SIT Study Abroad: Argentina: Public Health in Urban Envr.

The program is well-designed for those who want to have an in-depth exploration of public health. In addition to providing good academic structure and thoughtful site visits, my favorite aspect of the program was the independent research project. I had support from staff to research my interest in infectious diseases that I wouldn't have been able to do otherwise. For my project, I was encouraged to interview professionals and collaborate with those directly working in infectious disease prevention which was a dream come true! All in all, the staff are very supportive and the connections/partnerships they have with those in public health make this program unique and well worth it!

I absolutely loved my semester abroad with this program and would recommend it to anyone that is interested in learning about public health in a Spanish-speaking context. I learned so much from an academic and professional perspective, but I also learned a ton about myself. I adore my host mom and learned so much from her and I hope to keep in touch with her for many, many years. I loved the group of students in my program, and we had a perfect balance of time in Buenos Aires and time spent traveling—either with the program or independently. I am a much more confident and independent person now, with interests and insights that I would not have gained if it were not for this experience. I am immensely grateful!

This program is a great opportunity for people who want to gain on-the-ground public health experiences. I felt myself challenged by all aspects of the program and definitely improved my Spanish skills as well as my understanding of public health systems outside the United States. That being said, keep in mind that this is a very intense program that is not comparable to a classic European study abroad trip. You will either be in class or on a field visit from 9:00-5:00pm most days. While this presents great learning opportunities, it may take a little bit of time to get used to the Argentine teaching style, which includes 2-3 hour lectures with little discussion. Overall, be prepared to find yourself being pushed outside your comfort zone. It may be uncomfortable at first, but the program provides great academic and professional experience that will no doubt benefit you upon your return.