Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Incredible Experience December 10, 2024

By (Public Health, Gender, and Sexuality, University of Pennsylvania) - abroad from 08/28/2024 to 12/10/2024 with

SIT Study Abroad: India - Public Health, Gender, & Sexuality

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This program gives you the opportunity to truly feel the cross-cultural experience. The experiential learning in this program is unmatched. You get the opportunity to go all over India, meet with NGOs and nonprofits, discuss the social issues that are being faced, understand the cultural context, and much much more. The challenges you face are multifaceted within the program and every student has their own experience overcoming those challenges. I learned so much and made so many memories! This is a great program!

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?

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $20/week on average

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? None
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? none
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • 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?
  • Traveling across India
  • Meeting leaders at the top NGOs and Non-profit organizations across India
  • Affordability
* What could be improved?
  • Distinction of classes, many topics overlap and sometimes it is hard to distinguish your classes, but you shouldn't worry about the impact on your grades at all
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? This is a public health, Gender, Sexuality course, you will be discussing what gender identity, sexuality, oppressed minority groups, and such topics.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!