Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Experience and learn in 3 different cities May 19, 2024

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/28/2024 to 05/11/2024 with

SIT Study Abroad: IHP - Cities in the 21st Century: People, Planning and Politics

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I feel as though I have learned a lot through the experience and that it was definitely worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 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?

I definitely appreciated that we stayed in homestays, I think it was very special to get to know a family and be part of their home. That being said, the homestays range a lot in terms of family dynamics, house size, rules, etc which could sometimes be frustrating.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

If you got sick while abroad, we used an insurance company called iSOS and a member of the local staff team would come with you to the hospital

* Safety:

I think I generally felt pretty safe, particularly in Barcelona. In Capetown and Buenos Aires, the teams stressed to us the importance of not walking alone, of being careful of your belongings, etc, which made us more cautious.

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)

I think the cost of living was also very dependent on which country we were in, I found Argentina and South Africa easier to live on a student budget while Spain was a little more difficult. While we got stipends for transportation to and from school, we had to uber everywhere in Capetown, which made it feel more difficult/costly to explore and do other activities.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

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
  • International Students
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 other students on the program
  • Homestays
  • Guest Lectures
* What could be improved?
  • Homestays
  • Communication between local staff and students / across local country staff from country to country
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Generally, there is not a lot of consistency and routine day-to-day. By nature of the program you are always doing different things, going to different site-visits, speaking to organizations, meeting guest lecturers, etc.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.