Program Reviews

This program was extremely fun and a lot more eye opening than I thought it would initially be, When I first signed up, I thought it would be just a language class and go around visiting historical landmarks, then go to a high school and talk with some Japanese highschoolers and that's it. But, we did things that most people probably wouldn't be able to do in Japan without a company backing them up, such as meeting with local college students and talking to them about almost anything culture related, such as political problems in Japan, how the Japanese view foreigners dependent on their age (the older generation dislike foreigners while the younger generation don't mind/welcome them). and so on..

The trip to Jordan was one of the most fun experiences of my life. On the trip, we did many different things ranging from learning Arabic in class to listening to lectures surrounding the geopolitics of the Middle East and Jordan. We also visited famous sites in Jordan like Jarash (an ancient Roman city), Petra, Wadi Rum, and Aqaba. However, the best part of the program in my opinion was the homestay. Interacting and hanging out with my homestay family taught me more about the culture and the people than any lecture or lesson did. Additionally, it was moments like hanging out with my host brothers and their friends or eating meals with my host family that was fun and made me feel immersed in the culture. Overall it was a really fun experience and I highly recommend it.

The experiences I had while travelling in Italy will affect me for the rest of my life. Being able to see the history and culture of so many cities and interact with people, firsthand, is something that I would never have been able to do. It was a busy month, but there was a good balance of "down time" where we got to explore. The homestay is by far the most unique part of the whole trip. It was mind blowing to be so welcomed into a family and see what day-to-day life is really like. You can travel your whole life and never see that. I came into this trip with a passion for the culinary industry, however, this trip provided such a rich look at food on a world wide level. The culinary school experience is appropriate for all levels of skill. I learned so many different techniques and cooking methods that we just don't see at home very often. The tours we went on to different kinds of farms and restaurants were also something you cannot do without the Experiment. I met wonderful people, saw beautiful cities and museums full of art, and ate my way through every city. I am forever grateful.

Attending The Experiment trip gave me a good sense of the reality in a different country. I got to meet my groupmates, my host family, and even random people who became friends. My group mates were really good and fun. My host family was amazing. I got to see how the typical small town in France is and I met their family members. A big highlight of my trip was celebrating Bastille day with the whole town. Switzerland was very cool. Everything was expensive, but the town was very beautiful and right on the lake.

Italy was really fun and I am glad that I got the opportunity to experience it. I learned a lot about the food and culture and it was really interesting. Seeing the different cities was wonderful and beautiful. While I did love Italy, I didn't like my group as much. Out of the whole group only two people were black and one of them was me. I just wish that the groups were more diverse. I also wish that I had someone my age when I did the host family. The host family was great but I was a little lonely with no one my again around.

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.