I did have SICP when I started undergrad, and I wish, and asked my professor why can't we use "something modern like python". He gave me some reasoning, and I wish I remember what it was. I think part of the problem is that there isn't enough of a "fun" or "excitement" component in SICP for a very many n00bs, which I was then. Python was cool. Perl was cool too. They're not terrible languages, but admittedly boggled down by syntax. Scheme had a "for education purposes rep" (many times propagated by professors themselves). And there was no "easy_install mechanize" or "easy_install pyqt" to start doing cool shit in Scheme (which I don't believe is true, but for whatever reason at that point it wasn't apparent this was even an option to me).
Overall, I had a lot more fun starting off with Python on my own time. I may have taken longer than most to come around and appreciate Scheme, and certainly find myself wishing JavaScript had less syntax. SICP is awesome though. In fact, I sold most of my books after I was done with university including that one. But maybe 3 or 4 years later, I ended up purchasing it again as I wanted to find classic Lisp literature. Only after it got delivered did I realize this was the same book. And this time around I did truly enjoy it. But I wish I remember what reasoning my professor gave for preferring Scheme over Python.
Overall, I had a lot more fun starting off with Python on my own time. I may have taken longer than most to come around and appreciate Scheme, and certainly find myself wishing JavaScript had less syntax. SICP is awesome though. In fact, I sold most of my books after I was done with university including that one. But maybe 3 or 4 years later, I ended up purchasing it again as I wanted to find classic Lisp literature. Only after it got delivered did I realize this was the same book. And this time around I did truly enjoy it. But I wish I remember what reasoning my professor gave for preferring Scheme over Python.