SIT: School for International Training Study Abroad

SIT Study Abroad

Why choose SIT Study Abroad?

SIT has been providing immersive, field-based study abroad programs for undergraduates for more than 50 years. SIT offers more than 70 programs in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East, as well as comparative programs in multiple locations. In addition to its rich history, SIT Study Abroad has a number of unique qualities that make it an ideal choice for an extraordinary, transformative study abroad experience.

SIT students step beyond the boundaries of a traditional classroom to analyze critical issues shaping local communities around the globe. Students become deeply engaged in a topic and undertake their own research, case studies, in-depth practica, or community projects. SIT Study Abroad is deeply embedded in local communities around the world.

Ready for the next level? Take your graduate studies abroad with SIT Graduate Institute: https://www.gooverseas.com/organization/sit-graduate-institute-reviews

Scholarships

SIT Available Scholarships & Grants

SIT Study Abroad awards need-based scholarships and grants. Scholarships and grants are available to all students accepted into an SIT Study Abroad program irrespective of citizenship, national origin, or home school.

Value
$500 - $5,000

Diversity & Inclusion 💙

Reviews

Default avatar
Lily
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Amazing Argentine Adventure!

My experience abroad was truly unique and incredibly enriching, standing out significantly from other study abroad programs. Its immersive nature was the primary reason I chose this program, particularly the opportunity to live with a host family.

The program team genuinely cares about your well-being and success. They were consistently present and supportive throughout the entire duration, making me feel comfortable and looked after in a foreign country.

Academically, the program offers an in-depth exploration of Argentina. The lecturers are not only experts in their fields but also incredibly insightful, providing a comprehensive understanding of the country's history, culture, and society. Beyond the classroom, there are abundant opportunities to explore Buenos Aires.

One of the most distinctive aspects of this program is the two group travel excursions that allowed us to meet with indigenous communities. This was a profound and eye-opening experience, offering a perspective rarely found in other study abroad programs.

For the one-month period, you have the choice between an internship or individual research. I opted for the research path, and the program's extensive network was very helpful. They connect you with experts who provide guidance and support throughout your research project.

Overall, this program is an excellent opportunity for anyone seeking an immersive and academically rigorous experience abroad. It goes far beyond typical study abroad programs because of its cultural engagement and unique learning opportunities.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
1. Practice Your Spanish: You're in Argentina, so immerse yourself! Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Try to speak Spanish as much as possible, not just with your host family, but also your friends in the program. The more you practice, the more you'll get out of the experience.
2. Choose Your Final Month Wisely (Internship vs. Research): Think about your academic and career goals. Come with an open mind about topics, but also think about areas you're genuinely passionate about. The network of experts is fantastic, so be proactive in utilizing their knowledge.
Default avatar
Radha
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Beautifully designed program

The academic and program directors are amazing and really provide an immersive experience. You get to learn from experts across various disciplines and community members. You become very familiar with the program location and the province in general through field trips and your courses. Antarctica alone makes the whole experience worth it! The internship was very research focused and gives you the opportunity to exercise your project management skills and conduct an independent study. Public transport in the city was reliable and safe. Hiking was mind-blowing. Great bakeries and cafes. More nightlife than you would think.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Know what you are signing up. It is a smaller, remote city. Embrace it but also it has more to offer than you know. Latin dance classes, hiking, climbing gyms, bakeries and cafes, bars, clubs, yoga, boxing, ceramics. rail riding, and sailing. Your home stay and general experience is what you make of it, the effort that you put in.
Pros
  • Outdoors
  • Reliable public transport and walkable
  • Safe
Cons
  • Smaller town, local people have somewhat insular communities
  • Stray dogs, lots of them
  • Resturant scene meh, but grocercy stores have everything, plus health food stores
Default avatar
Jacob
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

One of the Best Decisions I've Made

Before applying, I had doubts about whether I should study abroad and whether or not it should be with this program. Now that I have completed it, however, the thought that I might have gone elsewhere haunts me. I am so thankful to have been a student in Ecuador with SIT, and it has had major positive impacts on my plans for the future.

As a student of Environmental Biology in St. Louis, this program gave me field research experiences I couldn't have gotten anywhere else that perfectly complemented what I had already learned in school. After numerous trips to conduct research in some of the coolest places on Earth (cloud forests, the Amazon, the Paramo, and the Galapagos islands), I spent a month studying spider populations in the Amazon for an independent research project that I was able to bring from initial concept to a completed research paper. If this seems intense, fear not! The lovely professors of this program will help build your confidence over the semester and teach you the skills necessary to do something similar yourself (I certainly felt that way). On top of all of this, I met lovely people along the way and felt truly comfortable and informed within the Ecuadorian cultural context.

If you are interested in gaining field research experience, seeing some of the most gorgeous parts of the world, and applying theoretical ecology concepts that you've learned in school, look no further. This program is perfect.

Default avatar
Kelly
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Most hands on and transformative semester of my life!

I had a wonderful time in abroad with SIT Argentina: Social Movements and Human Rights. This program is truly unique, in its ability to not only immerse you culturally and linguistically in Argentina, but also to expose you to all of the incredible organizing, resilience, and friendliness of Argentinian people from across the country. If you are looking to know Argentina as a country (not just Buenos Aires) this program is for you. The program directors ensure that you have enriching experience filled with field-based learning exposing students to different grassroots organizations, introducing them to notable Argentinian scholars and activists, and allowing students to culturally immerse and challenge themselves through living with a host family. This program was incredible to me because it allowed me to immerse myself in the social and political of Argentinian people across the country and connect and build my own community away from home. My experience with my host family was unforgettable and I built a bond that I will treasure for the rest of my life. I will forever miss having ice cream with Graciela over the dinner table at 10pm! It gave me the opportunity to connect, to accompany, and to be in community with others. If you're looking for a country and a program that will make you feel at home and supported while you're off discovering Argentina and yourself, this is the program for you!

Default avatar
Dipshika
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Informative & Adventurous

This program is super informative about Spain's history and political climate. The courses were eye-opening, and you get to hear from local professors with different academic backgrounds. However, the classes may feel redundant sometimes according to your preferences. The program director and coordinator are very supportive and adaptable, which made adjusting to life in Seville much easier.

My cohort had 12 people & we got along really well, which made the experience even better. But even if you don't click with your group, there are plenty of chances to meet locals & other students

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
1. Be patient with the slower pace of life. Many shops and restaurants might close midday for "siesta", and plans can feel flexible.

2. Bring a portable phone charger because between using maps, translators, and taking photos, your phone battery won't last long in Seville's heat. You don't want to be stuck without a way to contact your program coordinators in case you need to.
Pros
  • Morocco Excursion was a major highlight for me. It gave me the chance to learn firsthand about North African culture and its connection to Spain.
  • Supportive Staff
  • Lots of opportunities to travel if you plan effectively
Cons
  • I was expecting my homestay family to speak at least some basic english to be able to communicate but that wasn't the case for me. However, I didn't mind it at all, we used google translate to translate everything, even the texts.

Programs

Displaying 1 - 9 of 42

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I chose this program because I knew I wanted to go to Peru for my semester abroad, but also for its theme and academic focus.

Indigenous people and their cultures are a topic rarely discussed in academia, even though they have made many important contributions to societies all across the globe. I wanted to learn more about indigenous groups in Peru and how they are adapting to a constantly changing world.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

The SIT website had several pre-departure documents, checklists, and other prep materials available in order to help me feel more ready for my semester abroad. The program admissions counselor and alumni contact I had were both very helpful in answering all of my questions as well. The syllabi for the academic courses were also clearly outlined on the program site.

On my own, I had to put in the effort to practice my Spanish before leaving. I was also in charge of determining my own flights and how long I would stay after the program ended.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

It's okay to be nervous or anxious! Although adjusting into a new culture and language will be challenging, once you settle down into a routine the city you're in will feel like home in no time. Overcoming any personal obstacles that arise during your time abroad will make you a stronger, more confident person.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

During the week, you'll typically have classes from 8:30 AM to around 12 PM or 12:30. These classes include Spanish language, history, research ethics, and more. After class, you'll eat lunch with your host family.

You can spend your free time in the afternoon doing a number of things. You can relax and study at a cafe, go see a movie, or walk to the Plaza de Armas to do some shopping. There are lots of nice gardens and parks all around the city, too. I took dance classes (hip hop and salsa) at a local dance school, which was super fun!

On the weekends, you can spend a whole day traveling to the mountain outskirts of Cusco and go see some pretty cool sights. My favorites were the famed Rainbow Mountain and the incredible Lake Humantay. Both are great sites for doing some hiking! There are also several Incan ruins close to the city that you can visit, including Saqsaywaman and Puka Pukara.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear going in was feeling isolated or lost. I was worried that I wouldn't make any friends in my program, or that I wouldn't like the feel of Peruvian culture. I was also concerned that I wouldn't feel safe in Cusco.

Contrary to my fears, I made friends quickly. Everyone in my program (a small group of 11 people) was kind, friendly, and easy to get along with. We all became very close after a short period of time. These people became my biggest support in Peru, and we had a lot of fun hanging out at cafes together or going on hiking trips.

Thanks to my new friends, my transition into Peruvian culture was much easier. I also had a lovely host family that made me feel very welcome and accepted. It did take a fair amount of time, but eventually, I became much more comfortable and settled into my life in Cusco. The city was also much safer than I expected, so I felt silly after worrying so much about safety.

The most important thing about adapting to a new culture is to have an open mind. If you don't open yourself up to new opportunities to interact with people and learn about their ways of life, then you aren't taking full advantage of the joys of being abroad. Be accepting of any new chances that come your way!

What was your favorite thing about Peru?

It's hard to pick just one! From the abundance of adorable llamas and alpacas to the delicious variety of maracuya (passionfruit) flavored foods, I loved practically everything about Peru.

I think I felt truly happiest when I hiked to the top of Lake Humantay with my friends. It was a really tough hike and we were all very tired when we reached the top, but the beautiful view made it worth it.

Living with a host family was also a wonderful experience. I became really close with them and we are still in touch today!

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Eric Wirth

Nothing goes better with a cup of morning/afternoon/late night coffee than getting to know Eric Wirth, the director of admissions for SIT Study Abroad, and the culture of SIT Study Abroad a little bit better.
Mountain Watching

Tell me a little about yourself. What has been your career path so far?

My passion for education abroad began after spending a year abroad in Elche, Spain during my junior year of high school. I landed my first job after college as an admissions counselor for a study abroad provider. After several years in the work force, I returned to graduate school at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where I had the opportunity to serve for a year as the resident director to one of the university’s programs in Spain. After finishing my MA, I reentered the world of international education with greater knowledge and an enhanced perspective on higher education and learning abroad.

Did you study abroad after high school?

I’ve studied abroad a total of four times; once in high school, twice in college – one semester and one summer – and then for a year as a graduate student. Each time in Spain. Through each experience, I learned more and was able to take my level of cultural and linguistic understanding to a deeper level. I suspect one day I will work toward a doctorate, and I can guarantee I will study abroad again. My first instinct would be to return to Spain to delve back into the culture and languages I adore.

As for SIT, what are the core principles that you strive to achieve?

At our core, SIT Study Abroad programs foster academic rigor, intensive cultural immersion, substantial community involvement, and an emphasis on field-based research.

What does the future hold for SIT? Any new exciting programs to share?

This spring we are running two new programs in the Middle East: one in Egypt focusing on urban studies and the other in Morocco focused on journalism and new media. We have also launched a new summer program that explores traditional approaches to healthcare in India. We continually strive to provide our students with the most interesting and relevant coursework and locations.

And the future of the industry - how do you think study abroad and international education will change over the next 10 years?

We’ll see the usual demographic shifts in mobility as a response to global politics, world events and markets. What will be interesting to watch is how governments and individual institutions address these shifts to meet demand and capitalize on market share. My hope is that more and more we will learn to become better citizens of the world and will travel abroad because we crave learning and connection with one another. Talking to people around the world is increasingly easier, but meaningful communication and understanding remains a challenge.

I'm continuously impressed with the depth and variety of programs offered by SIT Study Abroad. Their emphasis on field base learning is especially intriguing, as well as their commitment to cultivating relationships locally in host areas. I sincerely admire and hope to echo their attitude for turning every experience into a learning experience!

Over the last 10 years working in the field of international education, I’ve had the opportunity to travel to Cuba, Czech Republic, England, Greece and Serbia. There are many fascinating countries and continents with amazing things to teach us.

Professional Associations

NAFSA Logo