Best experience ever! July 20, 2026

By (Public Health, Tulane University) - abroad from 02/13/2026 to 05/28/2026 with

SIT Study Abroad: Argentina - Public Health in Urban Environments

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Studying abroad completely changed the way I think about public health, culture, and my own independence. Through my internship at Hospital Muñiz, I was able to observe how infectious diseases are managed in a resource-constrained healthcare system and compare those approaches to what I had learned in the United States. Outside of academics, I became much more confident navigating a new city, adapting to unfamiliar situations, and building relationships with people from different backgrounds. The experience reinforced my desire to pursue a career in global public health and was absolutely worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The academic structure made it easy to connect what we were learning in class with what we were experiencing throughout the program. Each module complemented our site visits and fieldwork, which helped reinforce the material in a meaningful way. The faculty were approachable, invested in our learning, and always willing to answer questions or provide additional guidance.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The on-site staff truly made this program exceptional. They genuinely cared about every student's experience and were always available to help, whether it was with academics, logistics, or simply checking in on how we were doing. Their support made Buenos Aires feel like home, and I always felt comfortable reaching out to them.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Living with a host family was one of the most rewarding parts of my experience. I was matched with an incredible host mom, and it was clear that the housing coordinator put a lot of thought into pairing students with families that fit their personalities. My homestay gave me a much deeper understanding of everyday life and culture in Argentina.

* Food:

Having breakfast and dinner provided each day made daily life much easier. There were also plenty of affordable places to grab lunch throughout the city.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I enjoyed experiencing the differences between Argentine culture and my own and appreciated how welcoming people were throughout my stay.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The staff clearly explained how to use GeoBlue and were prepared to help me navigate the healthcare system when it was needed.

* Safety:

Buenos Aires is a large city, so staying aware of your surroundings is important. I always felt comfortable in my neighborhood, and I never experienced any safety issues.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Yes! This program exceeded my expectations both academically and personally. It gave me the opportunity to gain hands-on public health experience, improve my understanding of Argentina's healthcare system and culture, and build meaningful relationships with my host family, classmates, and program staff. I left with greater confidence, lifelong memories, and experiences that have shaped my future career goals.

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

While Argentina can be more expensive than expected, but careful budgeting made it manageable. I recommend setting aside extra money if you want to travel on weekends.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Create a budget for your independent traveling. It can add up quickly!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Before starting the program I was pretty comfortable with my Spanish level. Even so, living with a host family and interacting with locals every day helped me become more familiar with Argentine vocabulary that you don't learn in a classroom.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 6 semesters of spanish
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Consume media in spanish, watch movies, listen to music, read books etc.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The people made the experience. The program staff created such a welcoming and supportive environment that it never felt like I was navigating Argentina alone. I also appreciated how experiential the program was. Between my internship, site visits, excursions, and discussions with local professionals, I gained perspectives that simply couldn't be replicated in a traditional classroom. The small cohort also made it easy to form meaningful friendships.
* What could be improved?
  • The only aspect I would improve is the food variety. While the meals provided were convenient and gave us a taste of Argentine cuisine, having a few more options throughout the semester would better accommodate different preferences and dietary needs.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known how quickly Buenos Aires would start to feel like home. Before leaving, I spent a lot of time worrying about the unknown, but the program staff and host family made the transition incredibly smooth.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!