SIT Study Abroad: Argentina: Public Health in Urban Environments

One thing that made my study abroad experience so special was the community we built once we arrived in Argentina. Unlike the larger classes I was used to at my home university, our program had a small classroom environment, and many of our professors were local professionals from Argentina. Learning from people who actually lived and worked within the healthcare system we were studying made everything feel much more personal and meaningful. Because our classes were small, we had the opportunity to ask questions, have real conversations, and receive one-on-one support from our professors. Over time, they became more than just professors. They were people we trusted, learned from, and formed genuine relationships with.

That same sense of community extended beyond the classroom. Living with a host mom was one of the most meaningful parts of my experience. Our host moms opened their homes to us, introduced us to Argentine culture, and took care of us throughout the semester. Whether it was checking in after a long day, sharing meals, giving advice, or simply encouraging us when the semester became overwhelming, they helped keep us motivated. Being so far away from my own family was difficult at times, but having someone there who genuinely cared about how I was doing made Argentina begin to feel like another home.

I also became incredibly close with the other students in my program. We were all navigating a new country together, traveling, learning, struggling, laughing, and experiencing so many "firsts" at the same time. By the end of the program, I realized that studying abroad had given me a community that I never expected to find when I first got on the plane.

What I was not prepared for was how emotional returning home would be. Everyone talks about adjusting to life abroad, but not enough people talk about having to adjust to life at home again. For four months, I had created a completely different routine and version of my life. Argentina had become normal to me. Then suddenly, I was back home and expected to return to the life I had before I left.

For me, that reverse culture shock was one of the hardest parts of the entire experience. I was happy to see my family and friends again, but I also deeply missed the people, routines, independence, and community I had built abroad. It felt strange realizing that life at home had continued while I was away, while at the same time I had changed so much.

That emotional transition showed me just how meaningful my experience had been. I did not simply visit Argentina for a semester, I built a life there. Studying abroad taught me that coming home does not mean leaving the experience behind. You bring the people you met, the lessons you learned, and the version of yourself you discovered back with you. I want to encourage future students to know that both going abroad and coming home are transitions, and it is completely normal to need time to adjust to both.

Studying abroad in Buenos Aires was one of the best decisions I've made. I learned so much through my classes, internship, and day to day life in the city. Being able to see public health from a different perspective helped me grow both academically and personally. The program staff were incredibly supportive, my host family made me feel at home, and I made great friends along the way. Of course there were adjustments, like getting used to the late dinners and navigating a new city, but those experiences became part of what made the semester so memorable. I came home more confident, more independent, and even more excited about pursuing a career in public health. I would definitely choose this program again and recommend it to anyone looking for a meaningful study abroad experience.

I absolutely loved this program. I came to Argentina with limited Spanish, and it improved exponentially. I loved living with a host family, taking the subway to school, joining run clubs, exploring the city, and going to asados! The people of Argentina are so lovely and welcoming.

I learned so much in my classes, and loved that we got to travel as part of the program. Mendoza was unforgettable, and I loved getting to learn about NGOs. Also, the internship aspect was the coolest opportunity, and I learned so much.

This program taught me SO much about the health system, the culture of Argentina, Spanish, and myself! I got to explore South America, and officially feel confident in my Spanish.

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.

I absolutely loved this program and would recommend it to anyone interested in studying public health in a Spanish-speaking context. I learned so much‚ both academically and personally. I developed a really close relationship with my host mom and learned so much about Argentinian history and culture through conversations with her. I loved the program's emphasis on experiential learning in addition to traditional classroom learning, and I feel like I gained a much broader perspective on health in general. I could not be more grateful for this experience!

This program is a great opportunity for people who want to gain on-the-ground public health experiences. I felt myself challenged by all aspects of the program and definitely improved my Spanish skills as well as my understanding of public health systems outside the United States. That being said, keep in mind that this is a very intense program that is not comparable to a classic European study abroad trip. You will either be in class or on a field visit from 9:00-5:00pm most days. While this presents great learning opportunities, it may take a little bit of time to get used to the Argentine teaching style, which includes 2-3 hour lectures with little discussion. Overall, be prepared to find yourself being pushed outside your comfort zone. It may be uncomfortable at first, but the program provides great academic and professional experience that will no doubt benefit you upon your return.

This program was an incredible experience from start to finish. The classes were super interesting and relevant, covering important public health topics that felt even more meaningful thanks to the immersive activities and trips around the country. Everything we learned in class was reinforced by real-world experiences, making it such an engaging way to study public health. The homestays were hands down the best of any program in Buenos Aires. While other students in different programs had mixed experiences, everyone in SIT raved about their host families. It was the perfect way to practice Spanish, experience daily life in Argentina, and feel truly at home in the city. The SIT team, professors, and partner organizations were all amazing—super knowledgeable, supportive, and passionate about their work. They made the program not just educational, but also really meaningful. And of course, Buenos Aires itself is the perfect place to study abroad. There’s so much to see and do, from exploring neighborhoods to enjoying live music, great food, and cultural events. People are warm and welcoming, and the city has an energy that makes every day exciting. Overall, this program was enriching, inspiring, and just an all-around amazing experience. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for an immersive and impactful study abroad experience!

If you are interested in anything related to healthcare and want to improve your spanish speaking skills I HIGHLY recommend this program. It is an amazing blend of health related topics, spanish language immersion, and fun/exploration of a new city. All of the program directors were so supportive and helpful throughout the process. They understand that it's a hard change and are willing to help with literally anything! You are placed with a host family who is picked specifically for you based on your interests and lifestyle needs (and the homestay coordinator is incredible with making connections and helping out with anything you need for this) and this experience is really helpful for spanish language immersion. There were SO many program sponsored (and required) trips and events that allowed us to see a lot of different parts of the country while still doing some school-related work! There was also some time to travel on our own and explore more! At the end of the program there is an internship or independent project that was super fun, there is a lot of independence and it looks great on resumes for the future. The whole experience, from the people to the location to the food to the school/fun balance was just amazing and I can't speak highly enough about it! (I added a few pictures but these are just a few of the TONS of things we got to experience)!