SIT Study Abroad Reviews

Going to TZ for a semester abroad with SIT was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I feel incredibly grateful for all the experiences I had and wonderful people I met--many of whom I stay in touch with today! The semester was an exciting mix of camping in national parks, observing incredible wildlife like elephants, lions, giraffes, and birds, and doing a homestay for 3 weeks. I really appreciated the cultural immersion, between the homestay and opportunities to interview community members for research/class. The SIT TZE staff is top-notch when it comes to support, kindness, and truly making you feel like family. This program has added depth to my life and I'm currently trying to return to the region because of how much I loved my experience.

This was an excellent program. Not only was it super fun, but it was very immersive and academically rigorous. The program staff did a wonderful job making sure we felt comfortable in Tanzania while making sure we were pushing ourselves to produce a really high level research project. The excursions were so amazing, and this is definitely a program where the students grow a lot throughout the semester. The class size was small, which meant we each had a lot of support from staff, and a tight-knit community of students. I could not recommend more.

I completed the Wildlife Conservation Programme in Tanzania in 2021 and it was honestly an amazing experience that I still remember to this day. Everyone was so kind and helpful, and I learned so much about wildlife and conservation during the programme. The classes in nature were amazing and it was great to be able to learn about wildlife while actually being surrounded by it. The weather was great, the people were lovely, and there was always something new to learn and experience. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I’m really glad I had the opportunity to take part. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves wildlife, nature and travelling.

This program absolutely changed my worldview! Not a day goes by that I don’t think about the immersive experiences and connections that I have as a result of this program. The staff are unbelievably inviting, talented, and caring. They are highly knowledgeable and invested in the learning, development, and wellbeing of students. If you are looking for a unique opportunity to expand your world while gain valuable research experience, this is the program for you. You will not want to leave, trust me.

My semester abroad in Tanzania was life changing! A truly once in a lifetime experience that I truly recommend. The SIT program staff are the kindest most welcoming people you can imagine. Additionally, from game drives in national parks to home stays the cultural immersion and wildlife I was able to learn about and experience was amazing! The independent research project was also a great experience and offers the ability to research something you are truly interested in. I learned so much and had a wonderful time exploring Tanzania!

Truly a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity to study abroad in both Southern Patagonia and Antarctica. When else will you be able to travel to Antarctica through the lens of being an exchange student and learn so much about the local environment? You truly are integrated into the Spanish-speaking community in Ushuaia with both your host families and your program cohort, and your Spanish-speaking ability increases tenfold. The program director, Maria, is very supportive and wants all of her students to succeed, and will support you through any hardships you may face. The only slight downside was pre-program departure- the steps were a bit unclear regarding the need for a Visa, and getting on my flight, I had to purchase another flight outside of the program, leaving Argentina in 90 days (just to prove that I wouldn't overstay the tourist period, not that I would actually be taking this flight to leave the country), which the program said should not be necessary but then I still had to do. I then had trouble getting the ticket refunded, but SIT ended up covering the cost of this extra flight for the headache of it all. This was also all in Spring 2024, so they may have updated protocols since then to make arrival easier! Also, homestay families are not all created equal- some are definitely more accommodating than others- but Maria and the program staff are all there to help you through any obstacles, and if there is a problem, they are more than willing to step in to resolve it. Overall, even despite the minor hiccups, they were nothing in comparison to how amazing an experience the program was. I will never forget all that I've learned, from the countless field trips in Tierra del Fuego across Argentina and Chile, to the hikes with friends and community members, to connecting with locals, to the expedition to Antarctica; I am so lucky to have been in the program. The nature and hiking around Ushuaia are unmatched, the community is very welcoming, and the educational resources/research in the area are exceptional.

This is a ridiculously fantastic opportunity. You get the chance to live with a super cool host family in a vibrant and beautiful port town (the southernmost city in the world!). You'll get the chance to:
Hike some of the best trails on the continent
Land on Antarctica
Eat authentic Argentinean asado
Improve your Spanish
Learn about the local environment with driven and outdoors-inclined students
Some of my favorite memories in the city—camping in the mountains, having cookouts with the group, gigging in local bars, watching the sun set either way too late or way too early, etc.

One thing that made my study abroad experience so special was the community we built once we arrived in Argentina. Unlike the larger classes I was used to at my home university, our program had a small classroom environment, and many of our professors were local professionals from Argentina. Learning from people who actually lived and worked within the healthcare system we were studying made everything feel much more personal and meaningful. Because our classes were small, we had the opportunity to ask questions, have real conversations, and receive one-on-one support from our professors. Over time, they became more than just professors. They were people we trusted, learned from, and formed genuine relationships with.

That same sense of community extended beyond the classroom. Living with a host mom was one of the most meaningful parts of my experience. Our host moms opened their homes to us, introduced us to Argentine culture, and took care of us throughout the semester. Whether it was checking in after a long day, sharing meals, giving advice, or simply encouraging us when the semester became overwhelming, they helped keep us motivated. Being so far away from my own family was difficult at times, but having someone there who genuinely cared about how I was doing made Argentina begin to feel like another home.

I also became incredibly close with the other students in my program. We were all navigating a new country together, traveling, learning, struggling, laughing, and experiencing so many "firsts" at the same time. By the end of the program, I realized that studying abroad had given me a community that I never expected to find when I first got on the plane.

What I was not prepared for was how emotional returning home would be. Everyone talks about adjusting to life abroad, but not enough people talk about having to adjust to life at home again. For four months, I had created a completely different routine and version of my life. Argentina had become normal to me. Then suddenly, I was back home and expected to return to the life I had before I left.

For me, that reverse culture shock was one of the hardest parts of the entire experience. I was happy to see my family and friends again, but I also deeply missed the people, routines, independence, and community I had built abroad. It felt strange realizing that life at home had continued while I was away, while at the same time I had changed so much.

That emotional transition showed me just how meaningful my experience had been. I did not simply visit Argentina for a semester, I built a life there. Studying abroad taught me that coming home does not mean leaving the experience behind. You bring the people you met, the lessons you learned, and the version of yourself you discovered back with you. I want to encourage future students to know that both going abroad and coming home are transitions, and it is completely normal to need time to adjust to both.

A truly amazing program. I learned so much more than I could ever get from a classroom. I made amazing lifelong friendships with students from all across the country. I got to experience life like a local through my homestay, which made me feel more confident walking around the city and using my Spanish. Within the classes we got to travel throughout the beautiful country of Argentina and learn from Indigenous communities, activist groups, professors, lawyers, etc. I would highly recommend this program.

Studying abroad in Buenos Aires was one of the best decisions I've made. I learned so much through my classes, internship, and day to day life in the city. Being able to see public health from a different perspective helped me grow both academically and personally. The program staff were incredibly supportive, my host family made me feel at home, and I made great friends along the way. Of course there were adjustments, like getting used to the late dinners and navigating a new city, but those experiences became part of what made the semester so memorable. I came home more confident, more independent, and even more excited about pursuing a career in public health. I would definitely choose this program again and recommend it to anyone looking for a meaningful study abroad experience.