SIT Study Abroad: Argentina: Social Mvmts. & Human Rights

They say that nothing worthwhile is easy and this is definitely true of this program. My time in Buenos Aires with SIT was incredible. I watched my Spanish fluency go from intermediate (like a 45 Spanish score on Duolingo) to advanced (101 on Duolingo)! I made lifelong friends in my cohort, at my internship, and with locals. I loved learning about human rights and social movements in the context of Argentina and Latin America as a whole. The meals and laughs I shared with indigenous families in the South and North were indescribable. The village of support around you is immense and I recommend that you advocate for yourself upfront (before the program starts). You will be challenged with what I call the "Spanish overload" mentally and physically. However, stick with it and remain optimistic. I struggled at times with my Spanish abilities, but then there were moments of gold. For example, I went from pretty basic conversations with my host mom to interviewing locals about identity in complete Spanish. The program staff (or the "girl band" as I call them) will be your greatest cheerleaders if you let them. Embrace the ambiguity that comes with your time abroad. Live in the moment and immerse yourself as much as possible. You truly do not know how resilient and capable you are of achievement until you throw yourself in a different country and culture.

I cannot emphasize enough how important this program has been in my personal and academic development. The classes with Argentinian professors, visits to local organizations, and trips to Patagonia and the northern provinces combined to create a holistic understanding and knowledge of Argentina. The classes challenged my beliefs about the world and international relations, and conversations with locals made me more empathetic and cognizant of the world and people around me. The final month dedicated to doing an internship or a research paper pushed me academically and culminated in a final research paper of which I am extremely proud. The host family experience was truly amazing, and I am sure I will maintain contact with them for many years to come. The on-site Argentinian staff members are lovely and incredibly supportive throughout the process. I also found time to travel around Latin America, which added so much to this experience. I cannot say enough good things about this program, and I just have to say thank you to Argentina for all that it has taught me about the world and myself.

As cliche as it sounds, studying abroad in Argentina through the Social Movements and Human Rights program was one of the most transformative of my academic career. Academically, the incredibly knowledgeable staff and once-in-a-lifetime experiential learning combine to present a unique opportunity to challenge your point of views and world understanding. From visiting indigenous communities, social movements, and participating in an internship (or research project) the experience allowed me to think in new ways and develop as a global citizen. Furthermore, living in a homestay was one of the best part of my experience. Through eating dinners, watching television shows and movies, and my homestay mom constantly correcting my grammar, the homestay component not just helped me improve my Spanish but connect with my family personally. I have no doubt that we will be in contact far past the conclusion of the program. Finally, living and truly getting to immerse yourself in a new culture pushed me to reflect on my own assumptions about the world. Together, the semester was truly was on the most incredible I have had.