The ISP, or Independent Study Project, is written by students from the undergraduate programs of SIT Study Abroad and relates to a program theme. Using primary sources students choose topics with a manageable focus that can be carried out in a variety of settings, such as schools, nongovernmental organizations or field research stations. During the independent study period students work closely with a project advisor and other key contacts in the field. The ISP is typically a 20- to 40-page paper presented to student colleagues, the academic director and, often, the advisor and other interested host-country individuals.
Copyright permissions have been obtained by all contributors to this collection.
Submissions from 2017
What’s Food Got to Do With It?: The Host Mother’s Role in the Cultural Education of Students Studying Abroad in the Rabat Medina, Isabel Bonhomme, The College of Wooster
Pololeo y Protección: Las barreras de acceso a métodos anticonceptivos para adolescentes vulnerables en la comuna de Macul, Santiago de Chile / Pololeo y Protección: Barriers to access contraceptive methods for vulnerable adolescents in the district of Macul, Santiago de Chile, Louisa Boswell, Davidson College
Whiteness Under Pressure: Race, Masculinities, and the Negotiation of Power in a Transforming South Africa, Sarah Bradach, Washington University in St. Louis
Supermarket savvy: An analysis of psychological exploitation within grocery stores, Calvin Brinkworth, Washington University
Distribution, diversity, and den locations of Canidae and Hyaenidae species across habitat type at Enashiva Nature Refuge, Grace Bullington, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
El Comienzo de un Cuento: Los Desafíos de Promover la Lectura Infantil en Cochabamba / The Beginning of a Story: The Challenges of Promoting Children's Reading in Cochabamba, Cecilia Caro, Macalester College
Linguistic Imperialism in Jordan: The Impact of English Education Curriculum on Cultural Behaviors of Secondary Students in Amman, Haley Chatwin, Colorado State University
SYRIAN REFUGEES’ LIVED EXPERIENCES IN MOROCCO, Hannah Chenok, Colgate University
Assessing the Successes of and Challenges Facing Civil Society Organizations in South Africa, in Influencing Gender-Based Violence Policy, Sarah Connolly, Wesleyan University
The Roles of Activism and Citizen Science in the Area Covered by the East Gippsland Regional Forest Agreement, Ian Corbet, Washington University in St. Louis
When the Health System Fails You: Maternal Care Under Kenya’s 2017 Nurses' Strike, Tessa Coughtrey-Davenport, The George Washington University
Pasantía a la Oficina Comunal de Migrantes de la Municipalidad de Valparaíso / Internship to the Communal Office of Migrants of the Municipality of Valparaíso, Morgan Craig, Oregon State University
Getting Down to Cannabusiness: How to Proceed with Morocco’s Cannabis Industry & the Resulting Economic and Social Impacts, Laura David, Kenyon College
Pteropus voeltzkowi and the Understory: A Study of the Behavioral Impacts of the Pemba Flying Fox on the Vegetation and Soil Quality of Pemba Island, Lea Davidson, Macalester College
Language, Race, and Integration: A Comparative Exploration of the Sub-Saharan Migrant Experience in Morocco, Madeline Davison, Wellesley College
Ignorance is Bliss: The Impacts of International Travel and Education on Political Beliefs, Kyle Decker, Loyola University
Jabal al-weibdeh: a counter-memory of amman a case study in the resistance of memory, Gwendolyn Dilworth, University of Virginia
Decadal vegetation succession along a chronosequence within Eucalyptus obliqua wet forest, southern Tasmania, Christine Dobbin, Rice University
Tibetan Women’s Experiences with Childbirth: A Comparative Study of Present-Day Shangri-La and Previous Studies in Tibetan Communities, Billie Dunn-McMartin, Guilford College
a Danza de las Tijeras Continuidad Dinámica y Reivindicación de la Identidad Indígena Andina / Dance of the Scissors Dynamic Continuity and Reclamation of Andean Indigenous Identity, Cinthia Durán, Skidmore College
Betanzos: enfrentando el cambio climático \ Betanzos: Confronting Climate Change, Cody Eaton, Tufts University
Prevalence of Moniliophthora roreri in Theobroma cacao in relation to clone variety, community composition, environmental factors in an organic cacao farm in Charagre, Bocas del Toro, Panamá: A case study, Kara Eckberg, University of Minnesota
Una aproximación al proceso de construcción de la identidad cultural coreano-argentina en la Ciudad de Buenos Aires / An Approach to the Korean-Argentine Ethnic and Cultural Identity in the City of Buenos Aires, Hyeree Ellis, DePauw University
Women Who Surf in Morocco, Anna Esposito, Bates College
Environmental Education in Post-green Revolution Punjab, Qing Fan, Pomona College
A Companion to “Soulaliyate” Form Justification and Artistic Explanation, Rosalind Faulkner, Pamona College
A Comparative Case Study of American and Ugandan Refugee Policies, Anna Feins, Boston College
“Todavía nos falta”: Un análisis etnográfico del género y la clase social en un club deportivo barrial en el Sureste de la ciudad de Buenos Aires / "We still lack": An ethnographic analysis of gender and social class in a neighborhood sports club in the Southeast of the city of Buenos Aires, Alonso Fernández, Southwestern University
UNA INVESTIGACIÓN SOBRE LA PREVALENCIA DE LA LACTANCIA MATERNA / 62/5000 AN INVESTIGATION ON THE PREVALENCE OF BREASTFEEDING, Madeline Ferone, Emory University
¡El agua es nuestra! Pensar desde afuera del discurso de ‘público vs privado’ / The water is ours! Thinking from outside the 'public vs. private' speech, Julius Figueroa, Columbia University
Subversion and the State: Politics of Moroccan Hip-Hop and Rap Music, Grace Findlen-Golden, Vassar College
Czech Artivism: The Function of Activist Art in Czech Political Culture, Kristen Fontaine, Stonehill College
Sex work and compromised health: Health conditions and the barriers to accessing treatment services in Pelourinho, Salvador, Amelia Fox, University of Denver
Sí o No a la Carretera: Las distintas perspectivas geopolíticas en el debate sobre la carretera a través del TIPNIS / Yes or No to the Road: The different geopolitical perspectives in the debate on the road through the TIPNIS, Brigid Freed, Macalester College
La Militancia, el feminismo y la participación de poblaciones marginales: El estudio de la Asociación Civil Juana Azurduy / Militancy, feminism and the participation of marginal populations: The study of the Civil Association Juana Azurduy, Claudia Freeman, Washington University
Cultivating Peace through Teaching History in Rwandan Secondary Schools: Opportunities and Challenges, Brittany Fried, Georgetown University
¿Querías salir embarazada?: La cultura y la salud de las embarazadas en Puerto Bello / Did you want to get pregnant?: The culture and health of pregnant women in Puerto Bello, Jessie Malone Friedman, Whitman College
Utilization and Accessibility of Securinega Virosa for Medical Use in Morogoro Municipality, Sasha Friedrich, Harvey Mudd College
A Comparative Study of the Barriers to HIV Self-Management Among Myanmar Migrant and Han Chinese Women in Yunnan, China, Anna Gaden, Bates College
Prey naïveté and predator-prey interactions between Pterois volitans, Pomacentridae, and Tetraodontidae in two reefs in the Guna Yala Archipelago, Panama, Jesse Garrett-Larsen, College of Wooster
The Disappearance of Nyoman and Ketut, Laura Michelle Garvie, University of Maryland
Mental Illness Stigma, Socially Acceptable Treatment, and Barriers to Health, Frances Renee Gellert, Colorado College
¿Trabajando juntos? La dinámica de la relación entre movimiento estudiantil y movimiento docente de 2014-2015 / Working together? The dynamics of the relationship between student movement and teacher movement 2014-2015, Klielle Glanzberg-Krainin, Tufts University
Twisting the Tap: Water Scarcity and Conflict in the Euphrates-Tigris River Basin, Samantha Glass, Yale University
Monitoring Anuran Populations in Bosque Protector Candelaria: A multi-year comparison of frog populations in an Ecuadorian cloud forest, Mindee Goodrum, St. Michael's College
Health Literacy Skills of Aging Populations and Its Impact on the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Peter Gorman, DePauw University
¿Dónde está Santiago Maldonado? El uso del retrato y el activismo artístico para exigir la ' aparición con vida ' de los desapariciones forzadas en Argentina / ¿Dónde está Santiago Maldonado? The use of portraiture and artistic activism to demand for the ‘ aparición con vida ’ of the forcibly disappeared in Argentina, Emily Gresham Beamer, University of Washington
Counting Crabs: Assessment of Mangrove Crab Diversity and Density Among Three Sites in Ushongo, Tanzania, Clarasophia Gust, Occidental College
Small-Scale Farming of Sandfish (Holothuria scabra) at Unguja Ukuu, Zanzibar, Claire Hacker, Cornell University
When Knowledge Flows: A Case Study of Village Health Workers’ Motivations in Jamkhed, Selaem Hadera, Emory University
Losing Faith: An Exploration of Village Ponds in the Thar Desert, Pentti Hanlon, Dickinson College
Ethical Business Practice, Accountability, and Quality Assurance: Primary Drivers for Sustainable Tourism Development in Iceland, Abigail Harrison, Haverford College
Resilience of Romanian Institutions during the Global Gag Rule: 20012007, Sara Hayet, Lafayette College
Somos tierra floreciendo: El surgimiento de la literatura kichwa como herramienta política y cultural, Kaia Heimer-Bumstead, Smith College
"Ewondo in the Classes, French for the Masses." Mother-Tongue Education in Yaoundé, Cameroon., Parker Henry, Indiana University
Equity and Community-Based Health Insurance: How does insurance coverage affect health seeking behavior among disadvantaged groups in India?, Hazel Hering, Occidental College
Quality of Water in Relation to Diarrheal Disease Incidence in Obunga, Tianna Herman, Rhodes College
Cuba’s use of Medical Diplomacy: Establishing Global Significance and Influence, Juan Herzberg, Columbia University
Surveying the Distributions of Melaleuca quinquenervia, Psidium cattleianum, and Litsea glutinosa at Analalava Special Reserve, Hanusia Higgins, Washington University in St. Louis
The Role of NGOs As Intermediaries: Negotiating the Space Between Donors and Community Members, Mara Horn, Washington University in St. Louis
La valorización de la educación superior para estudiantes indígenas en Madre de Dios: Interrogando discursos y acciones del estado, la FENAMAD, y los estudiantes indígenas / The valorisation of higher education for indigenous students in Madre de Dios: Interrogating speeches and actions of the state, FENAMAD, and indigenous students, Sierra Houck, University of North Carolina
La música como una forma de educación: Canciones para Cambios Sociales / Music as a form of education: Songs for Social Changes, Di Hu, Colby College
Jordanian Public University Student Voter Participation in Parliamentary Elections, Sean Hyland, Franklin Marshall College
Regulating the Reguliers: How the Normalization of Gays and Lesbians in Dutch Society Impacts LGBTQ Nightlife, Laura Jacobs, Smith College
Staring Down Street Harassment: Women’s perspectives of street harassment in Tunisia, Aliya Jessa, Bowdoin College
Access to Information and Services Regarding Maternal Health and Healthcare Within Tribal Communities Around Udaipur, Rajasthan, Arista Jhanjee, Georgetown University
Shrimp Aquaculture in Aguadulce: Impacts on mangrove forest health and shrimp larvae populations in two sites on the Salado coastline, Nick Jickling, Hamilton College
The Writing on the Walls: Street art as a site of participation in discourse and a platform for voice in the Moroccan public sphere, Natalie Johnson, University of North Carolina
Bacteria Mitigation in Sponge Mariculture, Jambiani Zanzibar, Claire Johnston, Barnard College
Caring for caregivers: challenges facing informal palliative caregivers in Western Kenya, Hartlee Johnston, Davidson College
Las Consecuencias de la Propuesta No + AFP Una investigación de sus impactos en las pensiones, el mercado laboral y el sistema financiero / The Consequences of the Proposal No + AFP An investigation of its impacts on pensions, the labor market and the financial system, Henry Kapp, Hamilton College
Community Perception of the HIV Vaccine in Western Kenya: Acceptability, Potential Behavior Changes, and Views on Compulsory Vaccination, Deborah Keen, University of South Carolina
Ecological Succession on Neotropical Landslides: Comparing successional patterns of four different aged landslides in the Cerro Candelaria Reserve, Nace Keifer, Whitman College
Formalizing Through Finances: A Case Study with UNICS, Leah Kellenberger, The George Washington University
Eco-Anxiety at University: Student Experiences and Academic Perspectives on Cultivating Healthy Emotional Responses to the Climate Crisis, Anna Kelly, University of Colorado at Boulder
Tourism in Raja Ampat: New Chances and Challenges, Chloe King, The George Washington University
The effects of thermal stress on fluorescent protein expression in an Indo-Pacific scleractinian coral species, Acropora tenuis, Anna Knochel, Rice University
A Study of Reptile Community Diversity Related to Habitat Characteristics at Marojejy National Park, Julia Kowala, The College of Wooster
The Taxonomy, Reproduction, and Distribution of Rare Plants: A Study of Magnolia sp. in the Río Zuñac Reserve, Ecuador, Alyssa Kullberg, Colby College
At the Intersection of History, Diplomacy, and Domestic Affairs: Vietnam’s Difficult Position in the South China Sea Dispute, Michael Lanin, Skidmore College
Picture This: The role of digital storytelling in motivating donations towards refugee relief, Mitra LeBuhn, University of Oregon
Barriers to the Diffusion of Renewable Energy Technology in Mongolia Lee, Madeline Academic Director: Sanjaasuren, Ulziijargal Claremont McKenna College International Relations Mongolia: Ulaanbaatar, Darkhan, Salkhit, Hatgal Nomadism, Geopolitics, and the Environment SIT Study Abroad Spring, Madeline Lee, Claremont McKenna College
Munnar Plantation Strike, 2015: a Case Study of Keralan Female Tea Workers’ Fight for Justice, Shoshana Levy, Barnard College
ASEAN and the South China Sea: Approaches to Resolving the Conflict, Jennifer Jie Li, Harvard University
Exploring Rwanda's Continuing Education Capacity for Information Communications Technology (ICT) Skills, Li Keen Lim, Northwestern University
Understanding Sanitation Preferences: An Exploratory Study in the Sirohi District of Rajasthan, Karen Mac, Santa Clara University
HIV Harm Reduction Methods: A Comparison Between Switzerland and the United States, Erin Major, Davidson College
Colonización, Globalización, Descolonización: Cambiar la Forma en que los Bolivianos Piensan sobre Cuestiones LGBT / Colonization, Globalization, Decolonization: Changing the Way Bolivians Think About LGBT Issues, Courtney Manning, Bolivia: Multiculturalism, Globalization, and Social Change
Carbon Sequestration in the Cloud Forest: A Comparative Evaluation of Aboveground Biomass Carbon Stock Potential in the Río Guajalito Reserve, Elli Mapstone, Colby College
Challenges and Successes of Adolescent Reproductive Healthcare and Education in Cachoeira, Bahia, Brazil, Elana Margosis, Rice University
Women of Leh Town, Ladakh: An Overview of Perceptions of Health, Health-Seeking Behaviors, and Access to Health Care, Sophia Marion, Bates College
An Analysis of Positive Coping Mechanisms Utilized to Overcome Trauma in Post-Genocidal Rwanda, Danielle Marvin, The University of Iowa
Developed Toast, Modern Laundry: Nepali Household Appliance Discourses, Maureen McCord, Wellesley College
Water Injustice in Jendouba Governorate, Wilder McCoy, University of South Sewanee
Reaching for the Heart: An Analysis of Language as a Weapon of Empathy For Three Capetonians, Sarah McDonald, Cornell University
Transmitiendo la Identidad: Revalorización Sociopolítica del Kichwa por los Medios de Comunicación \ Transmitting Identity: Sociopolitical Revaluation of the Kichwa by the Media, Abi McDougal, Rice University
A Review of 57 Zone: A social media network for TB consultation and communication in Kunming, China, India Medaris, Macalester College