Location
  • Online
Term
Summer
Subject Areas
African Studies Communications Cultural Studies Digital Media Education English Global Studies International Relations Middle Eastern Studies Political Science Service Learning +1
Need-based funding, General grants/scholarships
Health & Safety

Program Details

Program Type
Direct Enrollment
Degree Level
High School Diploma
Language
English

Pricing

Starting Price
0
Price Details
Fully funded (free!)
Dec 12, 2022
Oct 03, 2021
8 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

The Experiment Digital invites teens ages 14-19 to participate in a free international virtual exchange program! This six-week online exchange connects hundreds of young people across the U.S. with peers from the Middle East and North Africa. Participants will come together for four hours a week to enhance their understanding and practice of leadership and mutual understanding between different cultures, learn how to become more civically engaged, and implement service projects in their local communities.

Upon successful completion of the program, participants receive a Certificate of Completion in Leadership & Global Issues Analysis, a $400 scholarship for summer 2024 toward one of The Experiment's programs, and more.

The Experiment Digital is supported by the Stevens Initiative, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. Government, and is administered by the Aspen Institute.

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion

BIPOC Support

Diverse identities and experiences are essential to intercultural exchange. We are committed to recruiting and supporting participants of the broadest socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, and geographic diversity of any high school exchange program in the world.

LGBTQIA+ Support

Diverse identities and experiences are essential to intercultural exchange. We are committed to recruiting and supporting participants of the broadest socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, and geographic diversity of any high school exchange program in the world.

Impact

Sustainability

Environmental sustainability is a key component of all programs. Participants minimize their environmental footprint by using public transit, eating local food, and participating in community service projects in collaboration with, and according to, the needs of local communities.

Ethical Impact

Social and environmental responsibility is more critical now than ever. We are committed to delivering programs that support and are respectful of the diverse communities and ecosystems that host our programs.

Our programs are developed in close consultation with local and international partners and with a critical understanding of the communities and regions we visit.

Program Highlights

  • Learn and discuss world affairs with peers across the U.S., Middle East, and North Africa—all without leaving your living room.
  • Program for youth led by youth. Build friendships with other young people across the globe.
  • Students practice collaborative problem solving, intercultural communication, and digital etiquette.
  • The participant to expert facilitator ratio is 5:1, allowing for small group conversations with authentic engagement.
  • Robust and engaging curriculum with a critical outlet for global cross-cultural exchange in a time of crisis.

Scholarships

The Experiment in International Living Scholarships

The Experiment in International Living offers a variety of need-based and merit-based scholarships to worthy high school students looking to participate in their program. The eligibility requirements vary depending on where you live and other demographics -- and your GPA is taken into account for some scholarships too.

Value
$250 - $5,000

Program Reviews

4.90 Rating
based on 39 reviews
  • 5 rating 89.74%
  • 4 rating 10.26%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Content 4.9
  • Engagement 4.8
  • Support 4.9
  • Platform 4.8
  • Value 4.9
Showing 17 - 24 of 39 reviews
Default avatar
Zyad
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Excellent

This program is very nice, beginning from its sessions that discuss grand challenges of the world as public health and pollution, moving to the discussion of those topics where we all discuss what we learned and how can we make a solution to the problem. Not only this but also there were the hangouts that we made aside from the sessions of the program, such as playing games together or talking about some stuff. Despite all of this, the thing that made me love the program the most is its community, the community is very friendly that even the shy person can make friends with all of them, in a week I knew about 5 of my neighborhood,
even if you decide not to make any friends, the facilitators of the program will make you interact with other people from the program and make friends with them.
My final rate for the program is 10/10

What was your funniest moment?
My funniest moment was when we played a game about someone draws something and others try to figure out that thing, I was terrible at this game, in the 3 rounds, I have guessed the answer only 8 times :)
47 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Vishnu
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Experience with The Experiment Digital

The Experiment Digital is an adventure presented to students who are courageous enough to leap into the unknown fields of STEAM. As a student concurrently enrolled in a science and research-based magnet school, I enjoyed the challenges and collaboration opportunities presented during the program. I love how The Experiment Digital not only focuses on academic growth, but also constructs a gateway to different lifestyles and cultures. The program’s many aspects fostered critical thinking, concise communication, and problem-solving on important concepts that will positively impact me forever. I met so many amazing, inspiring people that I will never forget!

What was your funniest moment?
The first time I met my Homestay siblings (other students paired up with me from Egypt), we just looked at each other in shock and started laughing because we were starstruck :)
48 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Daniel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great Experience

The Experiment Digital was an unforgettable experience. Not only was I in contact with people around the globe, but I also made some friends. I learned a lot about their culture, some language phrases, traditions, and specific dishes. I got to view challenges and difficulties in people’s countries/communities. My peers and I came up with ways to solve these challenges through critical thinking and guidance from the modules. I even got the chance to have a virtual Homestay. I had two partners and we learned a lot from each other. Overall, this was a great experience.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I am surprised at how astonishing talented some people are. I got the chance to see two of my peers sing, and one even solved a Rubix cube in under a minute.
45 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Habiba
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Best Time Ever!

This program was very fun and informative. I got to meet new people and make friends, and have fun with other people from different places while learning about very important topics in fun way. We enjoyed fun chats and activities. I discovered a lot of things that I never knew of. This program also helped me develop self confidence and it also helped me discover the importance of very serious issues and how we should change them to make the world a better place. I 100% would recommend this to people who are willing to experience something new and different.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Make sure to have fun and enjoy your time while it lasts.
45 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Abdelazeem
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

what an experience!

Participating in this program was an extraordinary experiment. In addition to knowing new things, I made new friends. This program wasn't just for STEAM, it was more than that. The Experiment Digital is an experiment that I would like to repeat again. If I had the choice to participate again, I would not histate and I will be happy to repeat it again. One of my best decisions I've ever made is to participate. I learned new things and I had fun. So I can confirm that being a part of TED is more than you imagine.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
I would advise them to share their thoughts freely, not to be shy, and take advantage of the opportunity of participating in this program.
47 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Afnan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An Experience!

Hi I'm Afnan, I applied in The Experiment program in 2021 ~ the program was REALLLLY GOOD, I learned alot of new stuff about the environment, puplic health and more! And it really motivated me to focus on the pollution issue, they made me a new goal! Help the environment!! And not just that, but I met awesome people from USA, and Egypt, innovative people, who love to learn! I'm so glad I've been a part of this program, this program really gave me a wide perspective to this world, not just in environment but people, culture and more! ^^

What was your funniest moment?
The hangout activity! The wheel game, which we played virtually on zoom, it was fun
46 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Hasti
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An unforgettable experience

TED completely changed me as a person. Not only did I learn valuable information about different cultures, leadership, and many other life lessons, I also got to express my thoughts and ideas through the program, and other participants were supportive, so I gained a confidence that I didn’t know I could have. I also gained some new friends from different backgrounds who are all amazing people with different ideas that will change our communities for better. I’m very glad I was part of this program.

What would you improve about this program?
If there was one thing I could improve about TED, it would be the number of family dialogues. I feel like those four times were not enough for us as participants to get to know each other well enough and be able to discuss our ideas together.
47 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Sandra
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best experience ever

This summer I had one of the best moments in my life with TED ,I got to talk with people around the world who were as motivated I am. I learned many new things and I got to improve my leadership and communication skills.I learned how to plan and make a project real. This programme motivated me and inspired me to take the lead and make a change in my community. And I think what made this programme unique is the way they teach us new concepts without making it boring. So I would definitly recommend this programme to other youth.

What was your funniest moment?
When we were taking the last family picture even though it was sad but the last family dialogue was a happy experience
50 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers