SIT Study Abroad

SIT's Social and Political Transformation program in Durban was a truly unique experience that checked off all the boxes for studying abroad. Durban is a very diverse city with a significant Zulu, Indian, Mixed-Race, and Afrikaner population, and as such has an abundance of culture to offer. The program is truly invested in creating a field-based experience, and much of our classroom time was spent on field trips to different organizations, museums, and historical sites in Durban. In addition, we went on various excursions to places such as Mozambique, Johannesburg, Cape Town, rural KwaZulu-Natal, the Drakensberg Mountains, and the Eastern Cape province. These excursions included a variety of activities, including hikes, safaris, prison visits, and bartering at local markets. Classes were very engaging and consisted of lectures from our professors as well as guest speakers, and assignments were both straightforward and meaningful. The final 4 weeks of the semester consisted of an independent study, which could be conducted in the form of an internship or our own project. The independent study allowed us to deeply explore a social issue of our choosing, and allowed us to gain professional experience. My independent study consisted of an internship with a local radio station, where I served as an on-air news host and explored the state of the press in South Africa. My internship experience was truly invaluable and is a fantastic addition to my resume.

This study abroad program is truly life changing an extremely unique experience. It incorporates the perfect balance between academics and free time. The homestay factor enriches the experience beyond measure, allowing students to really gain an understanding of Jordanian culture and practice Arabic. The food is amazing and there are plenty of American, Filipino, Italian and other restaurants in Amman if you need a break from local food. Jordanians are extremely welcoming to foreigners. The administration and staff are amazing; by the end of the program they all felt like old friends of mine. I definitely want to go back to Jordan after my study abroad experience!

The SIT Jordan was very formative for me. I have never travelled abroad apart from the time I moved to the United States in 2011. The SIT staff are very welcoming and hospitable, and I appreciate the academic rigor especially with Arabic language learning and the opportunity for students to do independent research or internship! From January to May, we got to go all over Jordan from the north to the south as well as have a one-week excursion in Istanbul, Turkiye. Our group became tight-knit. And each of us stayed with a host family who I keep in touch with after the program. I appreciate all of these opportunities in SIT Jordan that made for a transformative education experience!

I absolutely loved my time in Jordan! All of the staff were so friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable - I felt very comfortable reaching out to them for anything. The other students on my program were equally lovely and we all got so close by the end. Amman is amazing if you like exploring new cities, trying new foods, and meeting new people outside your program. I learned so much about Jordan, the program theme, and myself (both inside and outside the classroom). I highly recommend SIT Jordan if you're interested in study abroad!

My semester with SIT was truly amazing and so memorable! I am so glad I chose a small program that focuses on building a strong community between students and encourages cultural engagement. The classes I took were so interesting, especially Czech theater and literature, where our lecturers both had personal ties to the subject matter. We spent a lot of time looking at the arts under communism in the Czech Republic. The school is located in a wonderful part of Prague (Letna) with lots of great coffee shops and a cool art scene. Letna park is right across the street and has a great beer garden with views of the whole city! Going to class each week felt more like an adventure than school, since we got to visit museums and galleries so frequently. Everyone working for the program is so welcoming and I felt supported from the moment I arrived in Prague (our advisor even called us at the airport to check in)! One of the best parts of the program is definitely living with a host family - it is so special. I spent the weekends joining my host family on long walks, visits to local pubs, and watching local theater performances. My host mom even taught me how to bake Czech desserts! I highly recommend this program if you're looking for a semester that is art centric, culturally meaningful, and a fun time all around!