Program Reviews

I appreciated the independent study aspect of the program, as I was able to explore my academic interests and speak with impressive professionals in public health! The classes brought in many impressive speakers, and the program allowed us to explore different NGOs in Geneva and Rabat. Switzerland was very expensive, but the program includes a travel pass that allowed us to explore the beautiful nature of the country. I also loved the French classes and homestay component, as they allowed me to improve my language skills immensely.

From the classes to experiential learning, from the homestay to the trip to Morocco, my time with SIT Netherlands was truly incredible. I learned and grew immensely throughout the semester. The classes expanded my knowledge on queer theory and contemporary migration politics. My internship set me up for future success in the world of sexual and reproductive health and rights. I made many connections through my internship and through fascinating speakers brought in to talk to our cohort. My peers were intelligent and passionate people. My homestay was so comfortable and supportive. Not to mention, Amsterdam is a beautiful and lively city. I could not recommend this program enough.

This experience was nothing short of life-changing. The nature of a program like this is to learn as much about yourself as you do the environment & climate change. Why is this? The nature of a program like this attracts independent, curious, and ambitious students who don't want a typical abroad experience. It brings them to one of the most sparsely populated and barren countries on Earth. If an experience like this sounds up your alley, it will change your life. I was heading into this abroad semester hoping to get some direction on where I wanted to focus my broad education in environmental studies, and being exposed to so many disciplines and professionals across niches really gave me a clearer sense of where to go. The students I studied with were wonderful, all independent like me, which was nice because we were all there for our own personal reasons, but we enjoyed each other's company and had so much fun together. On the homestays: If you are hesitant about the idea of living with a host family, I challenge you to embrace it with open arms. The Icelandic culture is so warm and humorous, and my host family filled me with so much laughter (and candy). The program director and assistant director were some of the warmest and most thoughtful educators, and I really can't say enough pleasant things about them. Overall, I learned so much during my semester abroad in Iceland and would recommend this program to anyone who is not afraid to spend some time alone with their thoughts, excited to seek out knowledge (this program requires you to be high agency to extract the most value), and ready to immerse themselves in a new and different culture. Overall 10/10.

This program is outstanding. You are taken care of in every way. The people were like minded and supportive. The independent study opportunity was meaningful and lovely. It is a great balance of fun and learning, with so much set up for you to succeed. There are three excursions imbedded into the program: the Azores, the south of Portugal and Spain, and the north of Portugal. They were definitely the highlight. Everything we did insured that it was the trip of a lifetime for each of us. It was a close knit group and we had so many chances to bond. I loved it!

As with most things in life, you will get out of this program what you put into it. This rule of thumb applies on every level (social, academic, etc.), though it is important to view this truth as encouragement rather than pressure. In a country as beautiful and welcoming as Tunisia, the only mistake you can make is beating up on yourself. SIT and the community you will be living in provide ample opportunities to become deeply acquainted with Tunisian society in any facet you choose.

For instance, I excel at building community through sports. In the second week after arriving, my cohort and I went to spend the day at the beautiful beach in La Marsa, where, on a warm day (almost every day), you can find locals playing beach volleyball. By the third hour of playing, an organized club of expats had invited me to join them on their court. I met Mahdi, who invited me to play with him and a group of English-speaking Tunisians on weekend nights at an indoor facility. The first night that I joined them, I met my closest friend, Mehdi, who introduced me to his friends and so on. By simply opening myself to opportunities, I built a community that I maintain even today.

Academically, the program is largely based on experiential learning. Once again, the rigor of the courses will be determined by your willingness to challenge yourself. If you enjoy smooth sailing in class and hitting the café for some shisha in the afternoon, there is ample opportunity for that lifestyle. Conversely, if you aim to advance your French or Arabic by multiple levels, write detailed papers on a regional or national topic of your choice, and build an extensive list of contacts in your field of interest, these goals can all be achieved. There is endless potential for both fun and intellectual stimulation, and the staff is dedicated to making your hopes and dreams a reality.

In my opinion, the homestay is the most impactful component of the program. I was fortunate enough to be hosted by two wonderful host-parents, Leila and Riyad, who loved me like one of their own. Although it is important to explore your periphery, the true Tunisian experience takes place in the home. Through the delicious cuisine, family gatherings, and casual day-to-day activities, you will take part in cultural and linguistic immersion like no other.

Finally, to the point of experiential learning, you will have the opportunity to participate in several excursions. I had been anticipating the Southern excursion since the day I applied to the program. To drive past hundreds of miles of olive groves and arrive at the famous city of Kairouan was like something out of a novel. The vast rooms of Kairouan’s Grand Mosque and the cliff-side village sitting above the oasis near Matmata are unforgettable scenes.

There is something uniquely powerful and inspiring emanating from la terre de la Tunisie, to which I would recommend every student with an adventurous spirit to go and investigate.

This program gave me all I could ever want in an abroad experience; my host family was so loving and welcoming, and my academic experience was unparalleled. We visited hospitals all around the country, and spoke with many types of professionals in the healthcare field. My favorite part of this program was the traveling. We took multiple week-long trips as a group, each with a different academic focus, and we also had the opportunity for solo travel. I made it to six Argentine provinces, as well as Chile and Uruguay! Our program leaders were intelligent, organized, and kind, and they worked so hard to make this an unforgettable experience.

SIT's Comparative Ecology program was a life changing experience that I will never forget! Due to the nature of the program, including living with host families and going on trips to different ecosystems so frequently, every second was an opportunity to learn, grow, and laugh. Each of our excursion destinations holds a very special place in my heart. From the biodiversity of hummingbirds in the Paramo to swimming with sea lions in the Galapagos, each day in Ecuador inspired me more.

In addition to the time spent experiencing new cultures and biomes with a great group of new friends and our professors, I had the opportunity to complete an individual research project. With this I had the chance to live and work in the Amazon Rainforest, completing research that has implications on my current position post-grad and being lucky enough to experience life with a Quichuan family.

If you're considering this program, my advice would to be to get lots of rest before you go and prepare to trust in the process of things, but to definitely do it! I love and adore this program and everything it taught me, and hope you do too!

Panama was a truly incredible place, rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. If I could do this program again, I would absolutely do it in a heartbeat. The friends I made, the wonderful host families I stayed with, and the SIT staff truly made this experience what it was.

My Spanish improved significantly, especially since many of the places we traveled to were far from major cities, which encouraged constant immersion. I also have a severe dairy allergy, and I had no trouble communicating this with the SIT staff coordinator or with any of the host families I stayed with, which made me feel very supported and safe throughout the program.

During the program, we traveled all over Panama and experienced an incredible amount of the country’s diversity, all while balancing coursework and even having time for some independent travel. The professors were all incredibly kind and passionate about their work, which made learning both engaging and inspiring.

Overall, this program exceeded my expectations and was an experience I will always be grateful for.

My favorite part of my experience was living with my host family and meeting with community organizations and indigenous communities around the country. I feel like I not only learned about Argentina but was immersed in it. I did not know I would have so much support from our program leaders, and I am so grateful for everything they planned and did for us. The Spanish immersion is a big part of why I chose to go to Argentina, and I was not disappointed. My vocabulary, confidence in speaking, and ability to understand others in the language improved drastically, largely because of my interactions with my host family.

I had an incredible experience studying abroad in India through this program. I felt supported from the very start when program staff picked us up from the airport and took us to our hotel. The professors are more like family, and they will help you with everything (money exchange, transportation, trip planning, etc.)! The classes were specialized and engaging with lots of visits to organizations, hospitals, and monuments. For the final project or internship, the staff will help you go to almost anywhere in India and connect you with an organization. This is a great program for pre-med and gender studies students!