Program Reviews

I was so lucky to be able to spend my summer in the beauty that is France. Leaving the country without anyone I knew was definitely scary but it was so rewarding. We got to see some of the most famous things in France such as the Eiffel Tower, the Mona Lisa, the Notre Dame, and the Arc de Triomphe. Seeing how the French lived their lives daily helped me adapt to the culture and although we did a lot of sightseeing we also got t experience the French life. We did this by shopping for our food in grocery stores or restaurants, navigating the Metro, and walking around and exploring. At first, it was scary but making friends made the experience more rewarding and fun. I would recommend applying for this program because it truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

PICKY EATING: Although I have no food allergies, I was a picky eater and was worried if I would be able to eat anything in a foreign country, but to my surprise everything just tasted so good that it didn't matter. Coming back to America, I've been able to get over most of my bad eating habits, and will eat almost anything now. (I also know that this may vary from person to person.)

MEETING AND MY GROUP: When I first arrived at the airport, it was difficult to socialize because I was nervous meeting the people that I have been looking forward to since I got the Group List. Some questions that popped into my head were, "What if they think I'm weird?" "Will I be able to get along with them within the month?" But, all my worries and stress was blown away in just a couple hours. They people that I traveled with had amazing talents, personalities, and opinions to share. I came to love everyone that I traveled with like they were family. I assume it was also partly because we were living in close proximity with each other and we would be the first and last thing we see and hear each day.

ARRIVAL & BRIEFING OF WHAT WE DID: When I first arrived to Japan, I was dying of the heat and humidity, but I believe on the third day I adjusted and got somewhat used to it. Our main mode of transportation was the train and our feet. I like to believe that I gained a lot of leg muscle from all the walking. We explore many districts in Tokyo, did a lot of shopping, ate/tried really good food, and met and conversed with Japanese people to the best of our abilities.

DAILY SCHEDULE: An average day for me during the program was waking up, getting ready (brushing, eating, etc.), and having a short meeting. We would then attend class, be guided around the district (or do an activity such as candy making or calligraphy), and be given free time to explore (in groups of at least 3) for the remainder of the time we were in the district. We would then head back to our accommodation and be given free time (after a debrief if there is one) to go wherever we wanted with in the boundaries that were set for us.

HOMESTAY: Everyone's host family experience is different, and for me I loved my host family. They were very sweet, understanding and patient. We spent as much time as we could together with just the 4 days we could stay ?. With my family, we cooked together and went to the park, aquarium/amusement park, and ramen museum. We would also relax in the living room with each other, talking and enjoying each other's company.

SCHOOL: When the itinerary said that we would be going to a Japanese High School it was nothing like how I imagine we would be doing it. I thought that we would be attending a class like normal, but instead we were welcomed by a committee made up of students who were really good at English. Their skills were definitely better than our skills in Japanese. We paired up with a buddy, and learned about each other school life through conversation and tours around the school.

OPINION: The experiences I had through this program was definitely unique and could not be replicated. I would like to encourage anyone who is interested to immerse themselves into another country's culture. I had such a great time that when I arrived back in America I wished that I was still in Japan. And, although it hasn't been too long since I got back I am still in contact with my host family and friends that I traveled with. So, although I miss seeing everyone in person I believe that it's not a "Goodbye forever", but a "Goodbye for now" and "See you soon."

During my Spain 3 week travel, I really felt that it irrevocably changed me for the future. For example, the amount of independence and confidence I gained is something that it didn't necessarily expect. From flying domestically by myself and navigating the streets of busy Spain, I was forced to be able to navigate independently and find my place in a foreign country. My host family was additionally very kind, and truly made me feel welcome in their home. The new Spanish friends that I made I still keep in contact with today, as they made an honest effort to make me feel included. Overall, I would definitely recommend this program to students who want a very new experience and to understand a culture different from their own.

At first I was so scared and nervous to go on this trip, but the people in my group changed that. The friends I made will be my friends forever, and the memories we created are unforgettable. Adjusting the French culture can be hard but since I wasn’t alone it was easier to with a bigger group of people. There was a lot of walking but sometimes you don’t feel it because your taking in everything, like views, and even the fact your in a whole new country with people you just met as a young highschool student.

This program was simply amazing! The team leaders were the best that I could have ever hoped for, and the other experimenters even more so. There can be a lot of free time to spend with your new found friends in the streets of Paris, and the host families are great. There also exists ways to change one's host family if there are problems, which I find is a great option for people who need it. I find that this program is quite accommodating to all.

I loved the people I met and the many activities that I got to experience. It is a once in a life time program that will be very worth it.

I spent the entire month of July participating in The Experiment's K-Culture and Peacebuilding program. I hadn't been on a plane since I was a toddler, and I'd never traveled without family before. Despite my tremendous excitement for the opportunity, I was also extremely anxious. It ended up being one of the best experiences of my life. Every participant and group leader was easy to connect with, and I feel I've formed incredible bonds. I was also able to achieve my goal of reconnecting with my language and culture, and I returned home feeling more worldly, knowledgeable, and sociable. With the help of The Experiment, I was able to take a trip I never would have been able to take on my own, experience incredible moments, and learn invaluable lessons. I will treasure the memories from this trip for a lifetime.

My experience during the Jordan: Arabic Language and the Middle East program was unforgettable. Jordan is such a magnificent country, full of beautiful wildlife, kind people, and lots of fun activities. I had an amazing time exploring the country, from hanging out at the malls and souks in Amman, to walking through the ruins of Jerash and Ajloun, swimming in the Red Sea and the Dead Sea, and wandering through Wadi Rum. All the while, I was able to practice the Arabic that I learned in Arabic class. We had classes around five times per week, and each class was full of engaging activities and games. We also had the opportunity to attend lectures relating to geopolitics, refugees, Islam, women's rights, and more. Each of these lectures helped us to learn more about our host country and its culture. However, I learned the most about culture through my wonderful host family! They really welcomed me like a true member of their family, and some of my best memories from the program are spending time with them - shopping, attending a wedding, and getting to know the extended family. I grew so much individually during this program and met many new friends from all around the world. I would recommend it to everyone as a chance to step outside of your comfort zone and try something new!

My experience during the Jordan: Arabic Language and the Middle East program was unforgettable. Jordan is such a magnificent country, full of beautiful wildlife, kind people, and lots of fun activities. I had an amazing time exploring the country, from hanging out at the malls and souks in Amman, to walking through the ruins of Jerash and Ajloun, swimming in the Red Sea and the Dead Sea, and wandering through Wadi Rum. All the while, I was able to practice the Arabic that I learned in Arabic class. We had classes around five times per week, and each class was full of engaging activities and games. We also had the opportunity to attend lectures relating to geopolitics, refugees, Islam, women's rights, and more. Each of these lectures helped us to learn more about our host country and its culture. However, I learned the most about culture through my wonderful host family! They really welcomed me like a true member of their family, and some of my best memories from the program are spending time with them - shopping, attending a wedding, and getting to know the extended family. I grew so much individually during this program and met many new friends from all around the world. I would recommend it to everyone as a chance to step outside of your comfort zone and try something new!

Upon beginning the program, there are many resources available for my family and I to get all the information I needed. Along with this, we had a personal online helper, which we could email about any questions – I definitely used that to my advantage. Applying for the program was fairly easy through their website. The in country staff was amazing and cooperative with the students along with my personal leaders who were very caring. I made many friendships with a variety of American and Spanish people. The immersion of culture was a quick paced environment, but enjoyable nonetheless. I was able to meet many residents of the village I stayed in, this helped me further my Spanish and push me out of my bubble. I was able to learn many new words and try a variety of different foods. I am so happy to have had this experience!

I recently participated in The Experiments "France: Cultural Discovery" program for 22 days (July 2 to July 24), and it was one of the best experiences I've had. I got to experience how much more there is to the world and experience different countries norms. It was a little confusing at first but I eventually learned to adapt. I got to learn how to be independent in a foreign country and got to experience living with a French family for a week. Meeting other students on the trip was also nice, because we had each other to depend on. My personal favorite experience was when we went kayaking because it helped develop bonds in our group. During the trip, we also got to visit Freiburg, Germany and go swimming near the Black Forest. The only thing I could wish for was if the trip lasted a little longer.