International Relations Study Abroad Programs in United States

Oaxaca clarified my ambitions for the future, made me reflect on my interpersonal relationships because of the depth of kindness that I found in complete strangers, introduced me to lifelong friends and some of the funniest and most dedicated people I've ever met, taught me about what community efforts can humbly accomplish, and brought back a piece of myself that was lost in a lot of rush and struggle that this new pace of life and focus on more pressing issues washed out. The SIT program coordinators and the excursions we took were highlights of the program.

If you are even considering Oaxaca and it falls in your area of interests (or not specifically, but does grab your attention)I would highly recommend! One of the first things you are told is to be open with each other because you will build life long connections, which couldn't be more true. You will experience a great deal of culture and heavy topics that will bond you closer with each other as you all learn how to navigate being abroad, being immersed in immigration, local indigenous communities, and transnational communities in excursions. Outside of classes, you'll have amazing meals with your families and families of you friends, which adds so much to the experience as you meet their families and they let you into their culture. While the topic of immigration is very heavy and a difficult topic to prepare someone who has never witnessed the situations of the borders, the teachers and speakers do a great job of preparing us for what we are going to see and how we may feel. Most importantly, you are not alone in any of the experience while in Oaxaca.

Overall, I enjoyed the program. There were various opportunities to interact with locals and practice Spanish outside of a classroom setting. The various excursions are the best aspect of the program as they were well organized, in various locations, and offer insight into the topic of immigration, local indigenous communities, and transnational communities. The host program offered engaging classes and the staff were very kind and accessible. The host family living arrangements were safe and comfortable. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience that gave me the opportunity to learn more about a topic that interests me. I would recommend it!

Studying abroad was an experience full of uncertainties and firsts for me as someone who hadn't previously had the privilege of traveling internationally and intentionally. I could not have picked a better and more fitting program for me than the SIT IHP Health and Community program that ran course in India, South Africa, and Jordan during the Spring of 2022. The supports we had available to us students were well-thought out and ready for use. When issues came up, we were able to discuss them either with ourselves or our staff. Having homestays in India and Jordan allowed me to have deeper connections with the community and cultures that we were engaging with, which I still foster today. Our group culture was to strive for our best in our assignments, learning, discussions, and immersive experiences outside of the traditional classroom since the world is the true classroom. Every day of the program provided another lesson, another moment of growth, and another moment of connection with people who are gracious enough to provide us with their knowledge and care. My life has not been the same since study abroad and I am beyond grateful for the challenging and wonderful experience I had with people who are passionate about enhancing their worldview through meaningful action and community-building.

I became interested in urban studies my sophomore year, and wanted a change to explore the discipline in a transnational context, as my college didn't offer similar classes. I lived in Europe as a child and felt that it was likely I could visit some more traditional study abroad locations (England, France, Spain, Ireland, Australia) on my own.

This was an absolutlely rewarding academic and personal experience, because I learned more about myself and my place in the world than I could have in a classroom back home. I was constantly challenged by my professors and classmates to really look critically at our environments and cultural experiences. I was encouraged to find and pursue an independent project on a subject that truly interested me, and I found ample support from faculty and classmates alike. This program has better informed me of the kinds of professional experiences I want to engage in, and it certainly helps that doing IHP has now plugged me in to a huge network of professionals and opportunities. After doing IHP Cities, I'm excited for what's ahead!

I can say without a doubt that this program was the best experience of my life. It is so rare to come into contact with so many people from such diverse backgrounds who are not only intelligent, but curious, empathetic, and hyper-aware of the world around them. This program taught me how vast our world is, yet how incredibly small it is at the same time. I simply cannot describe the profound impact this program had on me; if you are thinking about applying, go for it! You will have the most unforgettable experience!