SIT Study Abroad

Challenging, safe, life-changing experience

Submitted by Elizabeth - - | September 01, 2017

I truly sing the praises of the Public Health, Policy Advocacy, and Community program in India to anyone who will listen. I spent the Fall semester of my junior year in 2015 studying in Delhi with SIT, and it was the greatest choice I have made in my academic career thus-far. I wanted a program that pushed me outside of my comfort zone and was not something I ever could have experienced in a classroom at Williams College, my home institution. This semester did that and more. I learned about healthcare practices and policy in India through an experiential-based model, doing workshops at long-functioning NGOs and speaking with doctors, midwives, and community health workers at District Hospitals and Community Health Centers; I spoke with people from the WHO and with Indian government officials; I led an independent study project by myself in rural Uttar Pradesh on maternal health access and outcomes. But the best part of the program lies in the staff and support through the SIT program in Delhi. Our professors were our teachers but also our parents away from home, helping us push ourselves to the limits of our comfort zones as juniors in college, while feeling safe and confident all the way. I felt supported 24/7 in all my new experiences. This program impacted my approach to my classes, education, and goals for a future career in healthcare back in the states, and led me to get a Fulbright-Nehru fellowship continuing public health research with connections I made during my independent study on the program.

Program: India: Public Health, Policy Advocacy, and Community

Experience of a lifetime!

Submitted by Maggie Pierce - High School | August 31, 2017

I loved this trip! I was able to learn so much of the culture, history, language and politics not just from hitting the books but actually experiencing it first hand! The team in Jordan is incredible and shows extreme love and care for every student

Program: Human Rights: Foundations, Challenges, and Advocacy

A new adventure

Submitted by Kamryn - University Academy | August 31, 2017

In Jordan I was able to meet some amazing people and do some amazing things. Before the trip I could not speak a lick of Arabic but by the end I could have a steady conversation with people in the city. After our classes the students all went into the city to buy stuff, eat, or just hang out. It was a great environment, great people, and great food.

Program: Jordan: Intensive Arabic Language Studies

Life Changing experience

Submitted by Ky Putnam - Milton Academy | August 24, 2017

I went into the program not knowing what to expect and I came out with experiences that will shape my life forever. In this program I was pushed to view my American sexual education in a different light when comparing it to the education in the Netherlands. From an exhibit about sex in the Amsterdam Children's Museum to the sexual education that begins in kindergarten, I fell in love with the open attitudes people have about sex. We had amazing speakers in the classroom who were all so knowledgable in their field. But really the best part of the trip for me was the people I went with. The group leaders were so good about making sure we safe and having fun. And the other students were some of the most open minded and inclusive people you could ever meet. By the end of the three weeks I felt like I had created a family with them. I will never forget the late night talks with my roommates about everything from gay hookup culture to police brutality. Before lessons in the morning those early to the office would have coffee together and talk about activism and queer* culture and sexual education. That is the kind of environment that this program fosters. This program was full of learning both inside and outside of the classroom.

Program: Netherlands: Perspectives on Sexuality & Gender

Overall a really great trip!

Submitted by EB123 - Grace Church School | August 09, 2017

I throughly enjoyed my time in the Netherlands. Not only was the group of students on the program incredibly accepting, kind, and inclusive, but the activities set up for us were engaging and educational. Some of my favorite excursions included the tour of the Red Light District and the boat tour of the canals. The program allowed all of the students lots of freedom to explore Amsterdam and spend time in the main part of the city which gave all of the students lots of independence. Though we had the opportunity to be independent, there was also a lot of time spent in the group taking classes and going on trips which allowed us to all become very close. One thing that I would change is the location of the home-stays; I was pretty far from the main part of the city and had to commute for at least 80 minutes everyday.

Program: Netherlands: Perspectives on Sexuality & Gender