Category: SIT Study Abroad

During my study abroad time in South Africa, I worked in a community health clinic in a township of Durban called Inanda. I was working as an intern/volunteer in which I would observe and assist health professionals in treating patients from the Inanda community. Before entering this setting, I learned about the healthcare system in…

This past fall I was able to study abroad in Amsterdam in a program through SIT called “International Perspectives on Sexuality and Gender.” My program was based in The Netherlands but we also spent a few weeks traveling throughout Morocco. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience in both countries and learned to think about gender studies…

Studying abroad in Switzerland was one of the most empowering and transformative experiences of my life. From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the beauty of the country – from the majestic Swiss Alps, capped with snow crystals, to the picturesque villages dotted throughout the countryside. The crisp mountain air and the sound…

An aspect of Moroccan culture that I had to adjust to was the clothes I was able to wear. In Morocco, it is customary for women to have most of their body covered by clothing. For most, this looked like long pants and long sleeve shirts. This was something I had to adapt to because…

My time in Jordan has been AMAZING! I have learned so much about the culture, language, politics, and people of Jordan – an experience I will forever be grateful for. I spent my program in Amman, Jordan the capital of the country. While here I studied refugees, health, and humanitarian action. Jordan hosts millions of…

South Africa is extremely rich in diverse cultures, and I’ve luckily had the experience of living among Zulu people during my homestay in a township called Cato Manor. While simultaneously learning the language, it was amazing to experience the locals’ shock and joy when we could respond to them in the Zulu language.             I…

It’s not easy to write about confrontation while you’re sitting in a sunflower field in the Swiss alps. Up to when I write this, my whole experience has been better than I had pictured it. I haven’t had a language barrier with my home stay family and I’ve been integrating very well which could be…

It took me sitting down and reflecting on U.S. culture to write a study abroad blog post to realize that I won’t be home for the next 4 months. An aspect of U.S. culture worth reflecting upon is the preference for space, whether it be in the workplace, in traffic, in personal space, or even…

In thinking about an aspect of U.S culture, one of the first words that came to my head was money. In many ways, U.S culture has placed value on having and making money. Due to this, our culture has encouraged habits, attitudes, and behaviors that revolve towards making money and acquiring more things. Money is…

When I sat down to try and encapsulate American culture, one phrase immediately came to mind. I believe the ethos “The American Dream” provides an admirable summary of American values. The American Dream is a phrase that stresses each American’s individual freedom and uniqueness. It deems anyone capable of achieving their dreams and aspirations with…