Program Reviews

After going on this trip, I had more appreciation for culinary chefs! The whole trip was amazing and definitely an eye-opening experience everyone should get to experience. You definitely learn to be independent while you roam the streets of Paris and Lyon with your group. We also went at a wonderful time, we had front row sits to see Tour de France and it was my first time experiencing a country win the World Cup and celebrate so enthusiastically. I really can not stress how enjoyable this was for me.

In the beginning, the introduction of the Spanish language was eased into our daily duties, such as ordering food or buying things. Then, during the homestay is where I learned the most since my host family solely spoke Spanish. Towards the end of the trip, I was able to have full conversations. After returning home, I was surprised when I realized how much more Spanish I came back with compared to when I left. Overall, I believe it's a great way to learn a language, because of the idea of being thrown into it and having to learn.

I have been to Vietnam before when I was a little girl, but going into this program I have experience the ecology and conservation part of Vietnam. I felt connected with my culture and I felt proud of having some knowledge about it. I was kind of a translator in my group when the Vietnamese leader was not around, and it was cool to speak 2 languages going back and forth. I would say that this experience in Vietnam has change the way I think about life and that is you should take care of your environment and also take care of yourself. As a Vietnamese American I am proud that I have a culture to be a part of. What I realize is that I need to work on my skills in the Vietnamese Language and expand on more knowledge about Vietnam. Some of the favorite places that I have visited was Da Lat because I love how the agriculture is so engraved into the local community, also Con Dao island because it is beautiful and I had the chance to go canoe for the first time, which is funny because I live in Minnesota :) Another part of the program that I enjoyed was being able to visit the indigenous people of Vietnam and having a short wild party with them. SOME TIPS - please bring a hoodie just in case, MOSQUITO REPELLENT!!, try new things, bring at least 2-3 pairs of longer pants because you gotta watch out for leaches.. they suck literally, at first you would feel crappy from the flight/culture shock but that's part of the experience and that is to challenge yourself to this cool adventure. FAVORITE kinda memory of mine was when 2 of my friends was walking in Cat Tien park and we walked far and it started to drizzle rain so we went back and it was a waterfall. I could not see anything and it was scary, my friend was screaming and complaining and I was scared but also laughing about how she was complaining. Another memory was when the group is going back home. My friend had lost her passport for about 30 minutes I think and I suddenly had her passport and then It was my turn to look for mine. At that time it was time for boarding and I was freaking out. I did eventually find it after like 15-20 minutes and I started to cry because it was the scariest thing I have ever experience. TIP - please keep your valuables safe. Okay this is long so.. Lastly I would like to say that if you are interested in learning about the environment or learning about Vietnam's culture, you should join and learn more in this program. Good Luck.

Despite the slight cultural variations in different parts of Japan, Japanese people homogenously value cleaniliness, respect, and productivity. Due to their desire to full fill their social responsibility, they make sure that foreigners, irrespective of their own personal beliefs, are welcomed and treated well. Apart form the welcoming atmosphere, there are a plathera of places to explore and things to do. Every corner has something to offer, so don't limit your journey to just touristy destinations.

*The more you make an effort to learn the language, the more they make the effort to assist you in doing so.

During my time abroad in Argentina this past summer, I learned so many valuable lessons about both myself and the world around me. This was an amazing program, from the places we stayed, to all the fun activities, as well as my fantastic group leaders. After returning, I felt like there was a whole new side of life that was available to me, and in the month that I have been back, I have become so much more aware of the world around me

So the experience was outstanding. From the food to the people I got to meet, every moment was memorable. Honestly, I never thought I'd enjoy being so out of place. At first, it was like Woah... I'm actually in the U.K. A country I've been wanting to visit ever since I was a child. A truly jaw-dropping thing for me. Now, of course, there was sightseeing, roaming London, enjoying the local food, all that good stuff. However, this was a study abroad program, not a casual visit and thank God for that. What we studied over there, Journalism and contemporary media really struck me. I learned not only awesome things like how to properly handle a camera, But I also learned what other countries think of America. Yes while there we were bombarded with questions and thoughts about Trump but that showed how intriguing we were to the English People. It was cool in some ways. A bit repetitive but cool. In the end, the program consisted of a bunch of cool people getting tightly knitted and becoming a big family while learning about themselves and the country they live in. Also, did I mention the custard creams? they're a biscuit full of custard cream and I can confirm me and the rest of my group give them a 10/10. This trip can truly alter someone's life in a positive way and I am 100% grateful for the opportunity. I will never forget the memories and will only further develop the person I have become(I am actually more into leadership roles and overall outgoing now because of this trip.). Yeah, there's not much else to say. The trip overall, 10 out of 10. Would recommend.

The four weeks that I spent in Morocco with EIL this summer were an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience. The other students were fantastic, like-minded individuals, and our in-country leader was fantastic. We were able to explore many different aspects of the country, from the urban to the rural, and I feel I came away from the trip with a genuine sense of the country's culture. Additionally, the homestay portion of the trip added an element of intimacy impossible to get from simply staying in hotels. I adored my time in Morocco with EIL and would immediately recommend it to anyone interested in Moroccan culture or simply looking to discover a richly diverse, exciting, and welcoming country in-depth.

This program was so much more than a simple trip abroad. From living with a wonderful, caring, and supportive host family to making countless connections with locals and fellow Experimenters alike, this experience was truly one that I will never forget. Despite previous travels abroad, this experience allowed me to completely immerse myself in a foreign culture more fully than any opportunity that I had had before. It was truly amazing to be able to meet local Spaniards and create unique, memorable friendships with them while learning about Spain’s beautiful language and culture. However, I still believe that the best part of this experience was the ability to live with a host family for an entire week and a half. Although the availability of this aspect of traveling abroad is harder to find nowadays, it is, in my opinion, what made this trip so unbelievable. During this time period, my Spanish skills improved remarkably and I made unforgettable personal connections with my host family and their friends which will undoubtedly last a lifetime. All in all, my participation in this program has provided me with indescribably precious memories and friendships that I am sure to treasure for the rest of my life.

I had more fun that I ever imagined I could have during the trip. I significantly improved my Spanish skills and had the opportunity to do many unique outdoor activities, including biking, hiking, camping, horseback riding, and white-water rafting. I would definitely recommend this program for anyone with a passion for outdoor fun. The community service portion of the trip was also very fun and a great bonding experience for the group!

I was changed all the way from my perspectives, to how I act around others. I learned the importance of having an open mind and respecting other people's opinions. I learned that this world is not perfect but that we have the power to make it better. I learned what it means to be a leader and what I can do to help my home community. For all this, I want to thank South Africa and this Program. An experience of a lifetime.