Program Reviews

This experience was honestly one of the best experiences of my life. I met many amazing people, and I really got the opportunity to explore another culture and have fun at the same time. The leaders were attentive of our needs, and easy to communicate with. Their relaxed personalities really allowed the group and I to live this experience to the fullest, because we felt comfortable being ourselves around them.
During my time in Argentina, the group and I did not stay in a town or city for more than three days which really kept everyone entertained, but also busy. It was cool to learn about many different places, and how each had their unique aspects even though all these towns were in one single country.
The community service aspect of this program was my favorite because the whole group was able to contribute equally, and the people made it fun to do. Working with a school and being able to meet the children who we do this for really made me realize how much we have in the United States, and how a work like the one we did really helps these communities.
As to my home stay, I absolutely loved my host family. From the first time I walked into that door I had a home-like feeling, and everyone welcomed me with hugs and kisses. I was able to have conversations quickly, and got to share different aspects of my own culture to them as well.
Argentina was a wonderful experience that made my summer amazing. I am planning on returning, but I could repeat this summer program, I would do it in a heartbeat.

My summer in Germany was unforgettable. Every day, I was challenged, whether it be through the culture shock, group discussions, or host family activities. However, it was through each challenge that I learned new things about myself and the world around me. Having difficult conversations, stepping outside of my comfort zone, and being vulnerable allowed me to truly immerse myself in the German culture while creating strong relationships with my group.
The group dynamic was absolutely amazing. The 14 of us came from different backgrounds with different opinions and ideas but all with a passion for politics and change-making, that made for thought-provoking discussions and debates, allowing us to constantly learn from each other and think in ways that we never had before. The relationships that I've made - both German and American - are ones that have helped me realize my own capabilities as a leader and truly changed my life for the better.
The Experiment has given me a summer that I will never forget, and I strongly recommend this program to any high schooler looking to broaden their world view.

Though Mongolia is one of the hardest programs for the Experiment in International Living, it is one of the most freeing and satisfying experiences of my life. By going into another country where you don't know anyone, you've never heard the language let alone speak it, you are putting yourself way out there. In this program you do that and you have to deal with different food, hygiene standards and cultural norms. This experience, which I was extremely nervous to be a part of at first, shaped me into a more open and confident person. I am not very social but I quickly became comfortable around the group I was with, learned that putting myself out in the world is beneficial and I should do it more often. I learned to make mistakes and be okay with that. I was able to put myself out there during a relatively mentally stressful first few days because I had to do that to get anywhere and not feel isolated. I also became more comfortable with people entering my "personal bubble" because in Mongolia, personal space is not a thing and don't expect them to understand what it is.

Mongolia is a very beautiful country. On the first day of orientation in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, we were told that Mongolia is known as the land of the blue sky. The sky in Mongolia is the bluest and biggest sky you could ever see. At night when you weren't in a soum center or city, you could see the Milky Way. There were animal everywhere (which was amazing.) The openness, of the people and landscape, mixed with the natural world and way of life made Mongolia one of the most freeing places mentally and physically.

Mongolia is an amazing country to visit with this program, you learn so much about yourself and a larger culture that is vastly different from the United States. You learn to better appreciate what you have and the connections you can make with strangers.

My experience in Jordan was absolutely opposite that which is portrayed in the media. Going into the Middle East, especially from a country like the United States, I was told that the culture and the people would be completely foreign, that they would not think like me or act like me, but everything I was told was wrong. The people, the place, everything, was absolutely amazing and I cannot begin express my gratitude for this amazing, enlightening experience. On my trip to Jordan with The Experiment, I met so many people, both Jordanian and American, and had amazing experiences sightseeing, learning, and exploring. I cannot recommend this program more, I had a life-changing experience!

This was an amazing experience. I grew so close to the people who were strangers in the beginning yet ended up being like family. It was so fun to see and learn all about the history of China. The most impacting part of my experience was living in Baibi village for my rural homestay. I learned to be blessed and appreciate the little things in life because not everyone is as fortunate as me. I am now more open minded to new cultures than before.

I learned a lot and grew as an individual by traveling abroad to Spain through the Experiment. The group leaders, host families, and coordinators made this trip especially memorable for me. I not only learned more about myself and how independent I was traveling to another country, but I also was able to strengthen my Spanish skills greatly. This was an experience that I'll cherish and I'll never forget.

Through this program, I have grown into a more passionate and aware leader. In this program, I met many new people in my group who have similar and different mentalities. Through this variety of personalities and opinions, I was able to gain more perspectives of life from others. I also got to see how passionate and determined the other attendees are - I left the program hopeful due to the fact that I knew the future was going to be full of individuals who are similar to the individuals in my group. From this impactful experience, I had the opportunity to succeed as a leader that I am meant to prosper into and also got to create life-long friendships with the most amazing people I have ever met.

I had an amazing experience in Mongolia this summer. I wanted to be immersed in a culture different from mine and the program really focused on the Mongolian way of life, traditions, and customs. The experience was amazing, Mongolia is a beautify and i would go back in the blink of an eye. I had a wonderful time and all the group leaders were extremely friendly and funny and over all wonderful people. I can not imagine having the same amount of fun as i did with other leaders.

Honestly, the most eye opening and rewarding experience. You will gain so much insight from this trip. I'm glad I was selected and given amazing financial aid to go. Before the experiment, I was pretty uncomfortable with stepping outside of my shelf or my comfort zone. I was used to talking to only so many people and not wanting to go to too many outings because of how anxious and uncomfortable I’d become. Signing up for this trip, I told myself that it was time for me to move past what held me back and that I had to push myself. Now that I am back, I am more than happy I went on this trip. I learned so much about myself.

Truly Enlightening! Reflecting on my experience is a privilege and I now realize how significant it is to be exposed to the customs of other countries. Overall, it was honestly the best month of my life and everyday was even better than the last. From the activities, to the home stays, to the connections each moment would feel completely new and I honestly wouldn't mind going back. My appreciation for culture, language, and sense of community definitely was strengthen on the course of this trip. When it came to serious matters nothing was held back and extremely informative. Based on the exposure of the history and the modern day crisis that strikes upon Germany, the awareness was something critical to not only myself but on a global scale. My overbearing year has definitely been shaped by the experience as a whole and having the opportunity to experience things I would probably never would get to do as an inner city student is refreshing.