Amherst student explores biodiversity and community in Madagascar
February 18th, 2026 | Africa, SIT Study Abroad
From playing music with her host siblings to studying lemur behavior in the field, Anya Hardy-Mittell’s semester in Madagascar was unforgettable. Hardy-Mittell, a senior at Amherst College, chose SIT's Madagascar: Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management program because she wanted to study environmental studies in a French-speaking country. SIT’s program uniquely combines both interests. While in Madagascar, she not only had the opportunity to study French but also learned Malagasy, another of Madagascar’s official languages.
But Hardy-Mittell says it was connecting with her two host families that resonated with her the most. "My favorite part of studying abroad in Madagascar with SIT was connecting with so many people—fellow students, the wonderful program staff, and most of all, my host families," she says. "I chose this program in part because I wanted to live with host families and form lasting relationships with them. For me, that involved playing a lot of music with my host siblings. Everyone was so welcoming and I really hope to go back to visit."
What's Hardy-Mittell's advice to prospective students considering Madagascar? "Challenge yourself to learn and speak Malagasy with your host families—there's a lot you can learn. While you will learn so much about Madagascar's biodiversity and get to visit really incredible places, don't take the day-to-day rhythm of life—going to the market, having breakfast with your host siblings, the walk to and from school, taking the bus—for granted. Those are the things you'll miss most."
Read this article in The Amherst Student to learn more about her lemur behavior study and Independent Study Project in collaboration with a local agricultural collective.
