Program Reviews

This is a very great experience for students who wish to see a very different world: Europe. Things are very different when you get to stay with a host family who will for sure be a good match for you. They get to teach you about the French culture, music, and food. The whole program is full of things that are first experiences for you which is amazing. Traveling alone is important by itself for teenagers to get to know what being alone in a country feels like. The only advise I would give is to make sure you go on applications like Duolingo and learn basic French phrases after getting accepted to the program; it will save you a lot of time and effort. In addition, make sure that you talk about your daily life in the letter that goes to your family. You should write this letter as honestly as possible so you get matched with a family who you will be a good fit for.

Being able to go to Japan, through The Experiment, was one of the most life-changing experiences of my life. The Experiment offers a safe space to explore your interests individually while still supporting every aspect of your journey. Before The Experiment, I had never traveled in my life. Going to Japan for the first time seemed scary, but all the traditions and activities this program allows you to explore abroad help you not miss home, and feel comfortable even when you're across the world! Additionally, all the people you meet on the way from the students to the locals are people you will never forget. The students are open-minded and have the same drive to explore and learn as you do! My Group Leaders were extremely hard-working and really cared about the well being of their students. This experience really left me feeling like a matured student.

I am incredibly grateful that I received the opportunity to further my academic interests, see more of the world, and meet amazing new friends through the Experiment's Germany program. There are several experiences from the program that stand out. As someone who has long admired Angela Merkel's leadership and transition from a chemist to German chancellor, seeing her office in the Reichstag Building was surreal. In Luxembourg, the tour guide took us to the European Court of Justice and showed us the work locations of EU translators. Being able to stand so close to these pivotal centers of European politics was inspiring, to say the least. Additionally, the workshops were thought-provoking and interesting. One particularly powerful workshop that we attended was in the city of Passau. Mo, a refugee who had fled Syria, spoke of attempting to raise awareness about the atrocities that occurred during the Syrian war, his experiences in prison, and his ultimate escape across the Mediterranean Sea to Germany.
Apart from the many things I learned, I will forever cherish the wonderful people I met on the trip. First, my host family, who kindly took me into their home and spent several nights talking to me about life philosophies, politics, and our love of cats. Secondly, several individuals in my group who brought me out of my shell and who I look forward to staying in contact with.
July 2019 passed in a blur, but many of my most wonderful memories will come from this month. I hope The Experiment continues to bring world learning to young adults!

I believe that the experience is always full of surprises, all you have to be is open-minded and everything will go smoothly. I enjoyed the friendships that I have created along the trip, I thought it was special that everyone was themselves and didn't create a certain persona to feel more liked or appreciated. It's also important to know that individuals shouldn't force themselves upon others if it seems that the relationship between another individual isnt working cooperatively it's okay to not force yourself fon anyone else. Also, the culture was of great beauty, the people, the animals, the plants, the biodiversity, and the lifestyles were so interesting to observe, and being accepted so openly allowed the participant to feel even more comfortable.

I can't stress enough how wonderful of an experience I had. Before leaving, I didn't want to have any expectations, and I am glad I didn't. I went into the trip with an open mind and got so much from it. I was introduced to 17 other people (including two group leaders) that made the experience beautiful. Our time in India was eye-opening and filled with indispensable lessons about ourselves, each other, and the beautiful people and earth around us. Our trek to the other side of the world, despite being tearful, painful, and tiresome, has left us with beautiful marks that will never leave us.

The blend of narratives and identities of all of us, including our leaders, added to the way we absorbed the experience; we all contributed in our uniquest of ways. We cried together, laughed until we cry, and most importantly, pushed through the challenges as a unit. Among these low points were having to ride an overnight train, battling homesickness, and living amongst tropical bugs and animals in a rural village.

However, our battles were made close to insignificant after the countless moments that made everything worth the struggle. We danced and sang in colorful dresses with schoolchildren, shared intimate moments over dinner with local village families, received the warmest of welcomes from the people of the Baraich and Tharu tribe villages, and simply enjoyed nature and the company of the beautiful people around us.

For many of us, our metropolitan lives are close to the opposite of the lives of people we have been honored to meet. Nonetheless, it has been made evident that our souls reflect the same light: one of immense curiosity and love for those to whom we felt so different from.

The journey has made us thankful for what we have at home. It was an eye-opener to see how a civilization can thrive without the things we deemed necessary in order to live. Thus, we also adapted some of the lifestyles that we encounter. Our complaints have become almost nonexistent while our eagerness to go further beyond barriers of differences has increased.

We all felt privileged and overjoyed to have been sharing the same space and time on this earth, and holding each other up through all of it. We have been touched by the open arms of India and it’s beautiful faces all throughout.

As far as safety and accommodations, we were very well taken care of, from physical health to mental health. We had to check in with group leaders to make sure we were processing and feeling okay. Lodging was always up to liveable standards, and the wonderful staff is always careful to make food that is less likely to upset our stomachs.

Goutam Gi and Archna Gi, the in-country leaders, are some are the most wonderful people I have ever met in my life. They will care for you like children. Learn from them as much as possible, they have so much wisdom to impart.

“I felt so loved and appreciated by people who did not even know me. This clarified so many things in my life and made me a better person in many different ways“ – anonymous entry from our group journal.

“My eyes are opened more and more each time to the vastness of India. No matter how much time I spent here I find myself increasingly confused – a never-ending collection of people, stone, cultures, languages, and lands. But isn’t home the same way?” – Anonymous entry from the group journal

Never did I ever think I would have the opportunity to cook in Italy!! It was so much fun, I ate more pizza, pasta, and gelato than I can count. Each place we visited: Rome, Cortona, Florence, Cosenza, Asti, and Venice, we all beautiful and all different from each other. I never got tired of eating the food and comparing ti from place to place! My favorite part of the trip was definitely homestay. Meeting people my age and seeing the differences and commonalities we shared were great! My host family was wonderful and I adore them all so much ! Experiencing a different culture opened my eyes to what I was missing in my life, and that I do need to travel the world and make multiple stops in Italy! I would do this program again if I could.

My trip to South Africa was one of the best experiences of my life. It was my first time ever traveling and even with all my frights and emotions, I was able to make it. I had a very supportive group that made sure I was alright no matter what. Even when I felt uncomfortable, I didn’t feel forced to do all the activities and everything went at my pace. My favorite part of the trip was the homestay, I got to meet my new family and learn all about their culture. We did everything together as a family and it made me feel like I was very much at home. My goal for this trip was to come home more vocal. Before my trip, I would shy away from people and not be vocal with the important things that I have to say. But after coming home, I am very much aware of the power that a everyone’s voice has no matter what!

Going to India was always a dream of mine, but actually being there was such a great feeling. I had the time of my life while I was there and I met some of the most genuine people ever. Everyone was so welcoming and uplifting, I felt so comfortable around everyone. India was very beautiful and I had the best time ever. I had the opportunity to visit villages where I was able to see how people who did not have much were still happy with their lives and welcomed us into their homes and families for the short periods of time that we were in those villages. Being able to interact with the local people and their families especially the babies was the best part of the entire trip.
I was not only able to interact with native Indian people but also Tibetan people as well. While in India, I felt like everywhere I went the people I met soon became like family quickly.

Great trip! One huge highlight was the group; I couldn't have asked for a better one. They made everything so much more fun. Snorkeling in the Galapagos was unbelievable, as well as the atmosphere and staff on the boat we stayed on. Our tour guide was amazing, always happy to give long (in a good way) answers to side questions. The home-stay was also a highlight. My host family had radically different political and religious views than I did, which, while it was uncomfortable, was also valuable to experience. I got to go hit the town with my eighteen year old host sister and her friends, which was really special (not to mention a complete blast) because it was insane to see people across the globe doing something similar to what I might do with MY friends on a Saturday night.

One thing I will say is that this was definitely a touristy trip. If you're looking to really push your limits and/or be completely immersed in a new culture, this probably isn't the one for you. It felt like we touched the surface on a lot, from the history of Quito to the indigenous people of the Amazon, but we didn't really go into enough depth on anything that I felt like I really understood the whole subject. But it was still cool!

Life-changing. Though I sound dramatic when I say this, I am definitely not exaggerating. I have met some of the best people on the trip and I have also been able to experience China from a whole new perspective. I have experienced living in a yurt and in rural villages where the pavements are illuminated from the stars. Gone was the glimmering lights of Beijing and the magnificent building that would prod into the sky in Shanghai, I was experiencing the other part of China that most people wouldn't even think about. On this trip, I have learnt that the majority of China's population lives in rural areas. They ate simple foods, slept on the hardest beds, and lived simple lives. Being a part of this experiment has allowed me to experience this rural living; being a city girl myself.
And of course, we did other touristy things as well. Such as exploring The Great Wall Of China, Forbidden City, Temple Of Heaven and many other places. On the trip, I rode a camel for the first time - it hurt. But nevertheless, absolutely worth it. I remember loving trains...well till I came on this trip. I rode a total of 3 overnight trains. Maybe even 4? I've lost count. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adored the experience but It's safe to say that I've had my fair share of trains for a while. Being a Chinese-Malaysian, I somewhat knew what I was signing up for but I was still shocked at some of the difference. I remember in Chengde, on the very first day with my host family they served me silkworms. Now let me tell you something about myself, I absolutely loathe bugs and insects, they make my skin crawl. However, not wanting to be rude, I tried it out. Was it worth it? No. But did I step out of my comfort zone and try something new? Yes. My host family in both the urban and rural communities were amazing. They treated me as one of their own and it was sweet. I even had some 'step-siblings' to care for and play with! Now, I can go on for ages about how much I love this trip but it would require me to write a book. All jokes aside, what I most enjoyed about this trip was experiencing China from the perspective of a tourist and a local. Understanding that most of China still lives in rural communities made me realise how lucky I am to be born into a city. Being able to live amongst the locals, eat their home-cooked meals was so special to me. Would I suggest this trip? Absolutely. Not only do you discover China, but you also tend to discover parts of yourself too and learn new skills that would be vital in the future.