SIT Switzerland - Diplomacy and IR June 19, 2023
By A student (International Relations, Claremont McKenna College) - abroad from 01/24/2023 to 05/08/2023 with
SIT Study Abroad: Switzerland - International Studies and Multilateral Diplomacy
I am someone who also likes to have fun, explore, and connect with peers. During my semester with SIT, I was able to do all 3 without any troubles. Although it can be somewhat difficult to meet people in new places depending on language barriers, age demographics, or interests, the connections always start internally, with the semester’s class. Our group went through a period of growth throughout the semester, as we all started to become closer once we learned more about each other. Outside of the group, connecting with locals and other individuals is really on the student, but is most definitely possible. In my own experience, I met good friends in Switzerland through our shared interests of traveling, basketball, and music. If you put yourself in situations where you may be the only American (or “foreigner”) in the room, chances are good things will come of it.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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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: |
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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? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
As the school that facilitates and plans the itinerary for this experience, the School for International Training (SIT) truly puts its students in positions for success. While spending a semester in a different country comes with its awes, the semester is still one in which students continue developing their academic and professional lives. SIT balances these aspects effortlessly, exposing students to relevant coursework (relating to focus area) taught by many high-raking visiting professionals. Through this approach, students are able to learn about different subjects from people who currently work in these areas. In my case, I was particularly interested in sessions we had with professionals coming from the United Nations and World Trade Orginization, who taught us fundamentals of negotiations and diplomacy among other things. Sessions like these taught me relevant academic skills, but also peaked my interest in the work done in the industry itself. SIT has curated this part of the program particularly well. |
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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| 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? | French 44 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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? |
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? | To be open minded, and ready to get out of my comfort zone! |
