SIT Study Abroad: Argentina: Public Health in Urban Environments

SIT Study Abroad: Argentina: Public Health in Urban Environments

Location
  • Argentina
    • Buenos Aires
    • Mendoza
Term
Fall, Spring
Subject Areas
Anthropology Health Sciences Human Rights Latin American Studies Liberal Arts Medicine Pre-Med Public Health Social Sciences Social Work Sociology +1
Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, BIPOC funding
Health & Safety

Program Details

Program Type
Direct Enrollment
Degree Level
Bachelors
Housing
Dormitory Host Family
Language
Spanish

Pricing

$21,436
Price Details
See more info here: https://studyabroad.sit.edu/admissions-aid/financing-your-study-abroad/tuition/
What's Included
Accommodation Some Activities Airport Transfers Classes Travel Insurance
What's Not Included
Some Activities Airfare Meals SIM cards Visa
Apr 30, 2026
Jul 20, 2026
1 traveler is looking at this program

About Program

Examine urban epidemiology and the challenges and inequities in public health policy in Buenos Aires, Mendoza, and Misiones. Explore how Argentina’s healthcare system is organized by interacting with professionals, experts, and the national Ministry of Health. Learn Spanish language skills related to public health issues, and practice through daily interactions with lecturers, healthcare practitioners, and host families.

This program offers the opportunity to earn a minor in global health or Latin American studies. Through this program, you’ll examine urban epidemiology and the challenges and inequities in public health policy in Buenos Aires, Mendoza, and Misiones. You will also learn Spanish language skills related to public health issues and practice through daily interactions with lecturers, healthcare practitioners, and host families.

COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

This program offers an intense, structured public health curriculum with immersive Spanish language practice and extensive travel across Argentina.

Program Highlights

  • Study urban epidemiology and public health policy.
  • Interact with professionals, experts, and the Ministry of Health.
  • Visit Buenos Aires, Mendoza, and Misiones.
  • Build Spanish language skills for public health contexts.

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion 💙

Program Reviews

4.75 Rating
based on 24 reviews
  • 5 rating 75%
  • 4 rating 25%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.25
  • Support 4.8
  • Fun 4.75
  • Housing 4.95
  • Safety 4.45
Showing 1 - 8 of 24 reviews
Isabel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best experience ever!

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.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would worry less before arriving. The program staff and host family were incredibly supportive, and I settled in much faster than I expected.
Pros
  • Hands-on public health internship that complemented what I learned in class.
  • Extremely supportive program staff who were always available to help.
  • Living with a host family made it easy to experience everyday Argentine culture.
Cons
  • Dinner is served very late (around 9–10 p.m.), which takes some getting used to.
  • Buenos Aires can be more expensive than expected if you like eating out or traveling on weekends.
  • Some of the provided meals became repetitive over the semester.
9 people found this review helpful.
Kate
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Beautiful Country and Enriching 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.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Dive into all the city has to offer!! Run clubs, bars, parks, museums, futbol matches, padel, etc!
Pros
  • Travel through the program
  • Internship
  • Host Family
Cons
  • Intense class weeks at times
  • Hard adjustment to Spanish at first
6 people found this review helpful.
Alice
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I <3 Argentina!!

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.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Don't panic about your Spanish skills, especially in the first 2-4 weeks. It will get easier, and you will learn how to handle so many new situations.
Pros
  • Spanish immersion
  • Coffee shops/cafes
  • Glaciers, rainforests, cities, and vineyards all in one country
Cons
  • Schedule varies week to week
  • It's possible to live far across the city from your friends
49 people found this review helpful.
Reena
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best 3.5 months of my life!

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!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Cow intestine on the parilla—and it was riquísimo!!!
Pros
  • Spanish-language immersion
  • host family love and support
  • new friendships with US college students
Cons
  • far from home
  • not long enough
98 people found this review helpful.
Maya
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An academically intensive yet rewarding 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.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
During the last month of the trip, I interned at the Buenos Aires Ministry of Health. I was nervous to put my Spanish to use in a professional setting. However, the team I worked with was very patient and understanding, which helped ease my nerves.
Pros
  • Language learning
  • Internship experience
  • Excursions
Cons
  • Hard to get outside the SIT bubble and meet locals
  • Some difficulty finding meals if you have dietary restrictions
  • Strict schedule and long classes
102 people found this review helpful.
Olivia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Phenomenal program in an incredible city!

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!

101 people found this review helpful.
Emma
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

AMAZING program for students interested in anything healthcare/spanish language!

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)!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My two biggest pieces of advice are A) practice spanish speaking and listening skills before you get there and B) be very open to getting to know new people as you are with the program group of students a lot as well as your host family.
Pros
  • Immersion in a new and different culture in comparison to the US.
  • Inclusive and well rounded program with lots of built in activities and trips!
  • Incredibly helpful, supportive staff/program directors.
109 people found this review helpful.
Alexandra
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Awesome Experience!

SIT Public Health in Urban Environments was an incredible program that facilitated growth and learning for me and all my fellow participants. Through immersive excursions and the homestay living arrangements, I was able to get to know Buenos Aires and Argentina through diverse and qualified perspectives. It had a profound impact on my worldview and understanding of healthcare-- both as a global and necessarily local phenomenon. My Spanish has improved drastically and I would recommend this to anyone interested in getting to know a new city.

112 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers