Program Reviews

Studying abroad in Argentina with SIT was one of the best choices I've ever made! If you're someone looking for a study abroad experience take a couple classes for fun, have constant free time to country-hop, and only spend time with American friends - then this might not be for you. My experience with SIT was truly so different from the traditional study abroad model, but so right for me. Through intensive culture, language, and history seminars you will be pushed to explore subjects in a profound way with the help of local activists, scholars, and professors. You will be challenged to step out of your comfort zone and engage with social movements and human rights in a totally new way. But through all of this you are not alone. You have your small cohort of students from the U.S. for support and the incredible coordinators team who only want the best for you. It's a busy period of time, but my advice is just to enjoy the ride. You will grow in ways you never expected and will leave feeling so accomplished and proud of what you were able to achieve in your time there. The homestay experience really allowed for me to have a home-base in the busy city where I felt supported and heard. It's a massive city, and there's so much to see and do. I was never bored. Getting to engage in an independent research project or internship at the end of the program felt like such a capstone to our time there and I know I gained so many vital skills at my internship particularly in developing a greater cultural competency for work in an international setting. All of this is also done completely in Spanish, so I can say confidently that anyone's language skills will improve so quickly in that immersive environment. There are also two incredible trips included in the program experience which were absolute highlights for me! I don't have enough words to truly encapsulate how thankful I am for my time in BA. If you are wanting an adventure that's going to push you out of your comfort skill, introduce you to new things, challenge you academically, and give you a new insight on the world - look no further!

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!

This experience was so special, I still think about it every day. People considering this program should be passionate about climate change, ecology, and geology, but you don't have to be majoring in any of those things. Just be ready to learn and take initiative in your research projects! I developed some amazing friendships with my group members, and the program mentors, Lisbet and Dan, are some of the most incredible educators and mentors I have ever had. In this program you will bring together many disciplines, but most of your time is spent exploring the *mindblowing* nature of Iceland. If you love hiking, swimming in the freezing ocean, and seeing beautiful views then you will love this program!

I was quite nervous with COVID-19 going on and everything going on, to the point were I deferred this program by a semester. I am so happy I had the opportunity to pursue this program. I feel that If I had done the typical study abroad, I would have not gained as much as I did. I was able to learn so much Arabic, because I was integrated into the program. I lived with a Jordanian family that but the end I considered my own. I was able to travel extensively through the region and better understand the people and issues in the region. I had struggle with Arabic and the support I had when I voiced those struggles was remarkable. I was given tutoring sessions to help me catch up. The staff truly become your family with how much they care about you. While education was important, the program made it integral that enjoying and our trips were also apart of our education. I'd go back in a second if I could.

Studying abroad in Jordan was an amazing experience that I will never forget. I learned so much about Middle Eastern culture and make lifelong friends. Living with a host family provided an immersive experience. Program staff were incredible and willing to help in any situation. One of my favorite parts of this program was the excursions to beautiful places throughout the country. I highly recommend this program to students interested in learning about international relations and becoming immersed in Jordanian culture.

My time in Jordan was unforgettable, and will probably be one of the best experiences of my entire life. I lived with an amazing homestay family, made life-lasting friendships, and went on so many amazing excursions. This is the best way to learn about international relations and Middle Eastern culture as a college student. Being completely immersed in every aspect of another culture in every single part of your life will change the way you view yourself, the world, and your own culture. My internship experience gave great insight into my future career plans. I cannot recommend SIT Jordan enough.