SIT Study Abroad Argentina: Social Movements and Human Rights

I can't overhype this program. It was such an amazing experience and if you are are someone who wants to study these subjects in this part of the word consider these 5 points:

1) You will not be able to find better staff and professors anywhere because SIT's program staff are so amazing

2) Buenos Aires is an amazing wonderful city that is both surprisingly safe given its size and filled with amazing cultural opportunities to explore.

3) You will learn so much: both through the classes and the ISP/Internship period

4) More on ISP: this was an amazing opportunity to conduct research and do what I wanted while still receiving plenty of support.

5) You will absolutely improve your Spanish, and it's not scary like it can sometimes be because the vast majority of Argentineans are so kind and patient

The SIT Argentina program was an incredibly formative academic and personal experience. With a strong foundation in Spanish, I found the coursework to be intellectually engaging and well-paced, though even students with less language experience were able to succeed thanks to the supportive and accessible teaching environment. The small cohort size allowed for deep discussions and consistent interaction with professors, and the classroom component was enriched by two weeks of fieldwork, which brought our studies to life in a powerful way. The local staff were one of the program’s greatest assets—deeply caring, present, and helpful long after the program ended. While my individual housing situation was not ideal and my host family did not provide great meals, I believe that was an exception rather than the norm. Outside of that, Argentina offered fantastic and affordable food options, though being vegetarian was a bit limiting. Socially, I enjoyed exploring the city through daily swims, café hopping, and public transportation, even if I didn’t prioritize making local friends. Health services, including therapy and acupuncture, were easy to access and well-coordinated by SIT. I felt safe throughout my time there by using common sense and being aware of my surroundings. Financially, the favorable exchange rate made it easy to live on a student budget. Ultimately, this program launched two thesis projects and laid the groundwork for my Fulbright application and master’s degree. I would absolutely choose it again.

Oh where do I start? This program is densely packed with content. You go from exploring museums, to city tours of old history, to chatting with various underground, above ground, and indigenous leaders! There is a vast amount of cultural enrichment within this program, many, many visits to differing places with the goal of teaching you about various social movements and history of human rights. You are given the opportunity to do an internship, or qualitative research project which both set you up for success following your time in the program. Additionally, the various places you'll visit in this program are beyond beautiful and the cities and towns have a lot to offer! I very much recommend this program for so many reasons. It helped me gain in-person experience in my field, enrich my Spanish speaking skills, meet amazing friends and collaborators that I wouldn't have otherwise got the chance to meet. Many of my peers in my program have also gone on to get accepted to Fulbright programs due in part to their time in this program. Don't regret it! Choose Social Movements and Human Rights!

I had such a wonderful time -- the people, the academics, and the city changed my perspective completely. Go in with an open mind and I can't recommend it enough.

This is such an amazing program!! The directors are so dedicated to no only the academics but also the social and personal lives of the students. Every week you go on at least one visit to a non-profit or local organization to learn from locals about the social movements and human rights you are learning about, which creates an incredible hands-on experience. There are also group social events planned every few weeks to create bonds and community within the program. I have nothing bad to say about any part of SIT Argentina: Social Movements and Human Rights and could not have asked for a better program!!

They say nothing worthwhile is easy and this is definitely true of this program. I watched my Spanish fluency go from intermediate (Spanish score of 45 on Duolingo) to an advanced level (score of 101 on Duolingo)! Living with a host family while taking classes and/or interning left an immeasurable effect on my Spanish fluency. I loved learning about human rights and social movements in the context of Argentina and Latin America as a whole. Through classroom discussions, visits to different NGOs and grassroots, and trips where we shared meals and laughs with indigenous families, I gained a deeper understanding of my host country and of the world. Plus I got to see Patagonia, yes the region (not the clothing brand)!

Prior to arriving in Argentina, I highly recommend making Duolingo, Babble, and/or Rosetta Stone your new addiction. Also challenge yourself to practice speaking, writing, and listening to things in Spanish. Additionally, you must be up front or honest about your medical needs. Get accommodations even if you think you'll be fine. For example, I got accommodations for extended time on tests and assignments. Many of my peers who needed accommodations, regretted not talking to the SIT Student Health & Wellbeing Center prior to starting the program. My host family was very wonderful and supportive of my needs as well. I loved my neighborhood and I felt completely safe in the country the whole time I was there. When I had a medical issue, the SIT program staff helped me immediately with scheduling an appointment through GeoBlue. One staff member even accompanied me to the hospital. GeoBlue is super understanding and will pay for the cost of seeing a doctor (just follow the directions of your program staff, the GeoBlue app, and call GeoBlue).

It's truly difficult to understand how impactful study abroad is until you've done it. So I urge you to apply for this program AHORA! You won't regret it.

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.