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 2018
An Overview of Psychological Barriers to Climate Change Response and Their Implications for Improved Climate Change Communication, Ari Katz, Haverford College
Rebuilding Tunisia, One Artist at a Time, Caitlin Kelley, Oberlin College
“Sanarnos para sanar el mundo”: Un estudio de mujeres activistas contra el extractivismo y los poderes curativos de terapia social / "Heal us to heal the world": A study of women activists against extractivism and healing powers of social therapy, Alisha Kendrick-Pradhan, Davidson College
Renegado: Immigrant Identities and Aspirations of White Muslim Converts in Morocco, Paul Williamson Kiefer, Pomona College
Sans-Papiers, Sans-Santé: A Study of Undocumented Migrant Women’s Access to Reproductive and Obstetric Health Care in Switzerland, Sarah Kinch, Washington University in St. Louis
El género y la sexualidad como herramientas coloniales: lo que significa ser epupillan (dos-espíritu) en contextos mapuche / Gender and sexuality as colonial tools: what it means to be epupillan (two-spirit) in Mapuche contexts, Sophia Knowlton-Latkin, Scripps College
Somos todos juncos y Mapuches / We are all reeds and Mapuches, Jonah Kone, University of Puget Sound
Community in All Education, Sophia Vancer Kooy, Hope College
The Mountain Stands: An Autoethnographic Inquiry into Zulu Christians' Approaches to Spiritual Health, Makayla Lagerman, Bucknell University
SILENT KILLERS: DIABETES AND THE ACTIVE IGNORANCE OF NONCOMMUNICABLE DISEASE IN BALI, Madeleine Lambert, Georgetown University
La Lengua de Señas: Potencial y Poder en la Transición de un Enfoque Médico a la Perspectiva Socio-Antropológica de Niños Sordos / Sign Language: Potency and Power in the Transition from a Medical Approach to the Socio-Anthropological Perspective of Deaf Children, Noah Lanckton, University of Vermont
“To Save Succeeding Generations from the Scourge of War”: An examination of United Nations Peace Keeping and Support Provided by External Actors, Jack Lashendock, Gettysburg College
The Contributing Factors to Adolescent Depression, Josie H. Lee, University of Michigan
Missing Youth: The Absence of the Young Moroccan Voice in the Nation, Reid Leiter, University of Denver
Partidarios de la vida: Resiliencia en los afectados directos de la dictadura en Arica, Chile / Supporters of life: Resilience in the direct victims of the dictatorship in Arica, Chile, Danielle Levinson, Wesleyan University
Fish diversity and distribution in the seagrass-coral reef continuum at two sites off the western coast of Isla Bastimentos, Bocas del Toro, Panama, Kathy Liu, Scripps College
Growing a Garden of Healthy Masculinities: Combating Homophobia in the Imagine Project Workshops, Mia Lloyd, Smith College
A Catalog of Orchid Species and Their Distribution in Mazumbai Forest Reserve, Tanga Region, Tanzania, Sierra Loomis, Williams College
The Ecology of the Usambara Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris usambaricus), Sarah Lueder, Tulane University
La influencia del quechua en el castellano de la isla de Taquile / The influence of Quechua in the Castilian of the island of Taquile, Gianna Macri, Rochester College
The Poetics of Power The role of women’s writing in the Moroccan Education System, Eli Makovetsky, Brown University
Patrones de depredación de orugas con colores crípticos y aposemáticos / Caterpillar depredation patterns with cryptic colors and aposematics, Jacqueline Maldonado, Brown University
Se necesita un pueblo para criar a un niño: El desplazamiento de los hijos de Cochabamba, Bolivia / A village is needed to raise a child: The displacement of the children of Cochabamba, Bolivia, Julia Mancini, George Washington University
PUBLIC SECRETS & PRIVATE IDENTITY: A Look into Lesbi Lives in Bali, Kara Marler, Lewis and Clark College
When Packaged Food Pollutes our Body and Earth: Plastic Packaged Food Consumption and Waste Disposal Practices in the Himalayas, Jared Marsh and Jessica Shalvey
Mental Maps, Occupation... Liberation? The Impact of the Israel-Palestine Conflict on the Security and Legitimacy of the State of Israel and the Struggle of Palestine, Malea Martin, Claremont McKenna College
“Religion is Religion; My Life is My Life”: Religious Influences on Family Planning Decisions in Kapchorwa District, Uganda, Sarah Mathys, Georgetown University
Blooming Mountains of Biodiversity: An Investigation of Angiosperms on Cerro Mayordomo, Tungurahua, Ecuador, Ella Matsuda, Rice University
SEARCHING FOR A BRIGHTER TOMORROW: AN INTERNSHIP WORKING TOWARD THE ALLEVIATION OF ENERGY POVERTY THROUGH SOLAR POWER AND SEARCH-ENGINE CROWDFUNDING, Meaghan McElroy, Ithaca College
La Calidad del Agua y el Impacto en la Salud Pública: Un examen a las fuentes del agua en la Amazonia cerca de Puyo, Ecuador y la salud de las comunidades indígenas / Water Quality and the Impact on Public Health: An examination of water sources in the Amazon near Puyo, Ecuador and the health of indigenous communities, Mary Kathryn McGregor, Wofford College
Articulación y apoyo del programa de los Agentes Sanitarios de Mendoza: de la teoría a la práctica / Coordination and support in Mendoza’s Community Health Worker program: from theory to practice, Kelly McHugh, Pomona College
Women’s Movement: Traveling Nepal, Shaelyn McHugh, University of California - Santa Barbara
Cuando la vida era tranquila: Land use and livelihood changes following the construction of the Chan 75 dam in Nance del Risco, Bocas del Toro, Patrick McKenzie, University of South Carolina
The Viability of Community Composting at the Melbourne Food Hub, Bailey McNeill, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
The Aftermath of War: Improving Psychosocial Measures to Address Trauma in Child Refugees in the Schengen Zone, Nivedha Meyyappan, Indiana University Bloomington
Schooling Silence: Sexual Harassment and its Presence and Perception at Uganda’s Universities and Secondary Schools, Elena Mieszczanski, The George Washington University
Espacios de poder: percepciones de la representación política de las mujeres en Tapacarí, Cochabamba y La Paz / Spaces of power: perceptions of the political representation of women in Tapacarí, Cochabamba and La Paz, Margaret Mischka, Macalester College
What to Expect When You’re Expecting: The Impacts China’s Maternal and Child Health Care Law has had on Tibetan Birthing Practices In the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Hannah Mishriky, Saint Michael’s College
Women in Parliament: A Study of Issue-Specific Female Coalition Building in Morocco, Lura Morton, University of Puget Sound
Black Gold in a Changing World: An examination of Saudi Arabia’s dependence on oil and the possibility of a solar energy transition, Sofia Mouritsen, Gettysburg College
Development of Health Rehabilitation in Mainland China: From Traditional Chinese Medicine to Modern Western Rehabilitation Methods, Michelle Moy, University of Illinois at Chicago
MONEY SPEAKS: EDUCATION, AWARENESS AND FACING DEVELOPMENT IN RASUWA, Ariel Murray, Smith College
"Prescribed to Fuck Off": Examining the Role of Heterosexual White Men in South Africa from the Perspective of Seven Students at the University of Cape Town, Meagan Murray, Villanova University
What Lies in the Gray: Creative Analytic Pieces on the Formation and Evolution of Beliefs in Masxha, Robin Mwai, University of Wisconsin-Madison
The Impact and Effectiveness of Life Orientation on Six Students at The University of Cape Town, Sydney Nathan, Skidmore College
Discutiendo desde el interior: La marginación de los hombres trans dentro del movimiento por el aborto legal en Argentina / Arguing from within: The Marginalization of Trans Men within the Movement for Legal Abortion in Argentina, Olivia Nichols, Brandeis University
“Siempre se pierde con la modernización”: Patrimonio histórico y economía cultural en el Mercado San Telmo / “One Always Loses with Modernization”: Historical Heritage and the Cultural Economy and the Mercado San Telmo, Madeline Ninno, Tulane University
Let’s Talk Takataka: Impacts of Plastic in the Stone Town Harbor Area, Zanzibar, CJ O’Brien, California Lutheran University
Pearl Lagoon's White Lobster: The Societal, Economic, Political and Autonomous Effects, Rafely Palacios, Emory University
Integration of plastic recycling within a smaller community: Reducing Plastic Pollution in the Environment, Olivia Palenscar, Scripps College
Addressing Extreme Vulnerability: Remaining Barriers to Neonatal Healthcare Delivery in Conflict Areas, Olivia Palmer, Boston College
PARENTS AND EDUCATORS OF A SPECIAL SCHOOL: THEIR PERSPECTIVES ON INCLUSIVE EDUCATION FOR PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME IN NAVI MUMBAI, INDIA, Jennifer Peterson, George Washington University
Robotic Reflection: An Exploration of Humanity Through the Bodies of Sex Robots, Audrey Pope, Vanderbilt University
AN EXAMINATION OF PERCEPTION GAPS IN EDUCATIONAL ACCESS FOR SYRIAN REFUGEES IN AMMAN, Ramya Prabhakar, Johns Hopkins University
Terrorist Radicalization and International Security: A Crisis of Masculinity and Gender, Moiz Rehan, Williams College
RACI (Red Argentina para la Cooperación Internacional): La cooperación internacional en el contexto de las organizaciones de la sociedad civil en Argentina / RACI (Argentine Network for International Cooperation): International cooperation in the context of civil society organizations in Argentina, Juno Rettenmier, Rice University
Abundance, density, and influencing indicators of solid waste accumulation and mitigation solutions along coastlines on Isla Colón in Bocas del Toro Province, Panamá, Andy Rhodes, Skidmore College
Sacred Springs: Perceptions of Religion and Water in Village Communities of Uttarakhand, Juliet Risko, Dickinson College
El estado “ingobernable” La relación entre usos y costumbres, la migración, el “progreso” / The "ungovernable" state The relationship between uses and customs, migration, "progress", Rosario Rivera, Lafayette College
Water Capacity of Paramo Soils, Rafael Robert, DePauw University
What Does It Mean to Respect One’s Mother? A Narrative Approach Exploring Maternal Respect Through the Perspectives of Zulu Mothers And Their Children, Sarah Robertson, Tulane University
Take a Seat: A Critical Analysis of the Evolving Role of Women in Morocco’s Parliamentary Parties, Grayson Rost, University of Virginia
Paradigmas del desarrollo urbano en Cuenca: abordando los procesos de segregación, marginación y desplazamiento / Paradigms of urban development in Cuenca: addressing the processes of segregation, marginalization and displacement, Sarah Rothschild, Whitman College
Perceptions of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Western Society: A Focus Study on Switzerland, Sandra B. Saldana, Hamilton College
Repatriation of Rwandan Returnees In Kigali: Integration of those Born and Raised on Exile as a Result of the 1959 Violence Wave, Cristina Taulet Sanchez, Davidson College
Looking Beyond Primary: A Study of Barriers to Secondary Education in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, Uganda, Chloe Schalit, Georgetown University
Kisumu County Hospital Patient Demographic Analysis: Looking Toward Universal Health Coverage, Lauren Scheffey, University of Richmond
Las barreras que enfrentan las personas Indígenas con Discapacidades en una Comunidad Rural de Paucartambo, Perú / The barriers what face the people Indigenous people with Disabilities in a Community Rural from Paucartambo, Peru, Julia Scolapio, George Washington University
Dolpopa, Yvette Segan, Vassar College
Barriers to the Elimination of Plastic in Single Use Beverage Containers in Byron Bay, NSW, Katherine Senechal, Colby College
Are We There Yet, Impact Investing?, Manqi Shi, Southern Methodist University
Nature and Nomads: Service Approach to Mongolia Tours, Jesse E. Shircliff, Gettysburg College
Sitios de Memoria: una comparación analítica entre los espacios de memoria y Derechos Humanos en Buenos Aires y en Santiago / Sites of Memory: an analytical comparison between memory and human rights spaces in Buenos Aires and Santiago, Henry Shuldiner, Hamilton College
Cherchant Toujours la Paix: Le Systeme Endogene de la Resolution des Conflits à Batoufam, Becky Sigman, Saint Anselm College
Frank Thoughts: Investigating the Construction of Anne Frank as a Site of Heritage and Identity Formation in a Globalized PostHolocaust Society, Sarah Silverstein, Franklin and Marshall College
Thangka Painting: An Exploration of Tibetan Buddhism Through Art, Hannah Slocumb, Harvey Mudd College
Mind Control in the Post-Colonial State: The Impact of Foreign Direct Investment in tertiary education in Senegal and Jamaica, Janiel Chantae Slowly, Bucknell University
A Glimpse into Amazighophone Technology Usage An example of the results of short-term ethnography, Garrison Smith, Connecticut College
"Waste Is Not Just Waste Anymore": Deconstructing the Relationship between Sustainable Waste Prevention and Individual Socio-Demographic Characteristics (The Juxtaposition of Ushongo Mtoni Village and Moshi Urban, Tanzania), Mahalia Smith, The George Washington University
A Comparative Tree Survey of Disturbed and Primary Forest Areas: Ngezi-Vumawimbi Nature Forest Reserve, Pemba Island, Skyler Smith, Colorado State University
LGBTI+ Language and Understandings in Nepal: Creating Spaces and Forging Identities, Patrick Sonnenberg, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
The Changing Tide of Corporate Social Responsibility, Conor Soucy, Stonehill College
Trust, Access, and Adaptation to Needs: The Role of Community-Based Promoters in Health Insurance Delivery in Gujarat, India, Lauryn Stafford, University of Washington
Perceptions and physical realities of flood risk in Cerro Punta, Chiriquí, Panamá, Julia Stanganelli, University of Virginia
Over a Cup of Tea and Koko Sāmoa, Elizabeth Stanis
Examining the factors shaping the population structure of Thalassoma bifasciatum in the Lemon keys, Guna Yala, Panama, Nicole Stevens, Johns Hopkins University
The Challenges of India’s Rising Breast Cancer Epidemic, Brigette Stickney, Dickinson College
“Because This Land is Free” A Historical Perspective on Poverty, Settlement, and Conservation in the Lubigi Swamp, Adele Stock, Mount Holyoke College
Land Rights of African Indigenous Groups: International Instruments and Main Issues, Anastasia Strouboulis, University of Maryland
Church and State: The Impact of Christianity on South African Politics during and Post-Apartheid, Calista Struby, Trinity University
Tribal Law at the Crossroads of Modernity: A Study on Jordanian Attitudes towards Jalwa, Danielle Sutton
The Impact of Foreign Involvement on Political Reform Organizations in Jordan, Sravya Tadepalli, University of Oregon