Program Reviews

Thank you, SIT India, for helping me learn and grow during my semester abroad! From the moment I arrived in Delhi, I felt supported and loved by the entire staff. They helped us navigate this new country seamlessly and introduced us to all of India's wonders. I enjoyed shopping for new kurtas and jewelry, learning Hindi, trekking in the Himalayas, tasting delicious meals, living with a wonderful host family, strolling on the beaches in Goa, visiting the Taj Mahal, volunteering at a rural health organization in Maharashtra, exploring Ellora Caves, and conducting independent research on a topic I’m passionate about. I will never forget my experience in India or the beautiful people I met and the amazing places I was fortunate enough to see.

I'm grateful to my professors for supporting my academic journey by providing excellent, constructive feedback at every step. I came to this program as a passionate gender studies and pre-nursing student, and I left even more excited than I was before! I loved all of our health center visits, as well as the unique shadowing and volunteering opportunities I had at an organization in rural Maharashtra during the final month of the program. This program is a great way to explore the field of healthcare and learn more about yourself.

This program was absolutely incredible! While studying in India is less common and there are many prejudices against the country, I’ve found it to be the most welcoming, safe, and impactful place that I’ve visited. The classes are engaging and are integrated into day- and week-long field excursions across India. The opportunity to live with a host family is a rare chance to truly experience the culture outside of the classroom setting. While the experience was daunting at first, I found myself becoming a part of their family and community. The Independent Study Project, which I completed at the end of the semester, was a great way to get hands-on experience with research and working in a clinical setting (as I partnered with a healthcare organization). This program challenges you in all the right ways, pushing you to learn about yourself, step outside your comfort zone, and truly become immersed in the Indian culture. You should absolutely apply!

I truly evolved and grew as a person during this semester abroad. The program staff were my favorite part of the program. I would do it 1000 times again. Don’t let anyone stop you from traveling the world! India is so diverse, expansive, and I truly felt so safe during my program year. You are well equipped, prepared and even have the opportunity to travel around India during your time there! On top of that, you get to delve into a research topic of your choice that you’re passionate about for the last month of the program. I made so many connections and friendships that I will cherish with all my heart. It was academically thought-provoking and I look at the world with bigger heart and more curious mind. Don’t second guess it, apply to this program with SIT in India!!! I will forever be jealous of anyone who gets to experience this program and the love of the program staff here!

I was originally so nervous to take on this experience. It was my first time living abroad and even my first time living in a city, since I come from rural Ohio. I wanted to join this program because the academic topics matched my interests perfectly. When I got here, I was scared as anything, but the SIT staff and faculty became the best support system I could ask for. They knew exactly what we might be feeling, and quickly became my second family. The academics are rigorous, but they don’t take up all of your time. Much of the coursework builds on itself, and it will prepare you so well for your ISP. In Delhi, you’ll spend most evenings with your homestay families, but during excursions you’ll have plenty of time to explore, hang out, and grow close with your fellow students. Most of my time was spent with the other students, since opportunities to make friends with locals were limited. This is an incredible program, but it’s also what you make of it, you’ll have to push your boundaries and step out of your comfort zone, but that when I learned the most about myself. This experience will stick with me for the rest of my life, and I honestly wish I could do it again. The program gives you the perfect balance of independence while still being a safety net whenever you need it. Also, you will never go hungry here. If I could give one last piece of convincing evidence to join this program, let the food be it!

Transformative experience! I learned so much about what people are capable of: potential, resilience, and creativity. I saw so much, travelled so much and suddenly writing my college essays just came so easily because we were living all of those experiences. We had excursions every other week and really got to see a lot. The ISP (Independent Study Project) was truly amazing as well: having the opportunity to conduct research on my own and to solo travel in Udaipur at my own pace and discover what I enjoy doing. And then everything's really cheap... Ended up bringing a whole extra suitcase back home.

My trip to Madagascar was unlike anything I had ever experienced. It was challenging, rewarding and fulfilling all at the same time. Unlike other study abroad programs, your time spent in Madagascar will be extremely immersive, and nothing like the usual European study abroad trip your university prepares you for. We travel to different parts of the country, such as rural and more urban/modernized areas so prepare yourself accordingly. There are large scheduled shifts and dietary changes, so ask for help and support in whatever areas you need. Despite all of the challenges I experienced on this trip, it is an enlightening one where you get to have direct contact with the locals to broaden your understanding of traditional medicine, colonial history and cultural legacies. Prepare yourself to learn Malagasy, experience an "African winter" and see Madagascar's rich biodiversity.

This program in Argentina contributed deeply to my academic and personal growth. Courses included the topics of Human Rights, Argentine History, Social Movements, Research Methods and Ethics, and the Spanish Language. Throughout each of these courses I gained immense knowledge about Argentina in the topics of Human Rights and Social Movements and improved my Spanish language skills. I learned so much about the fight for autonomy for indigenous peoples, the workers industry, the history of Argentina, along with current conservation efforts. I made amazing connections that I hope to carry with me throughout my life and met some of my best friends through this program. My independent study project also led me to connect with the history and the people on a deeper level. Through the support of my director's and advisor, I was able to connect with people who were experts in their field and are activists still working toward change. Overall I am so grateful for this program and all it offered me. I am forever changed by what I gained.

This program was so awesome! I learned so much about the environmental and social issues facing the region of Southern Patagonia while also getting great hands on experience. The landscapes and excursions are incredible, outdoor lovers this program is for you! I improved so much in my Spanish abilities and loved getting to experience the culture especially through the homestay experience. I feel so grateful to have gotten the opportunity to do this program, I highly encourage others to do it as well!

I truly feel as though words do not even do justice to how amazing my semester abroad was. I went during my sophomore spring of undergrad, and I am forever grateful for the amazing connections I made and the beautiful experiences where I learned so much. Even after my program ended, I still kept a relationship with my host mom and other peers from the program. And if it were possible, I would do the semester all over again! During my time, I felt as though everything I had learned would prove to be immensely useful for my future and have continued to refelct on my time abroad as I continue with my career.

I looked at a lot of study abroad programs for different countries and with different companies, but I am genuinely so glad I landed on this one. This program gave a fantastic overview of how the country's history influences it's current political and cultural climate. The staff were incredibly helpful and caring. They helped me navigate health issues that came up while I was abroad, and I never felt alone. The homestays and the location made it an amazing immersive experience. The first half of the program focuses on classroom instruction, excursions in CABA, and week long trips to the North and the South of the country to help you understand the history of Argentina. Then the second half is dedicated to either an internship with a group or an independent study on a social movement or topic relating to human rights. This made for a nice balance between classroom and hands-on learning. We each had the time and resources to explore a topic that we were interested in for about a month as well.