“Best decision I could have made”: SIT alums on their time studying abroad in Europe

October 27th, 2025   |   Alumni, Europe, SIT Study Abroad

Looking to study abroad in Europe? With nearly 30 SIT programs in Europe across most major countries and cities, focused on multiple areas of study, the decision can be overwhelming. Who better to help than another student who has firsthand knowledge?

Here, SIT alums share what made three different SIT study abroad experiences in Europe transformational.

“Without a doubt, choosing SIT’s Netherlands: International Perspectives on Sexuality and Gender program was the best decision I could have made. As a sociology major and a women, gender, and sexuality studies minor, I was incredibly excited about the coursework, excursions, and independent study project. I had high expectations going into this program, but was still completely blown away by the experience. Although there is an emphasis on gender and sexuality, the professors made a committed effort to also discuss other intersections. The various excursions, guest lecturers, and independent work all helped in creating an incredibly positive, inclusive, and vast learning environment. I never felt as though we were missing out on learning opportunities and greatly appreciated all the work done by the professors and staff to make sure that we explored a range of topics.

SIT brings in guest lecturers and professors to teach the different classes. I personally really liked this style of teaching and learning. I felt like it gave us the chance to hear many different perspectives, and I was never bored.

Amsterdam itself is an unbelievable city to live and study in. I have never felt safer in a city and loved being able to explore everything by bike. There is always something to do, whether you just want to sit in a cafe, go to a park, or go out at night. And my homestay experience was nearly perfect. The SIT homestay coordinator did a wonderful job matching students with families and keeping in touch to help sort out any problems. I would highly recommend this program to anyone interested in learning more about the interplay of gender, sexuality, race, and migration in the Netherlands!”

- Grace, Netherlands: International Perspectives on Sexuality and Gender

"I had a fabulous time studying abroad in Switzerland with SIT. Top features that stand out to me include the homestay experience and the opportunity for travel. Living with a homestay family was so incredibly valuable. Not only was it a home away from home, but it provided the amazing opportunity to learn more about Swiss culture and to practice language skills. Additionally, travel was a highlight of my time abroad. The program gave students a Swiss Travel Pass, which means you can ride all the trains in Switzerland for free. It is actually hard to overstate how amazing this was. With the Swiss Travel Pass, I could go on excursions without having to stress about money.

The academic side of the program was very solid. If you manage your time, there is plenty of time to travel every weekend. Just know that for the first few months of the program, you have class five days a week. The independent study project the last month of the program was great! There were no course classes during this period, so you can travel and work on your project simultaneously. While people may be tempted to travel to foreign destinations, I would really encourage them to travel within Switzerland as much as possible. The program size is relatively small, so it is easier to make friends than in the massive study abroad programs. You take all the same classes with your classmates so you get to know everyone very well. I feel so grateful to have had the opportunity to live in such a beautiful place as Switzerland for a semester."

- Brooke, Switzerland: International Studies and Multilateral Diplomacy

“There are different opportunities, and you’re not limited to internships over the summer. I never thought possibilities like this program existed. Now I can take my experiences and apply them to my future career.

Icelanders use a lot of diesel generators because they don’t have a great power source from the main grid. They’ve had to adapt and their energy prices are higher, even though there aren’t many people. We learned about their challenges and the initiatives to combat them. I looked at how we can create a local power source—a pumped hydropower plant that could be powered by a local wind farm. They also have a lot of channels in the northern region of Iceland, so I was thinking about a tidal barrage that would spin a turbine and produce energy.

We had weekends off, which was really nice. We hiked and there were a lot of natural springs, but one of my favorites was when we hiked 45 minutes up this canyon to a geothermal hot river where the water was 100 degrees and it was like a natural hot tub. Seeing the views and the ocean, mountains, the landscape, and puffins everywhere, I realized how beautiful the world is. It laid the foundation for why we’re here, to learn about renewable energy and how to preserve it. We learned in class, then went out and applied it, and for me that was very beneficial.”

- Lucas, Iceland: Renewable Energy, Technology & Resource Economics (Summer)

Learn more about SIT’s programs in Europe or contact an admissions officer.