Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Awesome Semester Abroad! February 10, 2026

By (Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Barnard College) - abroad from 09/03/2026 to 12/14/2025 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?
This program was so worthwhile, I met many new people that I hope to keep in contact with for years to come. I loved learning in an outdoor environment and taking classes in Spanish. Although it was hard to adjust to at the beginning, I eventually grew more comfortable with the language. I learned to be more confident in my decisions, within friendships, and navigating the outdoors. Overall, I would definitely do this program again, the people and place are amazing.

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.

* 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

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? Beginner
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? Intermediate 1
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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The mountains and ocean
  • The students and staff
  • Hands on learning
* What could be improved?
  • Academic rigor
  • Food options
  • Some host families
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that I wouldn't know who my host family was until only a couple days before living with them. This created anxiety for me, but luckily I was paired with a great host mom. Some other people weren't as lucky.