Ellie Hood

How did studying abroad affect your academic and/or professional career?

Studying abroad with SIT has introduced me to a truly global perspective of health and life itself. I have met and worked with public health professionals, academics, policymakers, and local people to understand these systems abroad. I gained insights that I would never find in a classroom, and I feel more certain that public health is the right path for me.

How did you explore your hobbies, interests, and passions abroad?

I made sure to spend time outdoors and engage with my cohort. It is such a busy and involved program that you need to prioritize these relationships with yourself and your peers. I found local yoga classes (despite the language barriers), brought crafts (lots of my friends took up crochet), and spent my free time exploring my surroundings. When you go abroad and are away from your home, friends, and family, it is easy to lose your sense of self, but having hobbies and moments of self care helps so much.

Why would you recommend your respective abroad program or location?

I recommend an IHP program because it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be fully immersed in so many different cultures. My homestay family experiences were so incredible and eye-opening, and they will change how I think about my life forever. I felt like while the academic program was not too demanding, I still learned so deeply. It was well-planned, which made it easier to focus on experiencing each country.

What should students consider when applying and preparing for their time abroad?

Have a realistic expectation of how you want to spend your time; if you want to sightsee, travel, and have an independent experience, do not pick a very structured program. If you want cultural immersion, homestay experiences, and group activities, a structured program might be better for you. Understand your comfort levels, how you decompress, your social battery, etc… I recommend doing pro/con lists or journaling to get in touch with yourself.

Did your identity impact your study abroad experience?

A friend of mine reminded the group early on that some people are lucky enough to study abroad, and some people are privileged enough to study abroad. It was important for me to recognize my privilege in having access to a good education and money to travel. Going abroad in the global south and other countries that are so different from the US makes you constantly aware of your American identity and privilege; it is an uncomfortable feeling, but it is necessary to grow and build cultural competence.

Share a story about a time you experienced cultural immersion.

My homestay family, my roommate, and I went to the Mid Autumn Festival celebration in their apartment block. There was a freeze dance party and other games for kids, performances from girls’ dance teams, and Vietnamese candies. The kids were really excited to meet us and practice their English; they gave us cute carved fruits off of the altar, and we ended up sharing mooncakes in their apartment later that night. Living with homestay families in any country is the best cultural immersion!!