SIT Study Abroad Program Overview
Institution
SIT Study Abroad offers small (10-35 participants) semester and summer programs for undergraduate students in Asia and the Pacific, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, as well as comparative programs in multiple locations. Students step beyond the boundaries of a traditional classroom to analyze the critical issues shaping local communities around the globe. On SIT programs students will take a set group of courses pertaining to the topic of the program often including a language class. In addition each student will be prepared to complete an in-depth, field-based project known as the Independent Study Project (ISP). On many SIT programs, the project can take one of three forms:
- An ISP that addresses a formulated research question
- A creative ISP that incorporates artwork or a performance
- A practicum-based ISP
In each case, the project involves conducting original fieldwork, giving a final presentation, and writing a formal research paper. Students are required to examine the ethics of their research and consider its impact on local communities.
Locations
SIT offers programs in many countries around the world. Below is a link to a select list of SIT programs that we have identified as good curriculum or location matches for Appalachian students. Students are welcome to apply through this page for other SIT programs. Please take note that SIT does run some programs in countries with current
Travel Warnings. If a student wishes to participate on one of these programs they should contact the Education Abroad Office well in advance of their application to learn about the petition process.
Housing
Most programs include at least one homestay experience, offering you the chance to better understand the local culture and to experience the daily rhythm of life in the host country. Many programs offer homestays in both urban and rural areas to give you contrasting views of life in different social or ethnic contexts. Homestays can be anywhere from a few days to 14 weeks in duration. When not in homestays, students stay in appropriate lodgings that may include guest houses, educational institutions, camping facilities, or small hotels.
Financial
Program Costs
Students participating on SIT programs will be billed through Appalachian the SIT tuition, fee, deposit ($400) and housing/board costs. This will replace the Appalachian tuition & fees for the term they are abroad. In addition to the SIT costs students will also be responsible for submitting a $200 OIED Program Development Fee upon acceptance by the Education Abroad Office. The fee payment confirms your spot and is non-refundable. Students will also be billed a $60 International Health Development Fee after program confirmation.
Students should also plan for additional program related costs. The table below lists some of the common categories that students should plan for.
| Estimated Additional Costs |
Semester |
| Airfare |
Varies |
| 1Personal Expenses |
Varies |
| Books and Materials |
Varies |
| Local Transportation |
Varies |
| Visa (for US Citizens) |
Varies |
| Passport |
$150 |
| 2US Based Health Insurance |
Varies |
| 3Personal Travel and Spending |
Varies |
1Personal expenses includes but is not limited to: toiletries, cell phone, emergency funds, laundry, basic travel and entertainment, etc.
2Students are encouraged to maintain a US based health insurance plan while abroad (to exempt out of AppState insurance students must follow the App exemption process - proving that they have insurance coverage for the entirety of the semester.
3Personal Travel and Spending amounts will vary by student and will be affected by how often a student goes out, travels, and the items they purchase.
Please note that non-billable costs are estimates only and will be affected by personal spending habits, currency fluctuations, etc. Prices listed in USD unless otherwise noted.
Students are encouraged to start planning for their study abroad program costs well in advance. Please use the Student Financial Planning Worksheet to help estimate your anticipated expenses and your anticipated financial resources. When planning for estimated additional costs students are encouraged to research currency conversion rates.
Financial Aid
The majority of financial aid and scholarships can apply to semester and year-long study abroad programs. For more information please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid web page.
Scholarships
SIT Pell Grant Match
SIT offers matching funding to Pell Grant recipients. To qualify for the Match program students must submit a scholarship application through SIT.
SIT Need-Based Scholarships
SIT Study Abroad only awards need-based scholarships and grants. Average awards range between $500 and $5,000 for our semester programs, and between $500 and $3,000 for our summer programs. Our scholarships and grants are available to all students accepted into an SIT Study Abroad program irrespective of citizenship, national origin, or home school.
OIED Scholarships
Each semester OIED offers a variety of different scholarship opportunities for students. Scholarship awards range from $250 to $2000.
Benjamin A Gilman Scholarship
The Gilman Scholarship Program application is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study and intern abroad programs worldwide.
Fund for Education Abroad
Applicants from groups underrepresented in study abroad and those destined for non-traditional locations are given preference, in an effort to make the demographics of U.S. undergraduates studying abroad reflect the rich diversity of the U.S. population.
For information about additional scholarships please visit our External Scholarships web page.
Academics
SIT programs are based on the experiential learning model. Programs combine classroom study with hands-on work in the field. This allows students to learn directly from local experts, witness local initiatives firsthand, and gain valuable experience. For more information about the courses and structure of the program please visit the SIT website.
All students are expected to maintain at least the equivalent of a full time course load according to Appalachian State and the host university while abroad (whichever is greater). Each SIT program will have a different minimum credit requirement. For more information about study abroad enrollment policies, credit approval, and credit and grade conversions please visit the Academics section of our website.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and some programs may fill up before the listed deadline. Each year applications for Fall, Spring, and Summer will open up on August 1st. Once open the deadline will be listed below and an Apply Now button will be available at the top and bottom of this page. Most applications will have a 2 part application process so students are encouraged to complete their OIED application well before the listed deadline.
Students applying to a SIT program should complete the
SIT application while also completing the Appalachian application.
For more information about deadlines and how to apply please visit our
Guide Me web page.