Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Experiential Learning at the Fin del Mundo May 30, 2025

By (Astrophysics, Pomona College) - abroad from 02/18/2025 to 06/02/2025 with

SIT Study Abroad: Argentina: People, Environment, and Climate Change in Patagonia and Antarctica

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
As a newcomer to environmental science, I learned a lot about climate change in a localized context and learned about methods in environmental research through the month-long internship.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The program consisted of four classes (2 Thematic Seminars, a research methods and ethics class, and Spanish), three excursions (around the Beagle Channel, Northern Tierra del Fuego, and the Antarctic Peninsula), and a month long internship or independent study project. Overall, the courses were less academically rigorous than my host institution but had periods with somewhat intense workloads (a few papers, the internship report, and a final oral defense).

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

While this program was not particularly academically rigorous, it was an absolutely unforgettable experience. The program successfully incorporated experiential learning in some of the most pristine locations on Earth with a broad range of lectures from local researchers and exciting final research projects.

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Advanced Spanish + Spanish Literature classes
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Antarctic Expedition
  • Experiential Learning
  • Homestay Experience
* What could be improved?
  • More intensive Spanish
  • Rigor and level of climate change classes
  • Steadier workload intensity
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Food options are somewhat limited and the city is rather expensive due to the high level of tourism.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

CLIMATE CHANGE AND MARINE BIOLOGY IN SOUTHERN PATAGONIA AND ANTARCTICA
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: For the first thematic seminar, Climate Change and Marine Biology in Patagonia and Antarctica, we received 2 hour lectures on a range of topics from local researchers and completed three short weekly homeworks. The course was geared more towards students with little background in climate science and emphasized breadth over depth. However, the program directors did an excellent job incorporating experiential learning + excursions into the curriculum. There was no final examination.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL DYNAMICS AND CONSERVATION IN SOUTHERN PATAGONIA & ANTARCTICA
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: This was my favorite course! This thematic seminar included lectures highlighting a range of perspectives, including artisanal fishermen, economists, and anthropologists. There were two papers for this course (one on socio-ecological paradigms and one analyzing artisanal fishing in the Beagle Channel) and a socratic discussion synthesizing content. There was no final exam for this course.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH METHODS AND ETHICS
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: This course offered basic information on topics such as how to write and read scientific papers, which was not particularly helpful as a student with a background in science. The main assignment for this class was a Climate Change Project that included surveys with the local community, a group report, and a final group presentation. There was no final exam.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Spanish for the Natural Sciences
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: This course was not academically rigorous or intensive. It consisted of twice weekly, two hour classes - mostly on basic grammar - and a few short homework assignments. I had a very positive experience with the Spanish professor for the intermediate level class, but the experiences of students in the other levels were mixed. This class had a written final exam (multiple choice, written, and oral) which was not difficult to pass.
Credit Transfer Issues: