Hope Rhind ’24

Hope participated in the School of International Training (SIT) program to Nepal, Jordan, and Chile for the Spring 2023 semester. Hope spent about one month in each country and had the opportunity to learn about different countries throughout one semester.

Why Hope Chose SIT

Hope chose this program because the overarching theme was human rights which she is very interested in studying. She also wanted to experience the varying cultures and participate in the cross-cultural research over the span of the three vastly different locations. The combination of the curriculum and the unique experiences she was expecting to have drawn her to this program. Hope also wanted to travel to places she had never been and try something new.

Best Experiences Abroad

Hope had many experiences that she enjoyed abroad. She most enjoyed making friends and developing relationships in this unique environment. From the friends she made who were in her group to the lasting relationships she built with my homestay families, the once in a lifetime experiences this program provided gave her a chance to meet people, she otherwise would have never been able to connect with. Hope also loved the food! She had some of the best food in her life in each of the three countries. The excursions and activities organized by the program (i.e. camel riding, hiking, going on a safari, cooking classes etc.) were some of the most fun she had on the trip.

Biggest Challenge

The biggest challenge on the trip for Hope was never being able to adjust to a schedule for the duration of the program (3.5 months). Not only were their days virtually never the same, living in a homestay requires lots of patience and flexibility. The lack of continuity in the academic portion of the program and the differences in expectations in home-stays required constantly adjusting and getting used to constant change. Not only were schedules always different in one country, every four to five weeks she had to pack up and move to a different country. The result was a very unpredictable time aboard. Although it was hard to get into a routine, the lack of a consistent schedule was also part of the fun and kept everything interesting and exciting for Hope.

Advice to Future Students

Hope would tell students who are planning to study abroad to try and live in the moment and appreciate every new experience. She would also encourage them to be flexible and adaptable. Being able to go with the flow will make your experience much more enjoyable and less stressful. Also, Hope thinks it’s important to refrain from creating any expectations or hold any assumptions about your time abroad. Without this, you’ll be able to learn so much and gain valuable experience and knowledge. And get out of your comfort zone and try new things!!