Program Reviews

Going to Argentina was one of the most life changing experience for me. It was the first time I would be away from my family for so long and just be among my peers mostly. I loved every moment of the trip because there were so many things I could discover due to the fact that I do not know anything about Argentina.

I really loved my host family as well. They treated me well and shared all their special dishes and love for me. I was always happy with my host family because we did a lot of activities and there was never a dull moment at home.

The rest of the trip was amazing. I made some really great friends and had life changing experiences.

The program helped me become more aware of the ever growing issues regarding not only the LGBTQ+ community but also those pertaining to human rights as well. Throughout our three week stay in the Netherlands, we participated in lectures by well-versed instructors about topics that ranged from Black diasporic music and literature to Trans* Issues in Netherlands and visited organizations such as The Hangout, a safe space for LGBTQ+ teens, in Rotterdam. My sole experience does not determine the one you may have, but I know that there will be certain sentiments that will remain the same, such as missing the glistening canals as you make your way through the city, the feeling of bliss as you walk past that one bakery on your way to the office that resembled the ones you saw in Disney cartoons, and understanding that being around individuals with the same sense of motivation to make the community they live in a better place is rare and should be cherished.

I participated in The Experiment in their French Culture and Regional Identity where I visited cities in France (Paris, Strasbourg, Colmar, Metz, Nancy, and the Alsace-Lorraine Region) and in Germany (Freiburg). Those three weeks were the best and most rewarding time of my life. I felt really immersed in the culture and life of France, so much so that I miss everything about it. (The part I miss the most is eating cheese and bread at every meal.) The program allowed me to see the beauty in everything, from a simple wall art in Paris to great views of the city of Strasbourg. Our first few days in Paris was really hard for me because the environment was quite different from San Francisco. However, when we got to our homestays, everything settled down. I love my homestay family! They were so kind to me, and I really felt accepted by them. The week and half I spent with them was not enough, and I very much plan on visiting them again. (I still talk to them!) After our homestay, we headed to Freiburg, Germany and visited the Black Forest! It was so much fun! We went hiking and boating! It was also here that I faced my fear of heights and rode a ferris wheel for the first time! Then, we went back into France, stayed in Colmar where I really fell in love with France. We ended in Paris, and it was the hardest goodbye I've ever had to do. But this whole trip is really unexplainable, no words can accurately explain what I experienced. The program itself was so amazing! My group leaders were very kindhearted, accepting, and I knew I could trust them. They made the whole trip easier to handle. I felt very safe in every place that we went to, and that's a major part of why The Experiment is very, very good. Overall, my experience was really one-of-a-kind. I would definitely do it again with The Experiment!

It sounds cliche, but this trip made my summer the best I've ever experienced. The friends I made both within the program and in Argentina are ones that I'm still in contact with and are some of the coolest people I know. The leaders were incredibly competent and always made me feel safe, understood, and interested in what we were doing. The program itself taught me a lot and gave me constant opportunities to practice many kinds of photography. The homestay experience taught me so much about a different culture and independence, and introduced me to a second family. I highly recommend this program to anyone and everyone looking to go abroad and has an interest in photography and experiencing new things!

This program has been the most amazing thing I have ever done. I made so many friends, not only with the group I went there with, but with the Vietnamese students we did activities with and with my homestay families. The homestay experience of this program is one of its most important features and for me it was a super positive experience. I loved both of the families I stayed with, I did so many awesome things with them and felt like I was really part of their family. I am still in contact with them now, and my first homestay family even invited themselves to my college graduation! The trip overall was fabulous in every way, the people, the scenery, the community service, and everything else. This trip was super meaningful to me and I would 100 percent recommend it.

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!