stolen his portfolio, so all his paperwork was lost. In despair, Ali didn't leave the house for several months. Finally, one of his female cousins found him a job as a way of encouraging him to take charge of his life again. The job didn't pay anything, but because he was fond of her and it would teach him some new skills, he made the effort. He worked there for a year, until he recovered the desire to live independently. He found a job in Casablanca for a few months, then went to Tangier with 50 dirhams in his pocket, because the economy was growing and they needed skilled workers. He has been in Tangier for a year and a half now, and his situation is stable. He shares an apartment with two friends from Fez. He earns just enough to keep afloat without any help from his family.