SIT Study Abroad

As with most things in life, you will get out of this program what you put into it. This rule of thumb applies on every level (social, academic, etc.), though it is important to view this truth as encouragement rather than pressure. In a country as beautiful and welcoming as Tunisia, the only mistake you can make is beating up on yourself. SIT and the community you will be living in provide ample opportunities to become deeply acquainted with Tunisian society in any facet you choose. For instance, I excel at building community through sports. In the second week after arriving, my cohort and I went to spend the day at the beautiful beach in La Marsa, where, on a warm day (almost every day), you can find locals playing beach volleyball. By the third hour of playing, an organized club of expats had invited me to join them on their court. I met Mahdi, who invited me to play with him and a group of English-speaking Tunisians on weekend nights at an indoor facility. The first night that I joined them, I met my closest friend, Mehdi, who introduced me to his friends and so on. By simply opening myself to opportunities, I built a community that I maintain even today. Academically, the program is largely based on experiential learning. Once again, the rigor of the courses will be determined by your willingness to challenge yourself. If you enjoy smooth sailing in class and hitting the café for some shisha in the afternoon, there is ample opportunity for that lifestyle. Conversely, if you aim to advance your French or Arabic by multiple levels, write detailed papers on a regional or national topic of your choice, and build an extensive list of contacts in your field of interest, these goals can all be achieved. There is endless potential for both fun and intellectual stimulation, and the staff is dedicated to making your hopes and dreams a reality. In my opinion, the homestay is the most impactful component of the program. I was fortunate enough to be hosted by two wonderful host-parents, Leila and Riyad, who loved me like one of their own. Although it is important to explore your periphery, the true Tunisian experience takes place in the home. Through the delicious cuisine, family gatherings, and casual day-to-day activities, you will take part in cultural and linguistic immersion like no other. To the point of experiential learning, you will have the opportunity to participate in several excursions. I had been anticipating the Southern excursion since the day I applied to the program. To drive past hundreds of miles of olive groves and arrive at the famous city of Kairouan was like something out of a novel. The vast rooms of Kairouan’s Grand Mosque and the cliff-side village sitting above the oasis near Matmata are unforgettable scenes. There is something uniquely powerful and inspiring emanating from la terre de la Tunisie, to which I would recommend every student with an adventurous spirit to go and investigate.

This program gave me all I could ever want in an abroad experience; my host family was so loving and welcoming, and my academic experience was unparalleled. We visited hospitals all around the country, and spoke with many types of professionals in the healthcare field. My favorite part of this program was the traveling. We took multiple week-long trips as a group, each with a different academic focus, and we also had the opportunity for solo travel. I made it to six Argentine provinces, as well as Chile and Uruguay! Our program leaders were intelligent, organized, and kind, and they worked so hard to make this an unforgettable experience.

Nepal taught me so much about myself and what I want even after my study abroad experience. It was an amazing opportunity to be able to connect so deeply and closely with a culture so different than mine. It is a gorgeous and endlessly surprising place. Similarly, although the ISP can sound a bit daunting, it was such an incredible experience for me. I got to immerse myself even more in the local people, customs, and attitudes as well as consider more deeply the kind of work I want to do in the future.