Program Reviews

My experience with SIT is invaluable to me! The semester was full of interesting studies, diverse excursions, and unforgettable memories. I interned with an organization that provided social services to refugees in Downtown Durban and met some of my dearest friends from living in our homestays. Overall, I would describe the semester in three words - Challenging, Encouraging, and Exciting.

I studied linguistics and French in college and was determined to graduate with a high level of French. I planned on spending a year in Paris, but after one semester attending classes at a disorganized public French university (and paying American tuition!), I decided to go back to the States and switch study abroad programs. Determined to do study abroad right, I researched the remaining French language options that Tulane offered, and decided to trade in the glamour of Paris for the complete unknown in Senegal...

Study abroad, part deux, at SIT in Dakar was the best decision I made in college. Everything was incredible - the calibur of classes and teachers, the weekly seminars, the homestay families, the excursions to different areas of the country, the Independent Study Project (ISP), the resources. Each week we learned about a new aspect of Senegalese culture, from microfinance to poetry to playing the djembé. Our French and Wolof teachers were top notch, and our group small enough that classes were intimate and tailored to our varying levels. Living with host families was the best way to get to know locals, take part in daily life and traditions, and play with lots of cute kids in Wolof.

On top of an excellent academic program, I felt that we were all pushed and challenged during the semester. While there was definite hand-holding and our bus across the country had AC, we were expected to spend a month on our own for the ISP, so do research or some large-scale project that we planned out from start to finish as well as live on our own and generally do our own thing.

When you decide to spend a semester in an academically-focused program in West Africa (as opposed to a more experience- focused program in Western Europe), the kind of students you'll be surrounded by are going to be of a different calibre. Everyone had a different reason for choosing the program - some for the French, some for the arts focus, and some for a fascination with Africa - and the study body was open-minded and excited to soak up as much as possible.

I honestly have nothing but wonderful things to say about the program. The SIT staff were brilliant and accommodating, the academics interesting and engaging, Dakar an incredibly vibrant city, the Senegalese extremely friendly and welcoming, and the trips around the country purposeful and eye-opening. You'll do a lot of work on this semester, but trust me, it's much more rewarding than a semester of bogus homework and endless cheap bottles of red wine in Paris surrounded by other American students. And to be honest, you can definitely find some good parties in Dakar if you know where to look :-) This program really offers you the experience of a lifetime.

SIT South Africa Community Health program is an incredible and unique way to experience a new country without just being a "tourist". Throughout my semester, SIT challenged me to understand the issues facing SA from a structural viewpoint, instead of as an outsider. I wish I could go back!

I had an amazing experience with SIT. The program did an amazing job assimilating us into the culture, making us feel safe, and providing us with a wide variety of educational opportunities. The 6 week home stay allowed me to connect with a Zulu family and they made me feel like part of the community. The independent study period allowed me to intern with an environmental NGO where I gained valuable skills. I also made lifelong friends along the way!

One thing that I loved about this program was that the theme of the program, and what we were learning during lectures in class, was so engrained and related to the area in which we were, Cape Town. The places we visited, the people we met, and the experiences we had all informed my studies in ways that I had not experienced while at college. What we were learning felt very real, and although I had never been to the country before, I felt very invested in it once I left.

My favorite aspect of the program were the homestays. Although it had been the part of the program that I was most nervous about before arriving, I now feel as though I have family in South Africa. I am still in touch with some of my host moms. My host families treated me as one of their own children. Some of the most interesting conversations I had were with host siblings and parents, learning about life in South Africa and their experiences during and after apartheid.

Another aspect of the program that is especially unique is the ISP period, where you develop an Independent Research Project. This gave me the opportunity to do my own research and conduct interviews. With a month to design and complete my project, I felt as though I really had the opportunity to dig into books and other resources, and speak to people about my topic. As I result I gained a lot of new knowledge and was able to present a product that I was really proud of.

Having been in Tunisia when the first terrorist attack happened, in March 2015, I can truthfully say that security IS a risk factor, but not nearly as important as it seems from outside the country. For the kindness of the people, the richness of the landscape, and the variety in culture, I found it worth the need to be aware of my security in public places. It's a decision for everyone to make alone, but I would go back to Tunisia (unless a third terrorist attack happened, in which I'd be seriously concerned).

I found it worth the security risks (which weren't serious enough to merit US Embassy officials being forced to return to America for safety concerns), in exchange for experiencing a country undergoing a democratic transition, with emerging religious extremists, the revolution's impact on youth populations (which are critical to political stability!), and for living in the 'modern' country of the Arab world.

So overall, totally worth what the naysayers use as evidence to not go! So go!!

A truly fulfilling study abroad experience in an amazing country. Challenging and immersive. Do yourself a favor and choose SIT Ecuador!!

Host Country Program Administration:

The staff on hand take care of all the logistics, leaving you to soak up as much of the country and language as you can.

Housing:

Living arrangements were exactly what I wanted: caring host families who want to include you in everything they do. Seriously, everything. Be prepared to go grocery shopping, go to family weddings, leave in a car without knowing where you are going, etc. That's just how it is in Ecuador. They want to make you a part of the family. It can be exhausting at times, but totally worth it in your language gains and cultural immersion.

Food:

Ceviche, maduros, sopas ricas. Everything is fresh. You will try so many incredible fruits and vegetables that you have never had before. If you are vegetarian you will be accommodated.

Social & Cultural Integration:

I felt very integrated into the local culture. Being a foreigner, you will always stand out, but that doesn't mean you can't become part of a community. People in Ecuador are very willing to include you in their plans, especially your host families. Your host family will be your best route to making lots of Ecuadorian friends. If you are worried that you won't be immersed because you won't be in an Ecuadorian university, don't be. I had the same worry going into the program, but I was so glad to have some time each day with the other SIT students. You will spend almost all of your free time with your host family or other Ecuadorian friends anyways.

Health Care:

I did not have any health issues besides some minor "indigestion" (almost unavoidable). Other students on the program received great medical attention for other issues.

Safety:

Let's be real, living in Ecuador is like living in any other developing country: it's not always safe, but you can always stay safe by taking precautions. Travel in groups, don't go out alone after dark, etc. Taxis are perfectly safe as long as you know what to look for. Your program staff does a tremendous job advising you on how to do this. We had one student robbed, but this student simply got too comfortable and made the mistake of going out alone after dark. Follow the advice of the program leaders and you will be just fine!

Finances:

I did not spend very much money at all in Ecuador. Your program costs cover all meals and transportation, even those costs incurred on program excursions. Other things that you will want to spend money on (clothes, crafts, going out, nestle galaks) don't cost much by western standards.

Language:

Your classes are in Spanish, even though they are taken with the other SIT students. You are placed in individual homestays, so you have no choice but to use Spanish there. On excursions with the other SIT students, you can talk in English but are of course encouraged to always use Spanish!

SIT Ecuador is an incredible experience. The program staff, especially the academic director, Fabian, is so helpful. You will learn so much about the world and about yourself.

The Health and Community Development program (now renamed "Refugees, Health, and Humanitarian Action") at SIT offered everything I was looking for in a study abroad experience: a coursework focused on public health issues, a hands-on learning approach, complete cultural immersion, lifelong friendships, and the opportunity to learn a new language in its native environment. I was able to meet with and learn from some of the best professors and health professionals in Jordan, and see the realities of the Syrian and Palestinian refugee camps throughout the country. The ISP (Independent Student Project) was the most rewarding experience of the program in that it built my confidence in research and developed my analytical and communication skills. Because of my time abroad with SIT, I am ready to take on more international study and work opportunities in the near future. Thank you, SIT JOH, for the great program and memories I will never forget!

The place I was staying in was extremely small, and privacy was almost non-existent. There was one bathroom in the house, with a Turkish-style toilet. Basically, it was a small hole in the ground. These differences from my comfortable home in America were very surprising and overwhelming for me at first.
After a couple of weeks I was getting used to the unfamiliar lifestyle I was in thanks to the help of my host-family. My brother and I shared lots of laughter while he taught me the best techniques to use the new toilet. He would prepare me a meal or snack every night, and he even taught me how to cook some traditional Moroccan dishes. We would listen to rap music everyday, our favorite genre of music, and alternate between Moroccan and American rappers. Our love for music brought us together and I could always count on him to cheer me up.

India is full of contrasts, chaos and unbelievable beauty. I never learned more in four months than I did through this experience. It challenged me and tested my patience, but I learned a lot about a lot and I would go back and do it all over in a heartbeat. You have to be willing to let go of some creature comforts (going for a run outdoors, punctuality, privacy...), but if you surrender even a little bit, you'll never want to leave.

SIT has an extensive on-site network providing access to speakers, organizations, hospitals and communities you'd never be able to access on your own. The staff are incredibly dedicated and there for your every need. They all feel like family to me now. The opportunity to do independent research was also a major highlight.