SIT Study Abroad: Bolivia - Multiculturalism, Globalization, and Social Change
- Location(s): Cochabamba, Bolivia
- Program Type(s): Study Abroad
SIT Study Abroad
Explore how concepts of community well-being and cultural identity are being creatively redefined in Bolivia, a country with 36 ethnic groups and the first indigenous president in South America.This program studies cultural identity and the concep... read more
All Reviews
My semester with SIT Bolivia opened up the world before my eyes. It has changed the course of my life and quadrupled the possibilities I can imagine for myself. Isabel Cushing - Williams College View Entire Review
How to overcome the challenges of being abroad/speaking a different language made me much more confident in my life in the US. Also my Spanish ability improved a lot. A student - University of Vermont View Entire Review
My Spanish improved immensely and I learned a lot about social issues in Bolivia. Claire Carson - Colgate University View Entire Review
I learned a lot about decolonization, neoliberalism, and indigenous reality and cosmovisión. Also, the program does a great job of challenging western perspectives. Cailin Campbell - University of San Francisco View Entire Review
I learned a lot about non-Western perspectives, colonization/decolonization, neoliberalism, cosmovision and other indigenous outlooks on life. Julius F - Columbia University View Entire Review
I can have casual conversations in Spanish with ease and I feel so much more confident in myself. Trust me, this program will throw challenges at you (especially when you go off for a month to do your independent research project), but it'll be so worth it. Alex Bare - University of Iowa View Entire Review
Lots of friendships and lots of personal growth in terms of my plans for my future and my new approaches to the rest of my undergraduate career. A student - Skidmore College View Entire Review
I learend a lot about my own privileges. I also learned a lot about interactions between foreigners and locals. It was SO WORTHWHILE, it's hard to begin describing. A student - Trinity University View Entire Review
The trip was utterly worthwhile. I improved my language abilities, gained confidence and loved the entire experience Isobel D - Harvard University View Entire Review
Lots of friends, a new perspective on American influence abroad, a deep interest in the War on Drugs and its affects abroad, appreciation for Andean culture and concepts, and a deep understanding of the current Bolivian government and its policies. Lucia C - Middlebury College View Entire Review
It was totally worthwhile. I learned about an amazing country and a really unique group of people. How much I love my own country and a better way of life. A student - Brandeis University View Entire Review
I learned that even though we may have good intentions to help another country, doesn't mean we are not causing more harm than good. It was definitely worthwhile! Ajai S - Brandeis University View Entire Review
Learned a lot about the country, met wonderful people on my program, improved my spanish A student - Brandeis University View Entire Review
My Spanish skills definitely improved, I gained more cultural competency in addition to gaining confidence in traveling in new areas by myself. I also learned new skills for conducting ethical research abroad The experiences I had in Bolivia and what I learned from them would not have happened anywhere else. Kendall Gail - Northwestern University View Entire Review
Understanding of Indigenous perspectives Karen C - University of San Francisco View Entire Review
I learned how to think of colonialism and neo-colonialism in a new perspective, I learned a basic level of Quechua, and I made very deep friendships with Bolivians and my fellow classmates. It was very challenging but incredible. Olivia K - Columbia University View Entire Review
I loved every second of it. I learned so much about Bolivia, America, and who I am as student as well as a foreigner in another country. I have never learned so much in such a short time span. Tierney T - Trinity University View Entire Review
i learned so much about myself, about bolivia, and about what i want to do in the future. Jacquelyn Kovarik - Columbia University View Entire Review
I learned so much about myself, my place in the world as a US citizen and helped develop my academic interests in Latin America, indigenous culture and immigration. A student - Carnegie Mellon University View Entire Review
I gained independent research skills, language skills, independence, new friends, and an incredible host family. Shay G - Macalester College View Entire Review
Amazing experience Hannah R - Tufts University View Entire Review
I learned so much about the social movements and social issues, both past and present, that are both unique to Bolivia's complex and interesting history and also can apply to many of the global issues we face today. I gained confidence in my ability to speak another language, navigate an unfamiliar place by myself, tackle challe... Emma S - Denison University View Entire Review
Before this program, I considered myself a well-traveled and fairly conscientious person. By participating in this program, my eyes were opened again and again, sometimes not so gently, to the complexities and subtleties of social dynamics, cultural norms, and the ways of the world we live in. It is the structure and location of... Hayley S - University of Denver View Entire Review
Learned a lot about Bolivia. Learned a lot about how differently people can see the world. Got a better perspective on what the US appears like internationally. Spanish skills are much better. Learned to be more independent. Worthwhile for sure. A student - Brandeis University View Entire Review
Absolutely worthwhile. This program and my time in Bolivia truly did change me for the better as corny as that sounds. I feel so connected to the country and have so many Bolivian friends that I care for so deeply. I learned so much about Bolivia, South America, Spanish language, and myself. 100% worthwhile - a part of my he... A student - Brandeis University View Entire Review
About
This program studies cultural identity and the concept of community well-being in Bolivia. On this program, you will inquire into the social and psychological impact of globalization on Bolivian communities in Andean and Amazonian regions, asking why some communities seem to be depressed, downtrodden, and at risk, while others find resilience and reaffirmation in their families, social networks, creative outlets, traditions, and other resources
Major topics of study include:
- Bolivia’s complex history and current realities
- Systems of knowledge and indigenous cosmovisión
- Themes of community well-being (“vivir bien”) and resilience
- Globalization and Bolivia’s contemporary sociopolitical struggles
Program Type(s):
Study AbroadProgram Length(s):
- Fall
- Spring
Instruction Language(s):
- Spanish
Language Requirement(s):
- Spanish
Relevant Study Subject(s):
- Latin American Studies
- Spanish Language, Literature
- Sociology
- Sociology and Anthropology
Minimum GPA:
2.5Website
N/AStatistics
SIT Study Abroad Scholarships
Students who are Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) Scholars will receive a $2,000 award for SIT Study Abroad semester or summer programs.
$2,000
To recognize and support Experiment alumni who also participate in SIT Study Abroad programs. Experiment alumni will receive a $1,000 scholarship for semester programs and $500 scholarship for summer programs. A $400 scholarship is also available to students who indicate that they have an immediate family member who has participated in an Experiment in International Living or an SIT Study Abroad program.
$400 - $1,000
The Federal Pell Grant Program provides support to undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. At SIT Study Abroad, we are dedicated to breaking down financial barriers and enabling students to engage in international learning experiences. Our commitment is evident through our Pell Grant Match program, which matches up to $2,500 for semester-term students and up to $1,000 for summer-term students who receive Federal Pell Grant funding at their home colleges and universities. This initiative empowers students with financial need to engage in transformative experiences abroad, regardless of economic constraints.
$1,000- $2,500
To recognize students participating in this community service program. Upon receipt of confirmation from a student’s Bonner mentor, SIT will award $2,500 for semester programs and $1,000 for summer programs.
$1,000 - $2,500
To recognize students participating in the National Security Education Program (NSEP) funded award, which focuses on study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad. Upon receipt of the student’s Boren confirmation letter, SIT will award a $1,000 scholarship.
$1,000
For students enrolled at Big 10 Academic Alliance universities. Eligible students demonstrating financial need will receive a $1,500 scholarship for semester programs and a $750 scholarship for summer programs.
$750 - $1,500
This is an automatic scholarship to recognize and support students who participated in one or more SIT Study Abroad programs, including alumni of short-term summer programs. The scholarship will be applied to a student’s second full term of study with SIT. The scholarship is $1,000 for a fall or spring semester program or $500 for a full-term, international summer program.
$500 - $1,000
For students with demonstrated financial need who enroll in any SIT Study Abroad program. The SIT Fund aims to help promote study abroad opportunities worldwide.
TBD
This is a scholarship to recognize and support students who participated a custom program at SIT. The scholarship is $1,000 for a fall or spring semester program or $500 for a full-term, international summer program.
$500- $1,000
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