Program Reviews

My time in Chile with SIT was truly amazing. We stayed with host families, which gave me an unparalleled understanding of Chilean culture. The best part of the program was that we got to travel to the north and south of Chile, which gave me a more in-depth understanding of Chile than I would have gotten just staying in central Chile. The program team was absolutely incredible, and I felt really supported during the independent study period for the last month of the program. Valparaíso is a very hilly city, though, so be ready to walk up a lot of hills lol.

I can't express how much of a life-changing experience I had while studying abroad in Argentina on the SIT Argentina: Social Movements and Human Rights program. Read on for more detail, but overall highlights: the wonderfully supportive four core members of the SIT team in Buenos Aires (the "chicas"), the (included!) travel on 2 week-long learning excursions to Patagonia and northwestern/Andean Argentina, the opportunity to live in a sprawling and historic city like Buenos Aires, practicing Argentine Spanish every day in an immersive setting, and unbeatable opportunities and connections with important human rights organizations in the country.

I was really grateful for the administration within the country. From the very first day when all four of the primary program admins met us at the airport and brought us to our hotel, where we would all stay together for the next couple of days, I felt so supported. Even though we were across the world from my house, I felt at home with the “chicas” (the term they call each other and we adopted to refer to them collectively — the work they do goes way beyond their individual titles). Not only was the program layout very straightforward and planned-out, but they really made the effort to create a tight-knit community within our group. I felt very comfortable going to them with any problems or even feedback when things were not going well. The main vibe was that everything felt very taken-care-of, for the most part.

One of the more important components to SIT Argentina is the homestay aspect. This was something I was excited and nervous about going into the program, and one of my favorite parts of the experience once I left. It feels anxiety-inducing at first that they won't let you know your homestay assignment until after you get there; I still don't really get why this is. However, it seems like they want to get to know us in-person for the first few days of the program to make sure they made the right choice. For me, it was the perfect choice. I got to stay with a young queer family with a cat in a neighborhood which I grew to adore (go, Boedo!) I felt so seen by them and both integrated in their lives and able to do my own thing. We would eat dinner together every night and they were great cooks who made sure my vegetarianism was taken care of. Integrating myself into their family was really easy for me -- but if it hadn't been, I could always have reached out to Gri, the homestay and student affairs coordinator, who was always supportive and ready to lend an ear. This was so important for my cultural immersion and feeling like I had the support of a family while I was abroad (they even came with me to my doctor's appointments!)

To be honest, I felt really safe overall. Buenos Aires is just like any other major city. You want to watch what you're doing, know where you're going, and keep an eye on your surroundings. That's it! I will say, 3 people had their phones stolen from them while we were here, which is a common occurrence for foreigners. None of the encounters were violent; however, I *always* kept my phone in a small pocketbook when I was out and it never got stolen. People in the city are genuinely very kind and everyone exercises the same amount of caution as you. The one thing I will say is I didn't feel comfortable walking around alone after dark, but as a young woman that will be the same in any city.

Argentina is generally an inexpensive country for people traveling from the U.S. -- that is not the case for Argentinians themselves, so be careful how you speak about money there. But for instance, a tea and two medialunas (pastries) might cost you less than $1 USD. The program provides breakfast and dinner to you, and gives you a stipend for transportation to and from class and lunches during the week & weekend. Above this, I did find myself spending more money when we would travel places because I wanted souveniers. However, compared to U.S. prices, getting around was cheap and there were many weeks when I spent very little; check out Don Ignacio right by the main academic center for cheap and large portions that could easily be 2 lunches.

The academics are not the most challenging I've encountered, but because they are in Spanish and there is a lot of material to cover in a short time period (the final month of the program is all dedicated to your internship or independent research, so classes are only from late February to May 1st), it can be a lot of reading and writing (mostly reading). However, super interesting content and the grading is forgiving, with the focus being on trying your best and showing what you know. I also am very proud of the work I produced through this program, so don't think it's completely a free-for-all! The content is of course pretty heavy at times, as well, so prepare yourself! <3

This is an excellent program if you are passionate about public health topics and are looking to improve your Spanish. It is language intensive and can be intimidating at first, the academics are intense, especially if you are not confident with your Spanish skills, but the professors are patient and understanding and will accommodate your levels to help you learn and grow. We traveled almost every other weekend, and while it is a program that focuses on urban environments there are many opportunities to explore and visit lots of the beautiful natural sites across Argentina!!! I highly recommend taking trips to the amazing Patagonia, El Calafate and Bariloche! This is not a Europe-like clubbing and partying study abroad experience and can be challenging at times, but rewarding at large. Argentinians are extremely loving and warm people and this program will allow you to make connections and meet many interesting people. I am studying public health and looking to pursue a career in health care and have felt that this program helped me an incredible amount not only with improving my Spanish and understanding another country's public health system, but also with understanding the importance of how the social determinants of health shape not only the individual's, but community's experiences with health.

If you want a study abroad experience where you can spend the whole time traveling on your own, this will be too academically intensive for that. I loved all the excursions that the program took us on to visit different public health institutions. Additionally, I learned a lot from the individual study portion at the end when I did an internship. I loved my host family, them, and the administrators in the country made me feel like I had a home there. I would recommend this program to anyone looking for practical development in different ways to work in Public Health.

My time in Valparaiso was amazing and exactly what I needed. I felt so at peace and comfortable there. The program paired me with the perfect host family for me and they are a big part of why my experience was so amazing. I created a great relationship with my host family and had the funniest host brothers ever. The food was pretty good and things in Chile are a lot cheaper than the U.S. I will say I had an advantage in the language as a native Spanish speaker and did not really feel out of place.

I participated in this program between Feb - June 2024, right in the middle of political and economic instability that Argentina was facing under a new presidential administration. I really loved that our program, by virtue of focusing on social movements and human rights, was able to relate what we learned about in the classroom to what was going on right around us during our stay in Argentina. The program does a great job of bringing in guest speakers and planning trips both within and outside BA to help us engage with the topics we study in a hands-on manner. I loved being able to travel so often with the program and especially liked that the ISP period gave students the flexibility to travel independently.

In addition, the onsite staff are incredibly supportive and kind. It is very clear that they care about students and are always open to chat about anything. I chose this program because of the level of onsite support (which non SIT programs do not always guarantee) and I was very satisfied with my experience. Buenos Aires is a beautiful city and filled with so much to do/see. Although living in any foreign country has a bit of a learning curve, I did not find it a huge culture shock compared to the US, largely due to the support provided by the program and fellow students in your cohort.

This program was one of the most incredible experiences of my entire life. I learned so much, got to visit so many beautiful and unique places, and made lifelong friends! I think what sets this program apart is the incredible opportunities for field research, like studying amphibians in the tropical cloud forests of El Valle, as well as the cultural immersion opportunities, like spending a night in the Naso Comarca. You will get to visit some of the most beautiful habitats in the world and learn from instructors who are experts in their respective fields. Outside of the classroom, this program made me much more confident in social situations and taught me to go with the flow and take in each experience. You will undoubtedly emerge from this program a more well-rounded person and take the lessons you learned in Panama with you for the rest of your life! Don't miss out, seize the opportunity to visit this beautiful country and experience its many amazing cultures!

Studying abroad with this program was such an amazing experience. The program staff are kind and professional and made a huge effort for us to have the best possible experience. The other kids on my program were so much fun and we had a great time exploring Ushuaia. The academics were interesting and kept us busy. It's definitely more work and more classroom time than many other study abroad programs. The excursions were super fun and a great way to see more of Patagonia, and the chance to visit Antarctica was incredible and once-in-a-lifetime.

Studying abroad in Spain through the SIT program was truly a life-changing experience. I loved staying with a host family and having the opportunity to fully immerse myself in the culture. The warmth and hospitality of my host family made me feel at home, and I learned so much about Spanish customs and daily life. I also really enjoyed all the trips that were part of this experience, which allowed me to learn extensively outside of the classroom. Exploring historic cities, visiting museums, and engaging with local communities broadened my perspective and deepened my appreciation for Spain's rich history and diverse culture.

The program staff were incredible—always supportive, knowledgeable, and passionate about what they were teaching. The lectures were engaging and thought-provoking, and the class trips provided practical insights that complemented our academic studies. I truly enjoyed the learning process, both in and out of the classroom. I also love having the opportunity to travel independently and explore Europe!

Overall, this experience has had a profound impact on me, both personally and academically. It has inspired me to continue exploring new cultures and perspectives. I would 100% recommend the SIT program in Spain to anyone looking for an enriching and transformative study abroad experience.

I learned a lot about the local culture and life in Samoa. I also learned a lot about the environment, how it has changed, and how this impacts the community and culture. I think it was very worthwhile, especially as someone who is studying the relationship between people and the environment. I loved my experience in this program. I learned a lot and it was fantastically relevant to my educational goals. I would definitely do it again, but it did come with some challenges. This program is not easy when it comes to overcoming struggles and new experiences.