Beautifully designed program July 02, 2025

By (Environmental Science, Columbia University) - 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?
The academic and program directors are amazing and really provide an immersive experience. You get to learn from experts across various disciplines and community members. You become very familiar with the program location and the province in general through field trips and your courses. Antarctica alone makes the whole experience worth it! The internship was very research focused and gives you the opportunity to exercise your project management skills and conduct an independent study. Public transport in the city was reliable and safe. Hiking was mind-blowing. Great bakeries and cafes. More nightlife than you would think.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

restaurants meh, grocery stores have most things, if not health food stores had everything I wanted

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I found it hard to make friends outside of my host family and the other students in the program. But I did learn a lot about the local culture through my home stay and classes.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Veryyyy safe. great public transport.

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

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)

Given a lunch stipend which was enough to cover groceries but not to eat out every meal, for me at least.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $10

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

Encouraged a lot. Hard in practice to speak only in spanish with the other students.

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? One advanced college level course
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Make local friends.

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?
  • Hiking
  • Transit
  • Slower pace of life
* What could be improved?
  • Stray dogs
  • Local friends
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It is a small town, but it has a lot more to offer than you might think.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'