The Experiment in International Living

  Ecuador

• Quito: 
Quito
• Galapagos Islands: 
Galapagos Islands
• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Banos,  Otavalo,  Cumbaya,  Mindo,  Rural Areas

  France

• Aix-en-Provence: 
Aix-en-Provence
• Paris: 
Paris
• Nice: 
Nice

  Germany

• Berlin: 
Berlin

  Ghana

• Accra: 
Accra

  Italy

• Florence: 
Florence
• Rome: 
Roma (Rome)
• Venice: 
Venice
• Milan: 
Milan
• All Other Areas in Italy: 
Siena,  Pisa,  Verona,  Lucca,  Genoa

  Japan

• Tokyo: 
Tokyo

  Mexico

• Oaxaca: 
Oaxaca
• Guadalajara: 
Guadalajara
• Mexico City: 
Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico)
• Central Highlands: 
Queretaro,  Puebla
• Gulf Coast: 
Xalapa
• Yucatan Peninsula: 
Merida,  Tulum

  Morocco

Marrakech

  New Zealand

• Auckland: 
Auckland
• Wellington: 
Wellington
• Christchurch: 
Christchurch

  Poland

Krakow,  Warsaw

  Scotland

Glasgow

  South Africa

• Cape Town: 
Cape Town (Kaapstad)

  Spain

• Barcelona: 
Barcelona
• Granada: 
Granada
• Madrid: 
Madrid
• Seville: 
Seville (Sevilla)
• All Other Areas: 
Almeria,  Bilbao,  Gijon,  Vigo,  Cordoba,  Almunecar,  Getxo (Guecho),  Ubeda,  Jaen

  Switzerland

Geneve [Geneva]

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Dates: Late June to early August

Description: The Experiment in International Living

The Experiment in International Living offers dynamic summer programs for high school students in over 25 countries around the world. For over 70 years, Experiment programs have provided transformational learning experiences to tens of thousands of young people. These groundbreaking summer abroad programs help students develop a profound understanding of a different culture, language, and world view, as well as the capacity to see their own lives and country in a much broader perspective.

The Experiment's international summer high school programs feature opportunities in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Oceania, and Asia. For three to five weeks, Experimenters focus on themes such as community service, language study, travel, peace studies, ecology, the arts, or outdoor adventure as they enjoy daily life with their host families and participate in activities with their group. Through homestays, adventure travel, experiential learning, and language immersion, students build leadership and communication skills, gain essential international experience, increase their self-confidence, and enhance their global awareness. Whatever their destination and focus, all Experiment summer abroad programs engage students in a profoundly moving educational journey of cultural exploration and discovery.

Program Overview:

In 1932, a small group of young Americans sailed across the Atlantic fueled by the power of an idea. Their mission was to foster peace through understanding, communication, and cooperation. After 73 years and more than 65,000 participants, The Experiment in International Living continues to be a leader in the field of international cross-cultural education for high school students.

Experiment in International Living programs challenge young people to open their hearts and minds to the world. Each program in 27 countries around the globe immerses participants in the daily life of another culture. For three to five weeks, Experimenters focus on themes such as community service, language study, ecology, travel, or the arts, as they enjoy life with their host families and participate in activities with their group. The centerpiece of this cutting-edge exchange program is the homestay -- based on the belief that the best way to understand another culture is to live as a member of one of its families.

Supported by experienced group leaders and in-country guides, students build communication skills, increase their self-confidence, and enhance their global awareness. Whatever their destination and focus, all Experiment programs engage students in a profoundly moving educational journey of cultural exploration and discovery.

Participant Backgrounds:

Description of our Groups

Over the past 74 years, more than 68,000 Experimenters have challenged themselves to become immersed in different cultures, learn and practice foreign language skills, break stereotypes, reduce xenophobia, and celebrate the diversity of life.

Experimenters come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. They come from small towns and large cities, urban and rural areas, and public and private schools. The Experiment seeks to engage students from different races, religions, sexual orientations, physical abilities, and socio-economic backgrounds.

Our dynamic groups foster an atmosphere of understanding, acceptance, learning, and growth. While host families abroad get a feel for the heterogeneity of America's communities, participants learn an incredible amount about the diversity within their own country. Interestingly, many students learn as much about the United States as they do about the country they are visiting.

All Experiment programs challenge participants and hosts world-wide to acknowledge their own prejudices and fight intolerance by promoting community action and engaging young people directly in cultures different than their own.

Due to the generosity of Experiment alumni and friends, we offer one of the strongest and most thoughtful financial aid and scholarship programs in the field of adolescent cross-cultural programs.

Highlights: Who Are Experimenters?

"The United States is truly an incredible mosaic of people from around the world. In my group, everybody was so different. My group experience was an integral part of what made our Experiment so successful and enjoyable."

- Katrina Schmitz, Experimenter to France

Quick Facts About 2005 Experiment Groups

- 1100 Experimenters traveled to 27 countries world-wide.
- Experimenters came from 45 U.S. states.
- Experimenters came from 19 countries around the world:
Argentina, Burkina Faso, Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Mexico, Poland, Singapore, Turkey, and The United Kingdom.
- Experimenters attended a wide range of both public and private schools
- Groups ranged in size from seven to 21 students per group
- The average Experiment group had 11 students
- Experimenters spoke Spanish, French, German, Russian, Italian, Setswana, Gaelic, Creole, American Sign Language, Navajo, Korean, Thai, Twi, Turkish, Japanese, Cantonese, Mandarin, Polish, Swahili, Hungarian, Flemish, Portuguese, Indonesian, Hebrew, Arabic, and Hindi during the summer.
- 2005 Experimenters had previously traveled to over 100 countries world-wide
- Experimenters played more than 25 different sports, played more than 14 types of musical instruments, and were involved in over 250 student clubs and activities.

Cost in US$: $3700 - $6200

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 11-12

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

The Experiment in International Living's Mission Statement: The Experiment in International Living offers high school students an opportunity to spend 3-5 weeks of their summer exploring another country and culture. For seventy-five years, The Experiment has been a leader in the field of cross-cultural education for young people. Experimenters will be challenged to integrate into the daily life of a new culture as a member of a diverse group, host family, and active project-based experience.

Year Founded: 1932