SIT Switzerland: Global Health & Development Policy

This experience was honestly everything I would have wanted my study abroad experience to look like.
Even though it was not extremely academically challenging, I learned so much that I would not have been able to learn in the typical classroom setting. I am a Public health major at my home university and this experience really broadened my understanding of what a career in the Global Health field looks like. We attended briefings at various International organizations such as the WHO and the UN and we had the opportunity to hear from professionals working in the field which was very awesome. This also gave me the opportunity to develop my professional communication skills.

Apart from academics, I also had the opportunity to travel to neighboring countries. The train system in Switzerland is very efficient and easy to use, so I was able to really explore Switzerland as well.

The program offered everything I was looking for personally and professionally. It gave me an introduction to global health. It increased my awareness and knowledge of human rights. It propelled me to tackle a new language that I love and will continue to learn. It empowered me by putting me in places I only dreamed of, but now I know that I can one day go back to as a professional.

It was extremely worthwhile. I was able to expand my global lens and really learn what it means to be a citizen of the world! I gained a new perspective on the issues that our world is currently facing, and how I can utilize my education and skills to tackle these problems. I stepped out of my comfort zone and was able to become more confident in my abilities and discover new things about myself. The small and big experiences I had each taught me something either about myself, others or some aspect of the world we live in. I gained a greater appreciation for nature and other things. Lastly this experience and the individuals I met influenced the life I want to live as I move forward!

This program exposed me to humanitarian aid and global health and what people can do to get involved. The different briefings at different organizations exposed me to an array of different career options. Morocco was also a very special experience. There was much more cultural interaction and exposure in Morocco. The academics in this program is not rigorous which I recommend taking advantage of by traveling. Explore the surrounding countries and explore Switzerland (use the Swiss Pass! You can even go to parts of France and Italy with it). Not the right program if you really want to improve French. The right program if you want to learn more about global health.