Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An eye-opening experience, with Spain being my favorite! January 16, 2025

By (Urban Studies, Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/31/2024 to 12/14/2024 with

SIT Study Abroad: IHP - Cities in the 21st Century: People, Planning and Politics (Fall 2024)

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I saw how different people around the world. I saw my privileges and disadvantages on the world stage. Most importantly, I got to go to 3 different continents!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

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 didn't realize we'd be in hostels at the start of our stay in each country. Also, I had bunk beds in Spain, which were not a good arrangement considering the bed was too small for me as well as the fact that there was limited privacy.

* Food:

Make sure you bring your own spices to Argentina!

* 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? $150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save your money in Argentina because Spain is definitely the best place to shop.

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? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? SPAN 300
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Use the Mango languages program that SIT gives you access to! And don't be afraid to just speak Spanish in Spain and Argentina.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Shopping in Barcelona
  • Beach in Barcelona and Cape Town
* What could be improved?
  • Not staying at hostels at the start of each country
  • The program should allow us to take mental health days on Fridays or Mondays.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how much more expensive this program was than others. The deposit was $2500 whereas other program deposits were $500.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Politics and Development
Course Department:
Instructor: Dr. Juan Manuel Arbona
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The teacher was an unnecessarily harsh grader at times. With that being said, this course was very informative and I learned a lot of concepts related to Urban Planning.
Credit Transfer Issues: