Program Reviews

This trip has been a mind opening, life changing experience. Not only did I meet incredible people that made the trip the best month of my life, but I also learned how to understand other cultures in a new way with more respect towards everyone.

Thailand is a very religious country so with that there are many fine lines between being a tourist and being rude. The first week we got there we learned all of the do's and don'ts of Thailand. Some of them were what I was expecting like being conservative in temples and taking your shoes off when entering but there were some rules that I took as a surprise and it took me a while to adjust like: no waving, when you see someone you put your hands in a pray sign and bow your head. We also couldn't point to anything with our feet which was surprisingly hard to adjust my manners to. These little rules didn't seem like much to me in the beginning but as the trip continued and once we began to live with the homestay families we learned that it was crucial to respect these rules. Not only was I overly aware of my actions with Thai people, i was also more aware of what I said in the group of Eil because sometimes you don't realize that something you say someone else may take offense to.

During my incredible week homestay experience I was able to share a home with a wonderful, kind, family with two twin daughters Ing and Ang. I've never had any sisters in my mile so all of the sudden I had two little sisters with never ending energy spreading their love everywhere they went. It almost felt as if I had a shadow all week which I was not used to and took a few days to adjust. Everywhere I went they were there. It was really nice to know they were always going to be there but I have never had younger siblings before so at first I felt a little weird of a connection between us. But in time this connection became so real whether we were biking around the village or playing with their english coloring books I always had fun and felt as if it was just a great learning experience for all of us.

My host mother and I had a beautiful connection because even though we couldn't verbally communicate we were able to communicate in hand gestures and the little words I had learned in Thai, but for the most part it was smiles. Honestly smiles get you everywhere in Thailand and I really think it is a universal sign of kind and happiness no matter the language you speak. Just an example of this non conversational communication was when my host mother found out I liked mangos. She observed me eating and noticed I really liked mangos, so I never went a meal without mangos after that.

Once I return to my home I am going to be more socially aware of my surroundings and just think before speaking which is a very powerful act to be able to do. Thailand has opened my perspective and has really inspired me to travel and explore the world.

There were so many great life lessons I learned throughout this month in Thailand and I hope I can't take back with me those new understandings into my daily life back home.

My group was the first Experiment group that wasn't a leadership institute. I loved my time abroad in India! It was beautiful, fun, and everyone there is so loving. It pushed me outside my comfort zones and I wouldn't trade my experience for the world. I made so many new friends that I am still connected to. I did get sick a lot and contracted parasites while I was there I did get great medical care and I came home almost 100% healthy. I recommend this program to people that do not feel the need to live up to the American standards of "clean" such as showering everyday. You will also be required to take your shoes off a lot in public, but it actually isn't bad besides wet feet in some places. The main thing you have to be okay with is the bugs. They are everywhere!!

This trip was a life changer for me. I went with a group of 16 other high school students. Everyone on the trip was so polite. I made friends with everyone in my group and we experienced a lot of Morocco together. The trip has a very good balance of freedom and safty. Some highlights of the trip are riding camels in the Sahara, learning Arabic, and visiting the markets. This trip is really great for everyone and you will meet wonderful people.

During my time here I was able to practice my Spanish to full extent and become more independent because of our leaders letting us be a little free. They would ask for our opinions and tried to accommodate to that. I really loved my host experience I was able to meet many Argentinian teens my age and younger and interact with them while learning how to use a pin hole camera. I really learned how to be grateful for what I have and to be open to anything because you never know whats the next obstacle you might face. During this trip we did two projects and presented them to our host families at the end of our course. I couldn't have asked for more I really loved the experience I had this summer. I would recommend anyone to not come with expectations because that way you will be able to have more fun and soak everything in rather than already coming in with an opinion. Lastly I would like to say to be yourself.

The Nicaragua and Cuba:Arts and Social Change trip has been an extraordinary experience for me! Although not completely fluent in Spanish, I was able to lean into discomfort in my homes stays and converse with people. This program has given me a lot of space to grow individually and to develop my character! I am very grateful for the chance to go to both Nicaragua and Cuba. Learning about the distinct cultures and revolutions in each country has been very enlightening. I also cherished the moments in which we were able to have exploration time in each place. Having classes, homesteads, very supportive mentors and a very harmonious group, I was able to have a unique and beautiful experience this July as I became familiar with two very beautiful countries!

I had a truly amazing time on this trip. I think about it everyday, wishing to be back in such a beautiful place surrounded by a great group of people.
I met many new people: my groupmates, Vietnamese high school and college students, families and friends through my homestays, and many more.
Everyday was an adventure, whether we were exploring the city, hiking, snorkeling or swimming on the beach, or doing some form of community service. There was a great blend of scheduled activities (such as listed above), free time to bond and explore, and time that focused on the thematic focus (ecology and conservation), which generally consisted of talks from professionals and visiting environments and other educational places.

I would highly recommend this program!

My experience in Korea over this summer was just a magnificent experience. This program was filled with amazing peers, great leaders, and an incredibly humorous in-country leader. Each stay was so unique in its own way, so that we were able to experience all aspects of Korean culture. From visiting the Blue House Museum, to the Demilitarized Zone, to a Buddhist temple stay, each experience was immersive and spectacular. Although some accommodations required us to sleep on the floors, it was completely bearable, and somewhat easy to get used to. Overall, the accommodations were wonderful, and all of the owners were incredibly kind and welcoming. To top it off, the food was always wonderful. There wasn't a day where our entire group wasn't eager to eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner. My experience in Korea was simply unforgettable, and I'll always be grateful for this opportunity to tour and learn about peace building in Korea.

My trip in Argentina was truly fantastic. I loved the places we saw, the people we met, the food we ate, and even the weather and climate we lived in. I was also one of the lucky ones; I had a host family so amazing that I didn't necessarily want to return home to my own. (A very odd emotional dilemma, but it's true.) I do think I learned a lot about photography, but not exactly much about photojournalism. We were taught camera angles, depth of field, lighting, and a lot of good qualities that I as someone who sees photography as a serious endeavor hadn't yet learned. But, it goes without saying that the program description leads one to believe they will be studying photojournalism, and to me that meant going into scenes of the world and snapping what we could for that perfect shot. Instead, we talked to subjects we found in the street and were encouraged to pose them how we needed. The program was truly one of the best I've come across, but I believe a little tweaking of the program's title and description could go a long way to be truer to form.

Going to India with the Experiment in International Living (EIL) has easily been one of the most memorable experiences of my life so far. This experience was a like heaven to a curious mind. Coming from NYC, "the city that never sleeps," where life moves fast, its hard to find time to sit and wonder. It's hard to find time to ask the questions, let alone get answers. But in India, with EIL I was not only given time to develop these questions but instead, I was encouraged to ask. I recommend this program to anyone with questions, anyone who wants to further develop their own voices, and most of all anyone who wants to have fun. I wouldn't trade this experience for the world and look forward to continuing as a world learner!

I loved every part of this trip! The team over in Jordan truly cares for their students, they get us fully emerged and a lot of personal growth happens! I learned the language, culture and history not just through lectures and class but also through first hand experiences! The home stay is one of the most amazing parts of the trip, making you feel like you belong! I highly recommend this trip to future travelers!