The Experiment in International Living Reviews

I knew my trip to Ecuador would be unforgettable the moment we met at the airport. Everyone was so friendly and caring that we didn’t have a single argument the entire trip. Honestly, we were just too busy enjoying ourselves to let anything get in the way. Ecuador is an incredibly beautiful country, full of wildlife. One thing we noticed, throughout the trip, was that there were stray dogs everywhere. But we were told to avoid them because they could carry diseases. The hike we did was also perfect, full of breathtaking views and a great time

This program was so fun, it was definitely a change from being home and sleeping in LOL. I got to see so many sights I've been dreaming about since I was a kid like the Colosseum and Sistine Chapel! I loved my homestay experience and family, they were so kind and funny! I loved making friends here as well and learning about Italian culture with them while also learning about where they come from. Culinary training was so fun, we got our own uniforms that we took home! We spent much time in the kitchen, preparing and cooking food as well as eating it. Yum!

This was the experience of a lifetime! Not only did I get to learn all about the Costa Rican culture, try new foods, and volunteer, I also met a lot of amazing people. This experience was very fun because there were many excursions provided- I got to go on a catamaran tour during sunset, go snorkeling, see monkeys, observe a turtle arrival, and more! The people I met on this trip were also the highlight. They were kind and like-minded people who were just as committed as me to learning about the culture of Costa Rica.

I loved this experience. From the group to the leaders to each city we visited, the immersive nature of this trip always hit us with surprises and adventure. My favorite part was waking up early in the morning to catch so many turtles nesting at the beach. It was so cool to be so close to such beautiful creatures, and I think it sums up the experience pretty well: immersing yourself in nature, learning by doing, and soaking in the beauty of the plants, animals, and culture of Costa Rica every day.

My experience in Ghana was a once in a lifetime experience. While getting to experience a new culture, I also got to make memorable connections with 9 of the other students on the trip. Being in a different country as a teenager without your family is hard, but the people that I was surrounded with on the trip made it so much easier to adjust. As soon as we got there we were immersed into Ghana's rich history and culture. It was super fun to learn fun facts about the country and how Ghana first gained its independence. We tried new foods, went to many museums and cultural sites, explored the rainforest, went on hikes, and walked through the bustling streets of Accra. I am so grateful that I had the chance to experience Ghana with EIL. I will never forget how monumental this trip was to my self discovery and overall growth as a high school student.

This experience was really fun, beyond my expectations. There was so much I got to do in the country within a short period of time. The reason I would pick this program again is because there is still more to explore within the country and other opportunities that I didn't get to be a part of/do because of the short time.

I made a lot of friends and also got to explore a whole different place I never knew I would have gone to if it wasn't for the program. It was definitely worthwhile. My favorite part is the amazing people I met and the impact they have had on me and this experience.

The leaders and teachers were also a great part of the experience they were very kind and understanding people. They also did not feel like authority and were relaxed, friendly and open minded people. They also made sure were were doing fine mentally and physically.

Though I am more on the shy side, this program made me very comfortable and made me feel like I could be myself and not have to worry about anything. My group felt like family and I really don't have any cons from this trip. My host family was very kind, helpful and generous. My internship was quite informative and helped me learn different things and how they are run in different countries. The food was amazing and the program leaders were very kind and protective. If I were to rate this trip, it would be a 9/10.

This past July I had the opportunity to take part in the 2023 South Korea immersion program by the experiment and it was a blast. We went to a variety of places ranging from Seoul shopping centers to museums and temples and traditional markets in Gwangju. Each day was jam packed with new activities and new international friends. The group dynamic was really comforting and the staff always supported us. This program also focuses on the growth of an individual and for me i’ve grown immensely. This trip really gave its students a sense of independence like going to the laundry mat to do our own laundry or hanging out with friends in an area of the city for a few hours. All of this independence led up to our free day where I met up with international friends I had met throughout the month. I learned about Korea’s dark history, their gorgeous scenery, and immersed myself into the language and trying to speak it. Although this trip was only a month, the memories I made will last a lifetime <3

I liked the experience and the opportunity to go to France and see all the famous things I've always wanted to see. Like the Mona Lisa, Eiffel Tower, arc de Triomphe, and more! I even had my sweet 16 there and had a great time. Except I feel it could have been better if I was more informed by the leaders on the downsides like all the pickpocketing going on in Paris. Because of that, I became a victim of it and I got my phone stolen by a random person during the first few days of the trip while I went out to eat for lunch and I wasn't with the leaders. After that, the leaders and some of the kids tried their best to help but all they could do was report it to the police, they didn't do anything about it and I never got my phone back. The leaders helped me buy a temporary phone but still, It was a traumatizing experience and it spoiled my trip to the point, that I just wanted to go home but I couldn't. After that, I went to my homestay family with a lady I lived with for 10 days. She was alright but the whole time I felt like she didn't like me. After the 10 days ended I went to Switzerland it was beautiful and I loved the country but during that people started being weird. I was with a group of girls and a random guy came up to us and tried to take us to go out with him. Another kid got slapped in the face by a random guy while the leaders were there and everyone witnessed it and got scared. I started to have problems with the other students and they would just either ignore me or just be straight rude to me even though I was nice to everyone. So I didn't want to be in any group and just wanted to explore on my own but I got in trouble for that because when we are out in the country we have to be in a group of at least 3 because the leaders aren't always with us. On the last day, we were back in Paris and It was time to go to the fair and go souvenir shopping but the kids and leaders didn't want me in their group and a girl even yelled at me because I tried to go with her group. so I missed out on the fair and just stayed in the hotel room and cried because my experience was so bad. But then I texted the group chat we had and one of the leaders took me from the hotel and took me to go to a restaurant everyone was in and eat dinner and go souvenir shopping so I felt better. That was the trip for me and I loved the opportunity to see those countries and have by sweet 16 in Paris. but the experience itself could have been better.

I was interested in all the activities provided and I genuinely did enjoy my time in Korea. The adults supervising us were extremely respectful and helpful and the children in my group were also likeable and I am glad I got to share this experience with them. If I had to add anything, I would have to say the day we got to truly experience the culture and wear hanboks was my absolute favorite. The food was amazing and the demographic was even better. My entire experience was positive. I would say this changed me in a way where I would actually like to spend my future doing things revolving around peacebuilding internationally.