SIT Study Abroad

I had a unique experience abroad in Chile as it was my first time ever leaving the United States. Being in such a new environment with people I didn't know was definitely scary, but ended up being an amazing experience. I had to learn how to be adaptable in a new home, with new friends, and in a completely different country. With these challenges, I also felt supported and comfortable due to the SIT staff and the new friends I made. Learning to rely on a different language was difficult, but learning from mistakes and using any opportunity to communicate in Spanish was extremely helpful. At times the academic aspect of the program felt a little unorganized, but seeing things firsthand made up for any missing pieces during lecture.

I learned about myself and gained so much maturity, confidence, and patience. I felt like a part of the local culture with friends in my community. I gained new inspiration and perspective about social movements and human rights, especially in Latin America and the Global South, which you can't get at a US university. The experiential and interactive nature of the courses and research was inspiring and empowering. I left feeling empowered and knowing that I am capable of thriving in an unfamiliar environment.

In every aspect and level of the program I learned something. From the most basic demonstration to doing things for the first time myself, there was always support and encouragement. The excursions built off the classes in a purposeful way to create a complexly intertwined learning experience. I got to go so many places and was met with welcoming and great food at each place. The faculty was extremely kind and made me and the other students feel like family and having a smaller group of students was a great benefit for making friends.

The speed of the program is purposefully planned so that you can feel integrated right away and have all your questions answered when you first get there. We spent a week in a hotel away from the big city getting the first few steps in relationship building, planning for the semester, and taught about the health concerns, what to do in emergencies, and more. Moving into our first homestay seemed hard, but it was those things (the feel-like-home things) that got a lot easier during the program, as the academics and time spent away from school got harder. I enjoyed both my homestays and felt extremely welcomed by each Ecuadorian I met. The excursions were flawless and some of my favorite learning experiences. I chose to do my ISP away from everyone else which was very hard after making such great friends with everyone. I knew I could always turn to Faba, Sofia, or any of the SIT mental health resources at any moment.

Fabian and Sofia, the program directors, taught us along the way and were there to make sure we had everything we needed. They helped in every transition, from the introduction week to the first and second homestays, and each of the excursions. I felt as prepared as I needed to be for each experience. I loved my time there and am so grateful for everyone who made it perfect.

The SIT Development, Politics, and Languages Program in Ecuador was a fabulous experience. Between the interesting classroom discussions, super fun excursions, and amazing people I met, I had an incredible semester.
The academic director, Fabian Espinosa balances fun, laid-back chats with deeply interesting talks by him and other guest lecturers. Sofia, the program coordinator, was like a second mother and made sure we were always safe, comfortable, and happy. My host families (I had two during my semester) were incredibly welcoming and made me feel like a part of their family.
In terms of academics, I learned so much both in the classroom and out in the country. The experiential learning approach was an amazing way to learn about issues from multiple disciplines and beyond a traditional classroom setting. We learned about traditional medicine and community resistance strategies on our excursion to the Amazon, we studied biodiversity and environmental protection on our trip to the Galapagos (plus we got to snorkel), and we heard from amazing activists and political figures with a wealth of knowledge in our daily classes.
During the ISP period, I lived in an apartment in Cuenca with one of my friends from the program, and we both worked at organizations in the area, while simultaneously doing research for our respective projects. This independence was such an important opportunity to explore the country on my own and build deeper connections with local communities and with the other SIT students.
At the end of the 3.5 months, it was hard to say goodbye. To say that the experiences I had in Ecuador changed me would be an understatement. I felt transformed, not only by all of the things I had learned and the people I had met, but by the personal growth that had occurred as a result of all of these things.
If you want to improve your Spanish and spend several months in a beautiful and welcoming country, I highly recommend this program. I learned so much and I am so grateful to my host family, Faba and Sofia, and my wonderful friends from the program for making it an unforgettable trip.

SIT's Iceland study abroad program is amazing. From experiencing the city in Reykjavik, to traveling the country, to staying in Isafjordur with host families, it is truly life changing. Being extremely interested in Climate Change, this program fostered everything I love about the subject. My favorite part was the Independent Study Project, where I research how Iceland teaches the next generation about climate change. You also get to choose where you live for your last month to conduct your research which is the best part. I chose to stay in Isafjordur, where we are located with host families, because so many of us fell in love with the town.