eye-opening, awesome, friends for life July 12, 2025
By A student (Economics; Peace and Justice Studies, Wellesley College) - abroad from 02/01/2025 to 05/16/2025 with
SIT Study Abroad: IHP Health and Community - Globalization, Culture and Care
Absolutely worthwhile! I feel that this semester is the first time in my life where I have actually seen the world, and I don't mean seen in the physical sense as in traveling to other countries. I participated in religious customs, learned about different cultures, met so many new people, felt so loved by strangers, and saw the harsh truths of an underfunded health system.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
This is a fairly lax program in regards to academic work. You learn a lot via lectures and exposure on excursions, but studying is optional. Thus, you only get as much out of this program as you are willing to give. No one will be quizzing you on lecture material, so it is up to you to decide if you want to put in the effort to truly understand and learn the material. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
Adjusting to food can be tricky, especially in the case of host families where respect and language barriers can complicate the situation. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Everyone has GeoBlue and staff are incredibly helpful and caring in guiding students through the complicated healthcare system. I would go as far as to say that the staff were perhaps a bit overly cautious when it came to our health. |
| * Safety: |
There were a couple of incidents during my semester where things were stolen, but it also boils down to luck. People walking around alone at night were fine, but a group of students hanging out in a park were not. Thus, exercise some caution and listen to staff, but you do not need to be overly concerned. One thing that is hard to understand is the divide between safe neighborhoods and unsafe neighborhoods. Staff can tell you don't walk, uber everywhere, but that does not necessarily have to be true. What we lack as outsiders is information on where we can walk and where we actually can not. I would advise students to clarify such neighborhoods where it actually necessary to exercise caution. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
Dinner is covered by host families and in some countries so is breakfast. The program covers lunch. We had stipend cards that rarely worked, so you should be prepared to spend money from your own credit card and simply withdraw the remaining cash in the stipend card when you arrive back home. India was extremely affordable, South African and Argentina food costs were similar to costs in the US, but their activities/excursions costs were much cheaper! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | you have to be okay with the fact that you might not like your host family, they might be indifferent towards you at best, and the food will not leave you fulfilled. |
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 NetworkerAn active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume. |
