Make Your Summer Matter | Innovative summer abroad programs for high school students
The Experiment in International Living provides summer
abroad programs for high school students who want to connect deeply and engage meaningfully with the
richness and complexities of another country. Participants explore the host country through hands-on experiences
in local communities and through the lens of a specific theme.
Programs are designed to equip participants not only with essential cultural skills and, in many cases, language
skills, but also with a deeper awareness of and sensitivity to critical global issues shaping the diverse communities
and regions we visit.
Each year, hundreds of Experimenters come away from their summer abroad with invaluable new skills, connections,
awareness, and knowledge that help them to thrive—and lead—in diverse, intercultural environments.
The Experiment in International Living has been offering immersive experiential learning programs abroad
since 1932. Today, The Experiment offers summer programs for high school students in Europe; the Americas; Africa,
south of the Sahara; North Africa and the Middle East; and Asia and the Pacific. The Experiment is committed to
providing participants from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds with access to The Experiment’s immersive crosscultural programs through its partnerships, scholarships, and other initiatives. See pages 76–77 for details.
The Experiment Difference
• History and Experience
A distinguished 80-plus-year history of innovative leadership in international, cross-cultural programs for youth
• Homestays
Homestay experiences designed to provide meaningful
and firsthand experience living in another culture
• Our Programs
A thematic focus—on sustainability and the environment;
arts and social change; language and cultural discovery;
leadership training; or peace, politics, and human rights
• Maximizing Health and Safety
A strong focus on health, safety, and security. Programs
follow a comprehensive structure designed to maximize
the well-being of all participants while they engage with
the host culture and local communities.
• Intercultural Learning and Cross-Cultural Communication
A long tradition of building skills in intercultural learning
and cross-cultural communication through immersive
activities that promote language acquisition as well as
cross-cultural empathy, flexibility, resilience, and efficacy
• Enduring Partnerships with Organizations Nationwide
Longstanding and deeply rooted relationships with
Experiment partner organizations, alumni, and donors—who
believe in us and what we do—facilitate access to Experiment
programs and support for a diversity of participants.
• Small and Diverse Groups
Small and diverse participant groups—typically composed of
two adult group leaders and 15 participants from very different
geographic, racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Our Leaders, Partners, and Staff
Outstanding student support from experienced adult group
leaders, in-country partners, and Experiment staff in Vermont,
all of whom contribute enormously to the educational and
immersive nature of our programs
It is the policy of World Learning to provide equal employment and educational opportunities for all
persons regardless of age, ethnic origin, gender, nationality, physical or learning ability, race, religion,
sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran’s status, or any other legally protected condition.
Copyright 2015 World Learning. All rights reserved.
World Learning and its circle design, School for International Training, SIT, and The Experiment
in International Living and its infinity design are registered trademarks of World Learning Inc.
The U.S. Experiment in International Living is a trademark of World Learning Inc.
Contents
Program Themes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Program Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Community Service and Language Certification . . . . . . . . . . 5
Experiment Group Leaders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Health, Safety, and Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
The Homestay Experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Programs
LATIN AMERICA and the CARIBBEAN
Argentina: Community Service and the Great Outdoors . . . .10
Argentina: Photojournalism and Social Change . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Costa Rica: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Sustainability . . . . . . . . 18
Ecuador: The Galápagos Islands and the Andes . . . . . . . . . .20
Mexico: Marine Biology on the Baja Peninsula . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Nicaragua and Cuba: Arts and Social Change . . . . . . . . . . .50
AFRICA, SOUTH of the SAHARA
Peru: Ancient and Contemporary Cultures . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
South Africa: Multiculturalism in an Urban and Rural Society . . . . . 54
NORTH AFRICA and the MIDDLE EAST
Tanzania: Coastal and Maasai Cultures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Tanzania: Wildlife, Ecology, and Culture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
ASIA
China: Cultural Traditions in the North . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
China: Ethnic Minorities and Contemporary Culture . . . . . . 16
Japan: Japanimation­—Anime and Manga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Japan: Language and Cultural Traditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Jordan: History, Politics, and Arabic Language . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Morocco: Multiculturalism in the Arab World . . . . . . . . . . .46
EXPERIMENT LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
Program Selection and Application Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
India: Public Health and Community Development . . . . . . . 74
South Africa: Youth Leadership in Peace, Politics,
and Human Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Korea: Peace Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Mongolia: Nomadic and Urban Cultures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Thailand: Buddhist Traditions and Contemporary Culture . . .68
Vietnam: Ecology and Conservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
EUROPE
Access and Diversity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
Scholarships and Financial Aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Application and Eligibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
The Experiment’s Educational Philosophy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
France: French Culture and Regional Identity . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Programs at a Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
France: French Language and Culinary Traditions . . . . . . . . .24
World Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
France: Painting and Photography in Paris and Provence . . . . 26
Germany: Contemporary Politics and the European Union . . .28
Ireland: Irish Culture and Youth Empowerment . . . . . . . . . . 30
Italy: Language and Local Food Culture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Netherlands: Gender Equality and Human Rights . . . . . . . . .48
Spain: Contemporary and Historic Cultural Diversity . . . . . . . 56
Spain: Language and Cultural Traditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
On the cover: A participant on the India: Public Health and
Community Development (Leadership Institute) program,
learning a traditional community dance during a festival
celebrated in the Uttarakhand region. Photo taken by
Leah Varjacques.
Other photos courtesy of Jeff Woodward and Experiment
students and staff.
Spain: Regional Cultures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Spain: Technology and Social Innovation in Urban Culture . . . 62
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
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Program Themes
Language and Cultural Discovery
These programs are ideal for participants interested in history, language, travel, and culture. Participants
are immersed in the cultural complexities of a new country and explore renowned historical sites,
contemporary realities, and regional differences through a homestay and other meaningful community
experiences. Many of these programs offer formal language training in and outside classroom settings.
Critical Global Issues
These programs provide participants with a focused
exploration of critical issues shaping local communities
around the world. Participants can explore the relationship
between art, politics, and society in different historical
periods, through our Arts and Social Change programs.
Our Sustainability and the Environment programs expose
participants to local, regional, and global perspectives on
critical environmental challenges, diverse ecological
systems, and natural resource conservation. Participants
interested in peace, politics, and human rights can
experience how community groups, individuals, and
others worldwide have built bridges of peace, tolerance,
and understanding to foster more democratic and
equitable societies.
Arts and
Social Change
Sustainability and
the Environment
Peace, Politics, and
Human Rights
Experiment Leadership Institute
These competitive programs are aimed at participants deeply interested in intercultural
leadership, advocacy, and civic engagement. These programs are specifically focused on
leadership development.
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• China: Cultural Traditions in the North
• Peru: Ancient and Contemporary Cultures
• China: Ethnic Minorities and Contemporary Culture
• South Africa: Multiculturalism in an Urban and Rural Society
• France: French Culture and Regional Identity
• Spain: Language and Cultural Traditions
• France: French Language and Culinary Traditions
• Spain: Regional Cultures
• Japan: Language and Cultural Traditions
• Tanzania: Coastal and Maasai Cultures
• Mongolia: Nomadic and Urban Cultures
• Thailand: Buddhist Traditions and Contemporary Culture
• Morocco: Multiculturalism in the Arab World
•A
rgentina: Photojournalism and Social Change
• J apan: Japanimation—Anime and Manga
•F
rance: Painting and Photography in Paris and Provence
•N
icaragua and Cuba: Arts and Social Change
•A
rgentina: Community Service and the Great Outdoors
•M
exico: Marine Biology on the Baja Peninsula
•C
osta Rica: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Sustainability
• Tanzania: Wildlife, Ecology, and Culture
•E
cuador: The Galápagos Islands and the Andes
• Vietnam: Ecology and Conservation
• I taly: Language and Local Food Culture
•G
ermany: Contemporary Politics and the European Union
• Netherlands: Gender Equality and Human Rights
• Ireland: Irish Culture and Youth Empowerment
•S
pain: Contemporary and Historic Cultural Diversity
• Jordan: History, Politics, and Arabic Language
•S
pain: Technology and Social Innovation in Urban Culture
•K
orea: Peace Studies
• India: Public Health and Community Development
• South Africa: Youth Leadership in Peace, Politics, and Human Rights
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Program Components
Each Experiment program is composed of several of the following components, which add depth to the program theme.
Component descriptions can be used as an overall guide to assist in choosing a program that best fits each student’s interests. The
components associated with each program are listed on the individual program pages. A comparative component rating guide,
which indicates the level of intensity of each component, is provided in the Programs at a Glance table on pages 80–83.
Homestay
Participants spend a portion of the program living as a member of a local host family, joining in the family’s daily lives and
activities
City Stay
Time in a large, urban environment, such as the country’s
capital city or another significant metropolitan area
Rural Stay
Time in a rural and/or remote region; may include a village
homestay
Community Service
Opportunities to work on a project designed by local organizations and the individuals they serve while exploring concepts
such as community development, social service, and volunteerism in an international context. Some programs offer a
community service certificate. See page 5 for details.
Language Classes
Formal language classes taught by trained instructors; classes
typically incorporate experiential learning activities inside and
outside a classroom setting. Some programs offer a language
instruction certificate. See page 5 for details.
Language Immersion
Opportunities to be immersed in the host language(s)
through participation in non-English-speaking settings
Culinary Training
Meaningful exposure to the food, recipes, and culinary
techniques of the host country through hands-on activities,
typically led by culinary experts
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Hiking/Trekking
Time is spent hiking through terrain such as mountain passes,
nature trails, forests, tropical valleys, or highlands
Outdoor Activities
Program includes activities such as snorkeling, biking, swimming, sailing, horseback riding, and/or zip lining
Rugged Travel
Program incorporates bus rides and/or other extended travel
on bumpy roads or other rugged conditions
Camping
Program includes outdoor sleeping, typically in tents
Community Service and
Language Certification
Many of The Experiment in International Living’s summer abroad programs offer community service opportunities and/or formal language classes for participants, with the number of hours varying by program. Community service projects are designed
by local organizations and the individuals they serve and explore concepts such as community development, service learning,
and volunteerism in an international context.
Participants who successfully complete more than 10 hours of
community service will receive a community service certificate
from The Experiment after their return to the US.
articipants who successfully complete a four-week program
P
including formal language instruction will earn a certificate
noting how many hours of language classes were completed.
Programs with Community Service Opportunities
Programs with Language Certification
High Intensity (25 hours or more)
China: Cultural Traditions in the North (12–15 hours)
Argentina: Community Service and the Great Outdoors
(30–40 hours)
France: French Language and Culinary Traditions (12–15 hours)
Costa Rica: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Sustainability
(25–30 hours)
Japan: Language and Cultural Traditions (40 hours)
South Africa: Multiculturalism in an Urban and
Rural Society (20–30 hours)
Spain: Language and Cultural Traditions (40 hours)
Tanzania: Coastal and Maasai Cultures (35–50 hours)
Thailand: Buddhist Traditions and Contemporary Culture
(25–30 hours)
Italy: Language and Local Food Culture (9–10 hours)
Jordan: History, Politics, and Arabic Language (40 hours)
Other programs include less formal language instruction
without certification. See program components on each
program page.
Medium Intensity (10–24 hours)
Ecuador: The Galápagos Islands and the Andes
(10–15 hours)
Korea: Peace Studies (12–15 hours)
Mongolia: Nomadic and Urban Cultures (20–24 hours)
Spain: Contemporary and Historic Cultural Diversity
(15–20 hours)
Low Intensity (fewer than 10 hours)
Argentina: Photojournalism and Social Change (6–8 hours)
Japan: Language and Cultural Traditions (3–7 hours)
Jordan: History, Politics, and Arabic Language (4–6 hours)
Morocco: Multiculturalism in the Arab World (3–5 hours)
Nicaragua and Cuba: Arts and Social Change (3–5 hours)
Peru: Ancient and Contemporary Cultures (7–8 hours)
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Experiment Group Leaders
Each Experiment group is accompanied by two trained adult leaders. Maximizing the safety and health of all
participants is each group leader’s top priority.
Ongoing Support—From Program Start to Finish
Experimenters are met by their two group leaders at a specific meeting location in the designated port of departure in the US. Group leaders immediately start engaging participants in conversations and ice-breaker activities. Right away—and continuing throughout the in-country orientation—leaders work with Experimenters
to increase their knowledge of the host country and culture, develop communication skills, and cultivate new
attitudes and awareness.
During the course of the program, group leaders keep in close contact with homestay families, conduct group
excursions, and guide participants through discussions of and reflections on their experiences.
At the end of the program, leaders help participants evaluate their experiences and assist them in considering
how they can integrate what they learned about themselves and the world into their lives moving forward.
Group Leader Qualifications
Experiment group leaders are chosen for their leadership skills, particularly in working with young people, and
their cross-cultural experience and language competence. The Experiment selects group leaders who have the
following qualities:
•A
bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
•L
eadership experience working with high school
students
•E
xperience studying and living overseas
•C
ompetence in the language of the host country
Group leaders are responsible adults who support
Experimenters in a number of ways.
Learn more about Experiment group leaders at
experiment.org/group-leaders.
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Sarita Upadhyay—Costa Rica, Vietnam
A native of upstate New York, Sarita graduated from Cornell with a BS in natural and
environmental systems and is currently a graduate student at the University of California,
San Francisco. She has coordinated a teaching program in the Amazon in Ecuador, managed
logistics and tours for a travel company in Peru, and worked in Chicago at an urban sustainability-themed think tank. Sarita has traveled extensively in Asia and is a PADI-certified
Advanced Open Water Diver.
Ryan Rockmore—Spain, The Netherlands
Ryan was an Experimenter to Spain in 2005 and is returning for the third time as a leader for
The Experiment. Originally from Albany, New York, he holds a degree in Spanish education
from New York University. After college, Ryan was awarded a one-year Fulbright research
grant to Sevilla, Spain, and then completed an MA in dance anthropology at the University
of Roehampton, London. He currently teaches high school Spanish in Brooklyn and serves
as the faculty co-advisor for the school’s Gay-Straight Alliance.
Cortez Alexander—Jordan
Born and raised in Chicago, Cortez graduated from DePaul University with a major in international studies and a minor in Arabic studies. He studied intensive Arabic as a summer U.S.
State Department Critical Language Scholar in Morocco and spent an academic year at Koç
University in Istanbul. Cortez has worked as a program assistant with WorldChicago and as a
peer leader for World Learning’s Iraqi Youth Leadership Exchange and has served on the board
of directors of the Chicago nonprofit Dreams for Kids.
Allie Barnes—Japan, Thailand
Allie is a veteran Experiment leader, twice co-leading the Japan: Language and Cultural
Traditions program. A native of Indiana, she graduated from Earlham College with a BA in
art and minors in Japanese studies and theater arts. She lived in Sitka, Alaska, serving as an
AmeriCorps volunteer at a high school. Since fall 2014, Allie has been working toward her
MA in international education at SIT Graduate Institute in Vermont, where she has also
served as a program assistant for The Experiment.
Daniel Morales-Armstrong—Morocco
Daniel was born and raised in New York City. He holds a BA in psychology and criminal justice
from the University of Albany SUNY, a professional certificate in English language teaching
from SIT Graduate Institute, and an MA in education from Harvard. He has worked as the lead
administrator and advisor for college preparatory programs supporting high-achieving students
of color in the Bronx and for the past year has been living in Rabat, Morocco, teaching high
school and college students. Daniel was an Experimenter to Costa Rica in 2005.
Emily Robbins—Spain, Morocco, Jordan
Emily lives in Chicago, where she is a writer and translator of Arabic, Spanish, and Portuguese.
She holds a BA from Swarthmore College, a certificate of education from the University of
Pennsylvania, and an MFA from Washington University in St. Louis. She taught with Teach for
America and served as a 2008 Fulbright fellow in Syria—which inspired her first novel, A Word
for Love, forthcoming in 2016. Emily was an Experimenter to France in 2001, and has led four
Experiment programs in Morocco and Spain.
Health, Safety, and Security
The Experiment places the highest priority on health, safety, and security. Each program follows a comprehensive structure designed
to maximize the well-being of all participants while they engage in dynamic cross-cultural experiences. We have implemented
specific risk management strategies that include a 24-hour emergency on-call service and regular safety reviews. We hire and train
experienced adult group leaders and maintain longstanding partnerships with in-country offices to support each of our programs.
Because socioeconomic, political, environmental, and medical conditions vary widely across the more than 20 countries in which The
Experiment operates, health, safety, and security measures are specifically tailored to each location and to current circumstances.
Support in the areas of health, safety, and security includes:
•P
re-departure preparation. The Experiment helps participants prepare for their program throughout the pre-departure
process by providing sample itineraries, a student handbook, packing lists, travel logistics, and health guidelines that include
recommendations related to immunizations and medications.
• I n-country partners. Each Experiment group is supported by an extensive professional network of in-country resources such as
partner offices, international educators, homestay coordinators, in-country co-leaders, and program guides. Our partner offices
help us design each program and support our groups throughout the program period. These in-country professionals have
access to communications, healthcare, and transportation infrastructure to make sure each student receives the highest quality
attention and support.
•T
wo group leaders. Each Experiment group is accompanied by two trained adult leaders. Group leaders maintain ongoing
contact with all participants throughout the program and work collaboratively with our in-country partners and The Experiment
office in Vermont. For more information on Experiment group leaders, please see page 6.
•C
omprehensive in-country orientation. Each program begins with an in-country orientation. The orientation focuses on
increasing cultural knowledge—e.g., survival language skills and in-country norms—as well as developing participants’
cross-cultural communication skills and self-awareness, specifically within the context of the host country.
• Medical insurance. Each student is covered by the World Learning medical insurance policy, which provides accident and
sickness coverage and emergency evacuation coverage. Please note that this insurance is intended to act as a secondary policy
for participants who are already insured.
• Ongoing monitoring. The Experiment monitors US government advisories, considering those issued both by in-country
embassies and consulates and by the U.S. Department of State in Washington,
DC. The Experiment also consults with academic and nongovernmental organizations through the global networks of World Learning—The Experiment’s
parent organization—and receives strong support through World Learning’s
institutional risk management committee.
• Twenty-four-hour on-call support. The Experiment in International Living
is supported by professional staff based at The Experiment’s headquarters in
Brattleboro, Vermont. Our staff maintains a 24-hour on-call safety and emergency response system for any health, safety, or security concerns that might
arise throughout the program. The Experiment can be reached toll-free within
the US at 800 345-2929.
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The Homestay Experience
The homestay has been the cornerstone of Experiment
programs for more than 80 years. Living with a host family
facilitates cultural immersion in a deeply meaningful way
and provides a unique vantage point from which to better
understand and experience the host country. It is through
the homestay that Experimenters truly go from being a
visitor of the host country to a fully immersed participant.
Homestay Placements
Our in-country partners work year round to match participants with the best possible families. Staff facilitate an
extensive recruitment and vetting process that includes
home visits and, where permissible, background checks.
Host families attend orientation and pre-arrival sessions
prior to meeting their homestay student. The Experiment
also considers, as much as possible, the interests of both
the student and the local host families when identifying
homestay placements.
Experimenters are placed with families in the same region
or town, which allows for group get-togethers, meetings,
and cultural activities, and for participants to easily reach
their group leaders. The homestay experience is between
one and three weeks, depending on the program.
Other Accommodations
When not living with a homestay family, participants stay
in appropriate accommodations with their group and group
leaders. These accommodations may include guest houses,
educational institutions, hostels, small hotels, or camps.
See individual program pages in this catalog or on the website for program-specific details.
“The strong bond I created with my host family was the best part of my summer abroad
with The Experiment. My host mother and I would wake up early in the morning for my
Spanish language classes and community service. Over tea, we talked a lot about our
relatives, the obstacles we have overcome, and the culture of Salta. My dad, despite
working early in the day and late at night, was always home for lunch. He would greet
me with a hug as he asked, ‘¿Cómo estás m’ija?’ My host parents treated me as if I was
one of their own children: they made me feel comfortable and at home.”
Rachel Galano, Experimenter to Argentina
Warren Township High School
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Argentina: Community Service
and the Great Outdoors
Explore the landscapes of Argentina and engage in community service.
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Experience the natural beauty of Argentina through a month of
cultural immersion, outdoor activities, and community service. Begin your
Experiment in Argentina’s capital, where you and your group will explore
the city’s art galleries, theaters, and boulevards and start practicing your
Spanish. Sail by catamaran to the city’s surrounding islands to learn about
the region’s ecology and biosystems.
From Buenos Aires, travel to colonial Salta La Linda, capital of the Salta
province, on Argentina’s northern frontier, where you will spend two weeks
sharing day-to-day life with an Argentine host family. During this period,
work on a community service project, such as volunteering at a center for
children with developmental disabilities or helping to renovate an orphanage
or kindergarten. Participate in Spanish language classes with other members
of your group and learn about local gaucho culture. Go white-water rafting
or hike to a traditional ranch, where you will learn how to rope cattle. Continue on to the small town of Chicoana, just south of the city of Salta, where
you will assist in service activities such as painting or landscaping.
Then, embark on a week of outdoor exploration with your group and
leaders. Ride horseback, stay on a large ranch, and enjoy traditional barbecue. Travel through the mountains to the city of Cafayate, stopping at
famous rock formations. In Cafayate, take a bike tour of the city and then
ride to the sand dunes. Return to Buenos Aires for a final day of exploration and reflection.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Theme: Sustainability and
the Environment
Components: City stay, rural stay,
community service, homestay, language classes, language immersion,
hiking/trekking, outdoor activities,
rugged travel, camping
Orientation: Buenos Aires, 4 days
Homestay: Salta or Jujuy,* 14 days
Other Accommodations: Hotels,
campsite, hostels
Duration and Dates: 4 weeks,
June 29–July 26
Prerequisites: Spanish
(at least one year)
Depart/Return City: Miami
Program Fee: $6,000 (does not
include international airfare)
*Homestay locations can vary.
Note: Participants should bring a horseback riding
helmet with them on the program.
To learn more about this program, visit
experiment.org/ARS.
At the conclusion of this program, each participant
will earn a community service certificate noting how
many hours of community service s/he completed.
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Argentina: Photojournalism and Social Change
Develop your photography skills and practice your Spanish as you explore
Argentine society and social issues.
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Embark on a hands-on exploration of photojournalism in
Argentina by learning about the fundamentals of photography and the
art of storytelling through images. Attend digital photography classes and
photojournalism workshops, go on photo shoots, and visit local galleries. Become acquainted with issues relevant to a local community and,
using your own creativity and self-expression, choose a subject matter
and social issue to document through photographs. After learning how
to design your own pinhole camera under the guidance of an Argentine
artist, you and your group will conduct a series of photography workshops
for schoolchildren in under-served communities.
During your time in the capital, learn about Argentine history and culture,
visiting art museums, the Plaza de Mayo, and other important sites. Go
beyond Buenos Aires’ well-known locations and explore diverse neighborhoods throughout the city with your group. Meet with local youth to
gain a deeper understanding of Argentine life and contemporary social
issues.
Continue practicing your Spanish as you experience Argentine daily
life, food, and culture outside the capital city, particularly during the
program’s two-week homestay in Rafaela or Santa Fe. In addition to
daily activities with your host family—such as cooking traditional meals
together—go on excursions with your group around the area, including
to Rosario, one of Argentina’s largest cities and home to impressive examples of neoclassical architecture, retained
throughout the centuries. During this time,
work on your own photojournalism project,
focusing on a social, economic, political, or
cultural theme of your choice. Learn to use
photography as an effective tool to communicate and document the ideas, perspectives,
knowledge, and stories you gather throughout
your summer in Argentina. Near the end of the
program, your group will organize a collaborative exhibition of your photography.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Theme: Arts and Social Change
Components: City stay, community
service, homestay, language immersion, hiking/trekking, outdoor
activities
Orientation: Buenos Aires, 3–4 days
Homestay: Rafaela or Santa Fe,*
14–16 days
Other Accommodations: Hotels
Duration and Dates: 4 weeks,
June 28–July 25
Prerequisites: Spanish
(at least one year)
Depart/Return City: Miami or
Houston
Program Fee: $6,200 (does not
include international airfare)
*Homestay locations can vary.
To learn more about this program, visit
experiment.org/ARV.
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China: Cultural Traditions in the North
Learn or advance your skills in Chinese, and experience China’s rich history and ancient sites.
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The Experiment in International Living 2016 | www.experiment.org
Explore traditional and ancient sites in central and northern
China as you travel from the bustling city of Beijing to the grasslands of Inner Mongolia. Learn or expand upon your Chinese language skills through
formal language classes and conversations with Chinese people you
meet throughout the program. Experience contrasting Chinese-speaking
Han communities, particularly during the program’s two very different
homestays. Attend performances of Chinese folk music and acrobatics,
buy fresh food in local markets, and prepare a Chinese meal. Learn even
more about China through close interaction with Chinese peers.
The program begins in China’s capital city, Beijing, where you will immediately begin deepening your understanding of China’s history through visits
to important cultural and historical sites such as Tiananmen Square, the
Forbidden City, and the Great Wall. Travel to Inner Mongolia, where you’ll
meet herdsmen, enjoy Mongolian food, and learn about Mongolian culture. Your China Experiment continues in the city of Chengde, where you
will have Chinese lessons and a week-long homestay. Your group will then
be joined by Chinese high school students for part of the program.
Gain new and entirely different perspectives on daily life in China during
your stay in the Han rural village Buyang-zhuang, accompanied by your
Chinese peers. Hike up nearby mountains and participate in farming activities such as plowing. Continue on to the historic city of Qufu, the hometown of Confucius, before saying goodbye to your new Chinese friends.
The program concludes with three days of
exploration and reflection in Shanghai, where
you will visit a number of important sites such
as Yuyuan Garden, Old City, Longhua Temple,
the Museum of Contemporary Art, Nanjing
Road, or The Bund.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Theme: Language and Cultural
Discovery
Components: City stay, rural stay,
community service, homestay, language classes, language immersion,
hiking/trekking, outdoor activities,
rugged travel, camping
Orientation: Beijing, 3–4 days
Homestays: Chengde,* 6–8 days;
Buyang-zhuang,* 5 days
Other Accommodations: Hotels,
hostels, and gers
Duration and Dates: 4 weeks,
June 29–July 28
Depart/Return City: San Francisco
Program Fee: $5,400 (does not
include international airfare)
US citizens require a visa for this program.
Participants will work with The Experiment’s
visa agency to acquire and pay for a visa.
Please see our website for details.
*Homestay locations can vary.
To learn more about this program, visit
experiment.org/CHD.
At the conclusion of this program, each participant
will earn a language certificate noting how many
hours of language classes s/he completed.
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
15
China: Ethnic Minorities and Contemporary Culture
Discover the traditions and contemporary daily lives of China’s remote
minority cultures in the South.
16
The Experiment in International Living 2016 | www.experiment.org
Experience the rich cultural diversity of China in a program
that will introduce you to remote ethnic minority cultures in China,
including Miao, Dong, Buyi, and Zhuang communities. Learn about
the history of these cultures and current government policies affecting
these minority communities. Spend time in the beautiful and remote
rural landscape of southern China. Be introduced to field plowing and rice
production and learn about traditional crafts and trades such as papermaking, watercolor painting, batik, embroidery, weaving, and blacksmithing.
Contrast daily life in rural communities with life in the cities of Beijing,
Shanghai, Luoyang, and Xi’an.
Begin your exploration of China’s cultures in the capital city, Beijing, where
you’ll see important sites such as Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City,
and the Great Wall. Next, discover the rich history of Luoyang, one of the
four great ancient capitals of China. Visit temples and learn about the history of Buddhism in China. Spend time in Xi’an, one of China’s oldest cities.
Take Chinese language lessons and see important historical and cultural
sites, including the famous Terra-Cotta Warriors. Two homestay experiences—one in a city and one in a rural village—allow you to experience
daily life in China in very different contexts.
Throughout the program, you’ll attend performances of traditional dancing and singing and see stunning natural sites such as Huangguoshu Waterfall
National Park and Moon Hill. End your experience in China with three days
of exploration and reflection in Shanghai, where
you will visit a number of important sites such as
Yuyuan Garden, Old City, Longhua Temple, the
Museum of Contemporary Art, Nanjing Road,
and The Bund. Chinese high school students will
accompany you during a portion of the program.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Theme: Language and Cultural
Discovery
Components: City stay, rural stay,
community service, homestay, language
classes, language immersion, outdoor
activities, rugged travel
Orientation: Beijing, 3–4 days
Homestays: Guiyang,* 5–6 days;
Xijiang,* 5–6 days
Other Accommodations: Hotels and
hostels
Duration and Dates: 4 weeks,
June 29–July 28
Depart/Return City: San Francisco
Program Fee: $5,400 (does not include
international airfare)
US citizens require a visa for this program.
Participants will work with The Experiment’s
visa agency to acquire and pay for a visa. Please
see our website for details.
*Homestay locations can vary.
To learn more about this program, visit
experiment.org/CHE.
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
17
Costa Rica: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Sustainability
Explore Costa Rica’s extraordinary natural environments.
18
The Experiment in International Living 2016 | www.experiment.org
Hike and paddle through Costa Rica’s diverse regions and
ecosystems, and witness firsthand the country’s environmental sustainability
efforts. Spend time in nature reserves and national parks, kayak in the Golfo
Dulce, and observe the beauty of Costa Rica’s coastline. Visit rain forests
and learn about Costa Rica’s tropical birds, indigenous animals, and plants.
Learn about a local community’s ongoing conservation initiatives related to
wildlife. Visit a farm engaged in sustainable agriculture practices. An experienced Costa Rican naturalist will accompany your group throughout the
program.
Gain new and unique perspectives on Costa Rica’s culture and communities
while living for two weeks with a host family. Work alongside host family
members and other local residents on a community service project that
focuses on rural development and ecological sustainability. Practice your
Spanish through daily interactions with your host family. Enjoy nature hikes,
meals of gallo pinto, and cultural exchange activities with host family members and your Experiment group.
Throughout the program, you and your group will participate in outdoor,
experiential activities, including hiking and paddling. The program begins
and ends in the country’s capital, San José, where you can learn more about
Costa Rican history and culture with visits to museums and the San José
Central Market.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Theme: Sustainability and the
Environment
Components: City stay, rural stay,
community service, homestay, language immersion, hiking/trekking,
outdoor activities, rugged travel
Orientation: San José, 2–3 days
Homestay: Pejibaye, Santa María
de Dota, or Palmichal de Acosta,*
12–14 days
Other Accommodations: Hotels,
lodges, cabins
Duration and Dates: 4 weeks,
June 28–July 26
Depart/Return City: Miami
Program Fee: $5,950 (does not
include international airfare)
*Homestay locations can vary.
To learn more about this program, visit
experiment.org/CSS.
At the conclusion of this program, each participant
will earn a community service certificate noting how
many hours of community service s/he completed.
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
19
Ecuador: The Galápagos Islands and the Andes
Experience the richness of Ecuador’s unique ecology and wildlife.
20
The Experiment in International Living 2016 | www.experiment.org
Explore Ecuador’s various geographical areas: the Andes Mountains,
the upper Amazon basin, and the Galápagos archipelago. In each location, learn
about the richness of Ecuador’s ecology and wildlife and the importance of
preserving it. Investigate rare plant and animal species on the Galápagos Islands.
Go on excursions to mountains, hot springs, and a primary forest. Paddle into
the heart of the jungle on a guided canoe expedition and learn about indigenous
Ecuadorian traditions.
Your discovery of Ecuador’s ecology takes place throughout every stage of
the program. On your first excursion, see the rivers and diverse wildlife of the
Mindo Nambillo cloud forest. In the Amazon basin, see the stunning waterfalls
of the Baños and observe monkeys and exotic birds as you canoe down the
Napo River. During your homestay week, hike up from the first base camp to
the second shelter (16,400 feet above sea level) of Chimborazo, an inactive
volcano that reaches 20,800 feet above sea level, and then bike down through a
beautiful Andean landscape. The program’s four days in the Galápagos will give
you the opportunity to learn about the fragile ecology and unique biodiversity
of these remarkable islands. Cruise by night from island to island, swim alongside seals in lava grottoes, explore mangrove forests and flamingo lagoons, and
observe the courtship displays of rare tropical birds.
You’ll also experience Ecuadorian cities and learn about the country’s history
and cultures. See the gold-inlayed sixteenth-century churches and colonial
buildings of Quito’s Old Town. Ride a train to Devil’s Nose. Improve your Spanish
language skills through interactive lessons and
conversations with local residents. Riobamba,
a small city surrounded by the snow-capped
Andes, provides the setting for a weeklong
homestay. Share daily activities such as sports,
movies, and walks through town with your host
family. Learn how to prepare ceviche or empanadas and, working alongside a local nonprofit, participate in a three-day community service project.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Theme: Sustainability and the
Environment
Components: City stay, rural stay,
community service, homestay, language classes, language immersion,
hiking/trekking, outdoor activities,
rugged travel
Orientation: Quito, 2 days
Homestay: Riobamba,* 8–9 days
Other Accommodations: Hostels
or hotels
Duration and Dates: 4 weeks,
June 28–July 26
Prerequisites: Spanish (at least
one year)
Depart/Return City: Miami
Program Fee: $6,500 (does not include
international airfare)
*Homestay locations can vary.
To learn more about this program, visit
experiment.org/ECA.
At the conclusion of this program, each participant
will earn a community service certificate noting how
many hours of community service s/he completed.
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
21
France: French Culture and Regional Identity
Explore Paris and a French border community, and then spend time in a neighboring country. 22
The Experiment in International Living 2016 | www.experiment.org
Travel from Paris to a French border community and then
to a neighboring country as you explore regional cultures and identities.
The program commences with an immersive introduction to French
history and culture in Paris. Visit famous sites and museums—such as the
Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, or Louvre—throughout
the city. Explore diverse neighborhoods, navigate the metro, and sample
French cuisine in street-side cafés as you deepen your understanding of
Parisian culture and the city’s role within France.
Following orientation, travel with your group to a community in southern
France near the Italian border, to a French community near the German
border, or to a community near the Spanish border. Become fully immersed in the daily life of a French family during a 12-day homestay. Take
advantage of the opportunity—afforded by the homestay—to learn some
French and to gain a unique glimpse into French life and culture.
After saying goodbye to your host family, cross the French border with
your group into either Italy, Germany, or Spain to explore the landscapes
and culture of a French neighbor. Whether you’re strolling through picturesque villages in Alsace, exploring the French Riviera, or visiting beautiful Cinque Terre or Barcelona on the Mediterranean, you’ll gain deeper
insight into the diversity of France and the culture of an adjacent country.
To learn more about this program, visit
experiment.org/FRR.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Theme: Language and Cultural
Discovery
Components: City stay, culinary
training, homestay, language immersion, outdoor activities
Orientation: Paris, 2–4 days
Homestay: Saint-Raphaël,
Nîmes, or Nice (near the Italian
border); Saint-Dié-des-Vosges or
Nancy (near the German border);
Castres (near the Spanish border),*
11–12 days
Other Accommodations: Hotels
Duration and Dates: 3 weeks,
June 29–July 21
Depart/Return City: New York
Program Fee: $5,300 (does not
include international airfare)
*Homestay locations can vary.
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
23
France: French Language and
Culinary Traditions
Advance your French language skills and learn the art of French cooking.
24
The Experiment in International Living 2016 | www.experiment.org
Embark on a culinary and language journey through France.
Explore multiple regions of the country known for their culinary specialties.
Learn about French cheeses, sweets, and pastries. Take culinary classes
at the Institut Paul Bocuse in Lyon. Engage with professional chefs, meet
with farmers and producers, visit local markets, and learn how to cook
local recipes such as macarons and nougat.
Further enhance your knowledge of French language during a week of
formal language instruction. Put your language skills to use during the
program’s homestay, which ranges from 12 to 15 days.
The program begins and ends in Paris, giving you time to explore France’s
beautiful and historic capital. Together with your group, join local residents
in a café for a morning croissant before navigating the streets of Paris to
the Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, or Louvre. Sample
traditional baguettes, cheeses, and local specialties and enjoy a picnic on
the Seine’s famous left bank or in one of the city’s many parks. Explore
the Montmartre art district beneath the spires of Sacré-Coeur and dine at
tiny cafés that serve regional specialties from across France.
To learn more about this program, visit
experiment.org/FRC.
At the conclusion of this program, each participant
will earn a language certificate noting how many
hours of language classes s/he completed.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Theme: Language and Cultural
Discovery
Components: City stay, culinary
training, homestay, language classes,
language immersion, outdoor activities
Orientation: Paris, 2–4 days
Homestay: Les Baux-de-Provence,
Pierrelatte, Vannes, Saint-Malo,
Nantes, or Blois,* 12–15 days
Other Accommodations: Hotels,
manoir (manor)
Duration and Dates: 4 weeks,
June 28–July 26
Prerequisites: French (at least one
year)
Depart/Return City: New York
Program Fee: $7,500 (does not include
international airfare)
*Homestay locations can vary.
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
25
France: Painting and Photography
in Paris and Provence
Develop your creative talents while experiencing France’s artistic sites and heritage.
26
The Experiment in International Living 2016 | www.experiment.org
Embark on a creative exploration of French art and culture,
from the “City of Light” to the French countryside. Visit galleries and
world-renowned museums—such as the Musée d’Orsay and the Louvre—
and have drawing, painting, and photography sessions under the guidance
of a French artist. Trace the footsteps of the famous artists who have
been inspired by the region of Provence, including Cézanne and Van
Gogh. Learn the art of Provençal watercolor, and fill a canvas with your
own impressions of Provence’s landscapes and extraordinary beauty. Visit
photo exhibits in the National Museum of Modern Art in Paris, set up a
photo shoot in Père Lachaise or the Belleville Market, and explore Paris’s
arrondissements with a French photojournalist.
During the homestay period in Les Baux-de-Provence, meet with local artists and craftsmen, participate in a pottery workshop, and enjoy
regional food, while becoming fully immersed in the daily life of a French
family and community. Take day excursions with your host family or Experiment group to nearby cities of historical and artistic significance, such
as Marseille, Avignon, and/or Arles. You’ll also create a carnet de voyage
(travel book) with assistance from a French artist. As your artistic journey
unfolds, take advantage of continuous opportunities to enhance your
French language skills and knowledge of French culture.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Theme: Arts and Social Change
Components: City stay, homestay,
language immersion, outdoor
activities
Orientation: Paris, 2–4 days
Homestay: Les Baux-de-Provence,*
13–15 days
Other Accommodations: Hotels
Duration and Dates: 4 weeks,
June 28–July 26
Prerequisites: French (at least
one year)
Depart/Return City: New York
Program Fee: $6,600 (does not
include international airfare)
*Homestay locations can vary.
Note: Participants should bring a working digital camera with them on the
program. A drawing kit will be supplied once in France.
To learn more about this program, visit
experiment.org/FRD.
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
27
Germany: Contemporary Politics
and the European Union
Spend time in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands as you explore German politics,
contemporary youth culture, and the European Union.
28
The Experiment in International Living 2016 | www.experiment.org
Gain fascinating insight into the European Union, a
Nobel Peace Prize–winning institution, and the role Germany has played
in advancing peace, democracy, and human rights in Europe. Study
Germany’s political system and get a taste of German life in Berlin. Visit
the major seats of EU governance in Brussels and discuss youth issues
in Bonn. Attend workshops that explore topics related to peacekeeping,
anti-discrimination, politics, and the EU’s institutional structure.
As you travel from north to south, and across national borders, you will
spend time in Berlin, Niederalteich, Brussels, Bonn, Munich, and Maastricht. The program begins with a six-day stay in Berlin that includes
German language instruction and a meeting with a member of the
German Bundestag. Continue on to Bavaria, where you will share daily
life with a German family during a homestay in Niederalteich and attend
school with German students. Spend a day exploring the city of Munich
with your group.
Continue on to Brussels, where you will visit an important EU institution
and international NGO and gain important insight into how the EU works.
Participate in a youth-rights workshop in Bonn and discuss youth issues in
Germany and around the world with “Youth for Europe” members. Excursion highlights include a daylong visit to the 2,000-year-old city of Cologne; a boat ride on the river Rhine; and visits to the UN Campus in Bonn,
Deutsche Welle TV, and Haus der Geschichte. Cross the border into the
Netherlands for a full-day excursion in the
historic city of Maastricht, where the Treaty
on European Union was signed. The program
concludes in Frankfurt.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Theme: Peace, Politics, and
Human Rights
Components: City stay, rural stay,
homestay, language classes, language immersion
Orientation: Berlin, 6 days
Homestay: Niederalteich,*
10–12 days
Other Accommodations: Hostels
Duration and Dates: 4 weeks,
June 29–July 28
Depart/Return City: New York
Program Fee: $6,400 (does not
include international airfare)
*Homestay locations can vary.
To learn more about this program, visit
experiment.org/GEH.
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
29
Ireland: Irish Culture and Youth Empowerment
Experience Ireland’s culture, major cities, and daily life while acquiring skills in leadership.
30
The Experiment in International Living 2016 | www.experiment.org
Begin the program in the historic city of Cork, where you
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
will have orientation and skills-building workshops focused on leadership
and youth empowerment. Explore Ireland’s countryside, visit the Blarney
Stone and the historic town of Cobh, and meet with Irish young people
who have brought about positive change in their communities. Then, depart Cork for your homestay in County Tipperary, where you will experience
Irish daily life and participate in a service project in your host community.
Share in the daily activities of your host family to better acclimate to Irish
life and culture.
Theme: Peace, Politics, and
Human Rights
A highlight of the program is attending the Albert Schweitzer Leadership
for Life Conference on the National University of Ireland campus in Maynooth. The conference brings together more than 300 youth from Ireland
and around the world for a week of intensive learning, development, and
skills-building around leadership. During the conference, you will complete
modules of the Leadership for Life program, learning how to help enact
societal and personal change through core social skills including selfawareness, collaboration, problem solving, empathy, and relationship building.
During the conference, you will also work on a team project investigating
local, community, and global issues. You will be awarded a certificate upon
completion of the modules.
Other Accommodations: Hotels,
university dormitory
Components: City stay, rural stay,
community service, homestay,
outdoor activities
Orientation: Cork, 4 days
Homestay: Clonmel,* 5–6 days
Duration and Dates: 3 weeks,
July 16–August 7
Depart/Return City: New York
Program Fee: $5,300 (does not
include international airfare)
*Homestay locations can vary. Students are
paired (i.e., two students per host family).
Conclude your program with time in Dublin. Visit cathedrals, Georgian
squares and townhouses, and places of historical and political significance
as your group reflects on your extraordinary
summer in Ireland.
To learn more about this program, visit
experiment.org/IRP.
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
31
Italy: Language and Local Food Culture
Experience Italy’s local foods and receive Italian language training in Tuscany.
32
The Experiment in International Living 2016 | www.experiment.org
Explore local foods and the Italian communities, traditions,
and cultures to which they are connected. Spend several days in a gorgeous
Tuscan town, where you will take Italian language lessons and explore the
art and landscape of the surrounding area. Focus on the Slow Food movement and the importance of seasonal, organic, and locally grown food
of different regions. Spend eight days at a prestigious cooking school in
Asti, preparing traditional Italian dishes under the guidance of a skilled
chef. The program’s culinary excursions include visiting organic farms, the
famous University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, and an agrigelateria
to see how artisanal ice cream is made.
Continue to practice your Italian language skills as you share daily life with
an Italian family during the program’s homestay. Use your new language
skills to buy fresh food in outdoor markets and to engage in daily interactions with host family members and other Italians. Discover the stories
behind the unique foods of different regions of Italy while having handson culinary experiences. Whether it’s sampling homemade chocolates,
conducting olive oil tastings, or making pizza, the program is designed to
deepen your understanding of the intimate links between food, sustainability, and culture, within the context of Italy and beyond.
Conclude the program with two days of exploration and reflection in Venice.
Visits to Rome, with its beautiful fountains and monuments, Vatican City,
Florence, Piedmont, and other areas of cultural and historic significance in
Italy are incorporated into the program.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Theme: Sustainability and the
Environment
Components: City stay, rural stay,
culinary training, homestay, language
classes, language immersion, outdoor activities
Orientation: Rome, 3 days
Homestay: Ravenna, Desenzano,
or Naples,* 12 days
Other Accommodations: Hotels
Duration and Dates: 4 weeks,
June 27–July 24
Depart/Return City: New York
Program Fee: $7,100 (does not
include international airfare)
*Homestay locations can vary.
To learn more about this program, visit
experiment.org/ITC.
At the conclusion of this program, each participant
will earn a language certificate noting how many
hours of language classes s/he completed.
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
33
Japan: Japanimation—Anime and Manga
Experience contemporary Japanese art forms.
34
The Experiment in International Living 2016 | www.experiment.org
Explore Japanese culture through the arts of anime and
manga. Work with professional artists who have experience in the Japanese
anime and manga industries and Japanese student animators in Tokyo.
Take introductory classes in character development, animation, manga
techniques, and voiceover recording. Immerse yourself in Japan’s vibrant
pop culture through visits to museums and neighborhoods synonymous
with “Cool Japan.” Gain in-depth knowledge of the anime industry and
tips to improve your manga. Develop skills to design and animate your
own character.
Deepen your perspectives on Japanese culture by living with a host family
on the northern island of Hokkaido, Japan’s largest prefecture and home
to national parks, dense forests, mountains, and the Ainu culture. Enjoy
meals of miso ramen, visit a local school and Buddhist temple, and study
the art of Japanese calligraphy as you share daily life with your host family.
The program begins and ends in Tokyo, one of the world’s most populous
cities. Wander through the busy market streets of Ameyoko, ride the escalators at Ginza’s skyscraping department stores, and consult the oracle
at Sensō-ji, the oldest temple in Tokyo. Through a diversity of program
activities—small-group language lessons and activities with Japanese
teachers; time with Japanese students; visits to shrines, temples, and hot
springs; participation in a Japanese tea ceremony; and others—you will
gain in-depth insight into historical and contemporary Japan.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Theme: Arts and Social Change
Components: City stay, homestay,
language classes, language immersion
Orientation: Tokyo, 3 days
Homestay: Tomakomai, Otaru,
Bihoro, or Nanae,* 7–9 days
Other Accommodations: Hotels
and/or hostels
Duration and Dates: 4 weeks,
June 27–July 25
Depart/Return City: Los Angeles
Program Fee: $6,800 (does not
include international airfare)
*Homestay locations can vary.
To learn more about this program, visit
experiment.org/JLN.
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
35
Japan: Language and Cultural Traditions
Learn or expand your Japanese through this language- and culture-focused program.
36
The Experiment in International Living 2016 | www.experiment.org
Study Japanese, live with a host family, and explore the
cultural and historical sights of Tokyo, Sapporo, and Kyoto. While in
Sapporo, receive 40 hours of formal language instruction—provided at
three language levels—in small-group, interactive formats. Practice reading
and writing hiragana and kanji with Japanese teachers. Have language
exchanges with local students. Focus on communication skills for everyday
life and your upcoming homestay. Take time to sample local delicacies,
order gyoza and sushi at local restaurants, explore Japan’s natural beauty,
and learn about the indigenous Ainu culture of Hokkaido. Visit the homes
of local college students to learn about Japanese home life and cook together.
Further enhance your Japanese and deepen your understanding of culture
and family life in Japan through the program’s homestay. Learn to cook
homemade soba noodles or to roll your own sushi with your host parents
and hang out with your host siblings. Take advantage of opportunities to
learn the art of Japanese flower arrangement or the tea ceremony. Activities during this time could also include visiting a local school, practicing
Zen meditation, or participating in a traditional festival.
Your exploration through Japan continues as you spend several days
exploring the temples, markets, and shrines of ancient Kyoto. Hike to Nijō
Castle, home to the ancient imperial court, and visit the golden-walled
Kinkaku-ji temple. The program begins and ends in Tokyo, where you and
your group explore the famous sites, museums, and diverse neighborhoods
of one of the world’s most populous cities.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Theme: Language and Cultural
Discovery
Components: City stay, community
service, homestay, language classes,
language immersion
Orientation: Tokyo, 3 days
Homestay: Bihoro, Nanae,
Tomakomai, or Otaru,* 7–9 days
Other Accommodations: Hotels,
hostels, pensions, and/or temple
stay
Duration and Dates: 4 weeks,
June 27–July 25
Depart/Return City: Los Angeles
Program Fee: $6,700 (does not
include international airfare)
*Homestay locations can vary.
To learn more about this program, visit
experiment.org/JAL.
At the conclusion of this program, each participant
will earn a language certificate noting how many
hours of language classes s/he completed.
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
37
Jordan: History, Politics, and Arabic Language
Spend your summer learning or advancing your Arabic language skills while exploring
Jordan’s social, political, and environmental landscapes.
38
The Experiment in International Living 2016 | www.experiment.org
Immediately begin practicing Arabic and experiencing
Jordanian history, culture, and contemporary day-to-day life as you
explore Jordan’s capital city, Amman, with other members of your group
during an interactive orientation. Quickly deepen your immersion in Jordanian culture as you commence your Amman homestay experience. For
four weeks, you will gain tremendous insights into Jordan’s culture and
daily life, and you can take advantage of around-the-clock opportunities
and real-world situations to practice, with your host family and neighbors,
the language you’re learning in the classroom. Receive a total of 40 hours
of formal Arabic language instruction in small classes composed of Experiment participants only.
Expand your understanding and knowledge of present-day Jordan through
thematic workshops and discussions on Jordanian politics, Islam, democracy, human rights, the role of refugees, and multiculturalism. Experience
firsthand ongoing debates surrounding Jordan’s environmental and natural resource challenges. Through cultural activities, such as tea nights and
cooking classes, take part in Jordan’s culinary culture. Complete four to six
hours of community service, partnering on a local development project.
Continue advancing your Arabic while exploring Jordan’s ancient history
and present-day resources, cultures, and communities outside of Amman.
Spend time with a Bedouin community, one of Jordan’s most distinct
and well-known groups. Visit the Dead Sea, the most spectacular natural
landscape in Jordan. Explore Petra, a treasure
of the ancient world and a UNESCO World
Heritage site, and visit the Rocky Mountains of
Wadi Rum. The program begins and concludes
in Amman.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Theme: Peace, Politics, and
Human Rights
Components: City stay, rural stay,
community service, homestay, language
classes, language immersion, outdoor
activities, rugged travel, camping
Orientation: Amman, 2-3 days
Homestays: Amman,* 22 days; rural
Bedouin community,* 2–3 days
Other Accommodations: Hotels and
one night of camping at Wadi Rum
Duration and Dates: 4 weeks,
June 28–July 27
Depart/Return City: New York
Program Fee: $5,800 (does not include
international airfare)
US citizens require a visa for this program;
students will purchase the visa on arrival in
Jordan. Please see our website for details.
*Homestay locations can vary.
To learn more about this program, visit
experiment.org/JOL.
At the conclusion of this program, each participant
will earn a language certificate noting how many
hours of language classes s/he completed.
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
39
Korea: Peace Studies
Explore themes of peace and reconciliation in South Korea.
40
The Experiment in International Living 2016 | www.experiment.org
Journey through Korea’s past and present during a summer
of peace studies and cultural immersion. The program’s different components and excursions to different regions will provide you with diverse
perspectives on contemporary life in Korea and the country’s ongoing
challenges related to peace and development. Deepen your knowledge of
Korea’s socio-political development by engaging with historians, economists, and prominent members of civil society.
Throughout the program, you will be immersed in contemporary South
Korean life and culture. Following the multiday orientation in Seoul—the
country’s political, economic, and cultural center—live with a Korean
host family in Jeonju or Busan, participating in their daily activities. Learn
about religious traditions and the art of meditation alongside Buddhist
monks during the program’s temple stay. Near the end of the program,
experience the beautiful landscapes, coastal towns, and national parks of
mountainous Gangwon province during an exploration of the country’s
northeast.
The program includes formal Korean language instruction, visits to
important historical and cultural sites such as palaces and museums, a
community service project arranged by a local organization, and numerous
opportunities to experience Korean food and popular culture.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Theme: Peace, Politics, and
Human Rights
Components: City stay, rural stay,
community service, homestay, language classes, language immersion,
hiking/trekking, outdoor activities
Orientation: Seoul, 7 days
Homestay: Jeonju or Busan,*
7–10 days
Other Accommodations: Guest
house, temple, dormitory, and hostel
Duration and Dates: 4 weeks,
June 29–July 27
Depart/Return City: San Francisco
Program Fee: $6,000 (does not include
international airfare)
*Homestay locations can vary.
To learn more about this program, visit experiment.org/KRS.
At the conclusion of this program, each participant
will earn a community service certificate noting
how many hours of community service s/he completed.
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
41
Mexico: Marine Biology on the Baja Peninsula
Explore marine ecosystems and coastal life in contrasting natural environments.
42
The Experiment in International Living 2016 | www.experiment.org
Compare and contrast different marine environments
and regional cultures as you travel from the coastal city of La Paz—situated
between desert mountains and the Gulf of California—to the Yucatán
Peninsula. Meet with marine biologists, researchers, and guides in La Paz.
Learn about the history of human and animal habitation on the peninsula.
Snorkel among coral reefs, observing sea lions in their natural habitats,
on the beautiful island of Espíritu Santo, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
During this period, you will live with a Mexican family, which will open
amazing windows into Mexican culture. Take advantage of continuous opportunities to practice your Spanish while exploring the region’s incredible
natural environments and regional culture with host family members.
As the program moves to the Yucatán in southeastern Mexico—from
desert to jungle—you will experience a completely different natural environment. Learn about pearl farming on the island of Cozumel and witness
ongoing ecosystem restoration efforts through the installation of artificial
reefs. Take a late-night beach walk to watch giant sea turtles laying eggs
in the sand. Travel to Akumal beach for a guided snorkeling excursion
with sea turtles and manta rays. Discover the region’s strong Maya cultural
influence, and visit the Maya archaeological ruins at Coba or Tulum.
The program begins and ends in Mexico City, giving you time to deepen
your knowledge of Mexico’s culture, history, and food from the vantage
point of the country’s expansive capital city. Visit the Zócalo, the Catedral
Metropolitana de la Asunción de María, or the Frida Kahlo Museum, or
take a walking tour of the old city.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Theme: Sustainability and the
Environment
Components: City stay, rural stay,
homestay, language immersion,
hiking/trekking, outdoor activities,
rugged travel, camping
Orientation: Mexico City, 3–4 days
Homestay: La Paz or Cozumel,*
11–12 days
Other Accommodations: Hotels,
eco-lodge, ranch
Duration and Dates: 3 weeks,
July 5–July 28
Prerequisites: One year of Spanish
(recommended). Comfort in the ocean
and water is required.
Depart/Return City: Mexico City
Program Fee: $4,900 (does not include
international airfare)
Participants of The Experiment’s Mexico program who are minors must travel with parental
consent documents. Please see our website and
contact The Experiment for more information.
*Homestay locations can vary.
To learn more about this program, visit
experiment.org/MXM.
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
43
Mongolia: Nomadic and Urban Cultures
Experience Mongolia’s nomadic traditions and rapid urbanization.
44
The Experiment in International Living 2016 | www.experiment.org
Experience nomadic culture, ancient traditions, and contemporary
issues in Mongolia. Participate in the daily life of a nomadic pastoral
community and discover how nomadic traditions inform life in urban
areas. Visit important Buddhist pilgrimage sites, take lessons in traditional
Mongolian arts, and learn how to live in a ger—a round, felt-lined tent.
At the famous Naadam festival, the biggest national festival in Mongolia,
observe competitions in horsemanship, wrestling, and archery.
During your orientation in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital, you’ll experience urban Mongolia, take lessons in throat singing and morin khuur
playing, and begin your Mongolian language study. In the mountainous
Hovsgol province, complete a community service project such as painting or cleaning a school. Trek on horseback to the ancient, pristine Lake
Hovsgol, the second largest freshwater lake in Asia.
Next, the program will take you to Mongolia’s open grasslands to experience rural life during a homestay with a nomadic pastoral herder family.
Help your host family tend livestock and learn from them how to cook
traditional meals, prepare various dairy products, and ride horseback.
Your Mongolia Experiment will draw to a close at the edge of the Gobi
Desert, where you’ll see Buddhist temples and meditation caves and learn
about Danzan Ravjaa, known as the Lama of the Gobi, at the important
pilgrimage site Hamriin Hiid. Venture into the desert on camels and spend
the night sleeping in a ger under the desert sky.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Theme: Language and Cultural
Discovery
Components: City stay, rural stay,
culinary training, community service,
homestay, language classes, language immersion, hiking/trekking,
outdoor activities, rugged travel,
camping
Orientation: Ulaanbaatar, 3–4 days
Homestay: Delgerkhaan,* 10 days
Other Accommodations: Hotels,
camps, and gers
Duration and Dates: 4 weeks,
June 29–July 27
Depart/Return City: Los Angeles
Program Fee: $5,200 (does not
include international airfare)
*Homestay locations can vary.
To learn more about this program, visit
experiment.org/MNN.
At the conclusion of this program, each participant
will earn a community service certificate noting how
many hours of community service s/he completed.
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
45
Morocco: Multiculturalism in the Arab World
Discover the rich history and cultures of Morocco.
46
The Experiment in International Living 2016 | www.experiment.org
Experience Amazigh and Arab cultures in Morocco and
learn about the nation’s history and modern society. Take formal Moroccan
Arabic (Darija) language lessons; learn to cook a traditional Moroccan meal;
and study traditional Moroccan arts such as music and dance, basket weaving, and tablet writing. Explore ancient ruins and the cities of Rabat, Meknes,
Fes, and Marrakech. Cross the Atlas Mountains and go trekking across the
dunes of the Sahara.
The program begins in Morocco’s capital, Rabat, where you’ll explore the
city’s diverse neighborhoods, street markets, and ancient medina. Local
experts will introduce you and your group to aspects of current Moroccan
society, including religion and gender roles. Your Moroccan Experiment
continues to unfold as you spend two weeks in a rural community, immersed
in the daily lives of a Moroccan homestay family. Share couscous and mint
tea with your family and play soccer with local youth. During this period,
you and your group will participate in a community service project such as
planting trees, painting a school, or teaching English to local children.
Numerous excursions allow you to see several of Morocco’s cities. Meet
with artists in Fes and see storytellers, snake charmers, acrobats, and other
street performers in Marrakech’s famous Jemaa el-Fna Square. Explore
ancient port cities along Morocco’s coast and enjoy a picnic at the ruins of
the first-century Roman city Volubilis. You’ll also have opportunities to experience Morocco’s natural environments. Stroll sandy beaches, hike in the
Todgha Gorge, and visit remote villages in the
High and Middle Atlas Mountains. On an excursion to the Sahara, ride in a camel caravan
and watch the sun set behind the dunes.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Theme: Language and Cultural
Discovery
Components: City stay, rural stay,
culinary training, community service,
homestay, language classes, language immersion, hiking/trekking,
outdoor activities, rugged travel,
camping
Orientation: Rabat, 5 days
Homestay: Oulmes,* 2 weeks
Other Accommodations: Hotels,
hostels, and camps
Duration and Dates: 4 weeks,
June 29–July 26
Depart/Return City: New York
Program Fee: $5,600 (does not
include international airfare)
*Homestay locations can vary.
To learn more about this program, visit
experiment.org/MAM.
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
47
The Netherlands: Gender Equality
and Human Rights
Learn about equality and social justice movements—specifically around LGBTQ and
gender issues—while experiencing Dutch culture and contemporary life.
48
The Experiment in International Living 2016 | www.experiment.org
Discover the Netherlands’ longstanding history of upholding
and fighting for human rights and social justice and immerse yourself in Dutch
culture. Gain new perspectives on Dutch approaches to gender issues, sexuality and sex education, and LGBTQ rights. Together with your group, spend
time in The Hague, visiting the Peace Palace and the International Court of
Justice, and stop by Rutgers WPF in Utrecht—one of the oldest organizations
promoting sex education in the Netherlands and throughout the world. Also
visit Rotterdam, Europe’s largest port city and the historic site of Dutch emigration to the US. While there, witness the city’s modern architecture, strong
working-class roots, and multicultural vibe, and meet with LGBTQ youth. Participate in a spoken-word workshop and experience how poetry and spoken
word can serve as powerful tools in the struggle for equality and social justice.
Deepen your immersion in Dutch culture and share in the daily lives of your
homestay family in Amsterdam. At different stages of the program, attend
workshops on gender and transgender issues, marriage rights, and other social
justice topics while visiting a fascinating array of organizations engaged in
these areas. Finally, bask in the wind, water, and nature of Friesland during
your rural stay in Sneek, a town beloved for its outdoor activities. Try your
hand at the traditional Frisian sport of fierljeppen and explore one of the
province’s many lakes in a skûtsje, a traditional Frisian sailboat. The program
begins and concludes in Amsterdam.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Theme: Peace, Politics, and
Human Rights
Components: City stay, rural stay,
homestay, language classes, language
immersion, outdoor activities
Orientation: Amsterdam, 5 days
Homestays: Amsterdam,* 16–18
days; Friesland,* 3 days
Other Accommodations: Hostels
Duration and Dates: 3 weeks,
June 28–July 20
Depart/Return City: New York
Program Fee: $5,800 (does not
include international airfare)
*Homestay locations can vary.
This program is designed for participants who
are currently engaged in LGBTQ and allied
communities and are comfortable discussing
topics related to gender and sexuality.
To learn more about this program, visit
experiment.org/NLP.
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
49
Nicaragua and Cuba: Arts and Social Change
Experience the arts and cultures of Nicaragua and Cuba through a comparative lens.
50
The Experiment in International Living 2016 | www.experiment.org
Delve into the creative arts in Nicaragua and Cuba and
examine how people in both countries have used the arts to promote
social transformations. In Nicaragua, where the program is based, experience daily life and culture from several different perspectives. Live
with a host family in the working-class Máximo Jerez neighborhood of
Managua, where supporters of the Sandinista Revolution lived during the
1980s. Witness how Nicaraguans today are using the arts for economic
sustainability and to express their aspirations for the future. Participate in
workshops and visit artists’ studios and communities as you learn about
art, poetry, and music as mediums for social change.
Stay in the coffee-producing rural community of San Ramón, in the
mountains outside of Matagalpa. While there, experience a second
homestay, with a campesino family, and witness the campo-city differences in Nicaragua. Visit a coffee cooperative and hike through the lush
vegetation of this cloud-covered area. Create “socio-dramas” with members of a community organization, make jewelry with seeds, take a poetry
workshop, and learn how to prepare multiple dishes incorporating exotic
fruits from Nicaragua.
Your journey continues as you travel with your group to Cuba. Learn
about Cuba’s significance in Latin American history and the multiple
connections between Cuba and Nicaragua. Spend a comparative week
in the city of Havana exploring the arts in a different social and cultural
context. Visit associations of young artists
and African-Cuban community-based arts
centers. Participate in a community workshop
transformation project (Talleres de Transformación) and dialog with Cubans about their
aspirations. Learn about Ernest Hemingway’s
life in Cuba at his home in Cojimar and visit
other historical sites in Old Havana.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Theme: Arts and Social Change
Components: City stay, rural stay,
community service, homestay, language classes, language immersion,
hiking/trekking, outdoor activities,
rugged travel
Orientation: Managua, 3 days
Homestays: Managua,* 10 days;
San Ramón, Matagalpa,* 7 days
Other Accommodations: Hotels
Duration and Dates: 4 weeks,
June 29–July 28
Prerequisites: Spanish (at least
two years)
Depart/Return City: Miami
Program Fee: $5,800 (does not
include international airfare)
*Homestay locations can vary.
To learn more about this program, visit
experiment.org/NUA.
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
51
Peru: Ancient and Contemporary Cultures
Journey across the land of the Inca and explore Peru’s historical and contemporary communities.
52
The Experiment in International Living 2016 | www.experiment.org
Experience the diverse communities, historical complexity,
and geographic diversity of Peru during a month of cultural exploration.
Immediately begin learning about Peru’s history and different ethnic
communities during the orientation in Lima—Peru’s capital and largest
city, overlooking the Pacific coast—while visiting the Larco Museum,
the city’s colonial areas, and other important sites.
In the city of Trujillo, in northern Peru, spend two weeks living with a
Peruvian family. Once the center of Chimú culture, Trujillo is known as
the capital of marinera dance and the land of the Peruvian Paso horse.
During this period, you and your group will have music and dance workshops while learning about the unique culture, Afro-Peruvian rhythms,
and artistic heritage of the region. Meet with local students to engage in
English-Spanish language exchanges and go on an excursion to Cajamarca to explore pre-Inca archaeological sites and artifacts. During your
daylong excursion to Pacasmayo harbor, work with local residents on a
volunteer project, such as helping to paint and repair community buildings or working at a soup kitchen.
Your Peruvian exploration continues as you travel to Cuzco, a fascinating
mix of pre-Columbian and colonial history, art, and architecture and long
considered the archaeological capital of the Americas. Visit the temple
Qurikancha, the walled complex Saqsaywaman, and the archaeological
site Tambomachay. From Ollantaytambo—an ancient Incan mountain
town—take a two-hour train ride to Machu
Picchu, the “Lost City of the Incas,” to experience one of the most treasured historical and
archaeological sites in the world.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Theme: Language and Cultural
Discovery
Components: City stay, rural stay,
community service, homestay,
language immersion, hiking/trekking,
outdoor activities, rugged travel
Orientation: Lima, 5 days
Homestay: Trujillo,* 15 days
Other Accommodations: Hotels
Duration and Dates: 4 weeks,
July 4–August 1
Prerequisites: Spanish (at least one
year)
Depart/Return City: Miami
Program Fee: $5,400 (does not
include international airfare)
*Homestay locations can vary.
To learn more about this program, visit
experiment.org/PER.
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
experiment@worldlearning.org
53
South Africa: Multiculturalism in an Urban
and Rural Society
Explore South Africa’s diversity, complex history, and contemporary realities.
54
The Experiment in International Living 2016 | www.experiment.org
Embark on an immersive journey through multicultural South
Africa. Learn about the country’s historic transition from apartheid to
democracy, its cultural diversity and arts, and its ongoing efforts to advance civil society and human rights. Visit key historical sites, such as the
Apartheid Museum and Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 18
years in prison.
You will witness ongoing community development efforts and work on
service projects with local residents. Projects could include assisting at a
local school or soup kitchen or helping to establish a community vegetable garden. Receive Afrikaans language lessons and participate in handson workshops focused on dance, music, and drumming.
The program’s broad geographic reach uncovers South Africa’s numerous
cultures, languages, and landscapes. The program begins at the southern
tip of the country, in Cape Town, journeys east to historic Grahamstown
for the city’s world-renowned arts festival, and spends two weeks in
Kranshoek, an Afrikaans-speaking Griqua community, where you will live
with a host family. As the program travels north, you will experience the
KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, Mpumalanga, and a three-day safari in Kruger National Park. The program concludes in South Africa’s largest city,
Johannesburg.
To learn more about this program, visit
experiment.org/ZAM.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Theme: Language and Cultural
Discovery
Components: City stay, rural stay,
community service, homestay, language classes, language immersion,
hiking/trekking, outdoor activities,
rugged travel
Orientation: Cape Town, 4 days
Homestay: Kranshoek,* 10–12 days
Other Accommodations: Guest
houses, dormitories, lodges, and
chalets/houses
Duration and Dates: 4 weeks,
June 29–July 30
Depart/Return City: New York
Program Fee: $6,200 (does not
include international airfare)
*Homestay locations can vary.
At the conclusion of this program, each participant
will earn a community service certificate noting how
many hours of community service s/he completed.
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
experiment@worldlearning.org
55
Spain: Contemporary and Historic
Cultural Diversity
Explore multiculturalism, coexistence, and diversity in historical and present-day Spain.
56
The Experiment in International Living 2016 | www.experiment.org
Trace the historical and cultural influences of Spain’s different
religious and ethnic communities while traveling from Madrid to Spain’s
southern coast, then to Basque Country in the north and ultimately to Catalonia. Learn about the coexistence of Christians, Jews, and Muslims from
historical perspectives, and discuss the conditions necessary to foster a tolerant, multicultural society in Spain today. Consider key issues presently being
debated across Spain, such as those related to immigration, environmental
conservation, community development, peace, and human rights.
Your journey commences with an immersive orientation in Madrid and Toledo.
Visit famous sites and museums throughout the capital, including the Prado
Museum and the Bourbon district. Explore Madrid’s diverse neighborhoods,
meet with Spanish youth at a Jewish community center, and practice your
Spanish language skills. Alongside a group of Spanish youth, visit famous sites
and museums throughout Toledo, including the Catedral Primada Santa María
de Toledo. Become better acquainted with the historical and cultural influences
important in laying the groundwork for multiculturalism and tolerance in Spain.
Following orientation, live with a host family in a small community along
Spain’s southern coast. Visit Arab baths and Roman ruins. Relax on the
beach with members of your host family or Experiment group. Following the
homestay, you will travel to Basque Country for a week of regional exploration
in the north; activities will include community service in the mornings and cultural exchanges with local teenagers in the afternoons. Your journey through
multicultural Spain concludes with a stay in
the heart of Catalonia. Visit famous sites and
museums throughout Barcelona, including the
Olympic Harbor and the Picasso Museum. See
the architecture of Gaudí and sample tapas on
La Rambla as your knowledge of and experience
with Spain’s diverse communities and cultures
further deepens.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Theme: Peace, Politics, and Human
Rights
Components: City stay, culinary
training, community service, homestay,
language immersion, hiking/trekking,
outdoor activities
Orientation: Madrid and Toledo,
3 days
Homestay: Arcos de la Frontera,*
11 days
Other Accommodations: Hotels
Duration and Dates: 4 weeks,
June 28–July 26
Prerequisites: Spanish (at least
two years)
Depart/Return City: New York
Program Fee: $6,300 (does not include
international airfare)
*Homestay locations can vary.
To learn more about this program, visit
experiment.org/ESC.
At the conclusion of this program, each participant
will earn a community service certificate noting how
many hours of community service s/he completed.
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
57
Spain: Language and Cultural Traditions
Focus on language acquisition and Spanish culture in Madrid and Andalucía.
58
The Experiment in International Living 2016 | www.experiment.org
Rapidly improve your Spanish through a month of language
immersion and historical and contemporary exploration through Spain. Begin
your Experiment in Spain’s capital—Madrid—as you spend time at the city’s
famous sites and museums, explore its neighborhoods, and sample Spanish
cuisine. Then, travel to southern Spain, to the province of Andalucía, where
you will engage in intensive Spanish language training.
The program has two separate language groups. One group has Spanish training in the historic city of Granada, where, for four hours each day, the group
will attend small-group, interactive language classes divided by language level
at the Centro de Lenguas y Educación Intercultural. This group will learn inside
and outside the classroom through music, film, city scavenger hunts, and field
trips. After class, the group will have opportunities to meet up with Spanish
students learning English and join them for sporting or cultural events. The
program’s other group will have language classes and immersive arts training
in Guadix. This group will participate in Spanish-language workshops focused
on flamenco, ceramics, theatrical performance, and other arts, in addition to
the language training. In Guadix, there are opportunities to learn about Romani
culture and Gitano identity and to perform flamenco and traditional village
dances with local community members.
No matter which group you are in, you will explore Granada’s sites—including
the Alhambra, city gardens, and local museums—to better understand the city’s
historical layers and contemporary culture. You will also have a homestay in an
Andalusian town. Enjoy family meals and visit
local markets, beaches, and cafés as you continue
to enhance your Spanish through constant conversation with host family members. The program
incorporates some outdoor activities such as
camping, trekking, and excursions to the beach.
Return to Madrid for final reflection and language
practice before departing for home.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Theme: Language and Cultural
Discovery
Components: City stay, culinary
training, homestay, language classes,
language immersion, hiking/trekking,
outdoor activities
Orientation: Madrid, 3 days
Homestay: Guadix, Priego, or Motril,*
10–12 days
Other Accommodations: Hotels,
student residence, camping lodge
Duration and Dates: 4 weeks,
June 28–July 26
Prerequisites: Spanish (at least
one year)
Depart/Return City: New York
Program Fee: $6,300 (does not include
international airfare)
*Homestay locations can vary.
To learn more about this program, visit
experiment.org/ESL.
At the conclusion of this program, each participant
will earn a language certificate noting how many
hours of language classes s/he completed.
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
59
Spain: Regional Cultures
Celebrate the regional cultures that define Spain.
60
The Experiment in International Living 2016 | www.experiment.org
Experience the differences in regions and cultures across
Spain. Your journey begins with an immersive orientation in Spain’s capital
and largest city, Madrid. Immediately begin practicing your Spanish as you
navigate the city’s medieval streets, visit the Prado Museum on Madrid’s
“museum mile,” order tapas and other Spanish cuisine in local cafés, and
visit the Habsburg district. Take a full-day excursion to historic Toledo as
your knowledge of Spain’s history and culture deepens.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Theme: Language and Cultural
Discovery
Components: City stay, culinary
training, homestay, language
immersion, hiking/trekking,
outdoor activities
Then, experience an entirely different region of Spain as you and your
group travel from Madrid to your homestay location. Spend two weeks immersed in a Spanish community as you come to experience Spain’s regional
differences. Your Spanish language skills will grow through daily interactions with your host family. Take day trips to explore the surrounding
area with your Experiment group. Participate in flamenco classes, attend
workshops with a local NGO that works with youth, and learn how to cook
regional specialties. The homestay community varies each year.
Orientation: Madrid, 3 days
Your exploration of Spain’s cultures and regional differences will continue
as you and your group travel to Barcelona—Spain’s second largest city and
the capital of Catalonia. Visit Barcelona’s numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, parks, the Picasso Museum, and the Olympic Harbor. See the
architecture of Gaudí, stroll down La Rambla, and get introduced to the
regional language of Catalan. Return to Madrid for a final day of exploration and reflection.
Prerequisites: Spanish (at least
one year)
Homestay: Valencia, Vilagarcia
(Galicia), Úbeda (Andalucía), or
Logroño (La Rioja),* 13 days
Other Accommodations: Hotels
and apartments
Duration and Dates: 3 weeks,
June 28–July 18
Depart/Return City: New York
Program Fee: $5,400 (does not
include international airfare)
*Homestay locations can vary.
To learn more about this program,
visit experiment.org/ESS.
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
61
Spain: Technology and Social Innovation
in Urban Culture
Learn how Spain’s urban youth are making culturally important advances
in technology while engaging in hands-on projects of your own.
62
The Experiment in International Living 2016 | www.experiment.org
Discover Spain’s cutting-edge role in imagining and creating
more sustainable urban life. Explore Madrid, the capital city, where young
people are using innovations like solar power, 3D printers, and other digital
technology to transform public space—providing alternatives to traditional
industrial design. Through interactive workshops, learn about the importance of urban innovations like these on improving daily life, education,
and the economy for people living in growing cities.
While in Madrid, you will have the opportunity to visit three separate
institutes dedicated to urban development and sustainability—Makespace
Madrid, Impact Hub, and FabLab House. Meet young innovators at each
organization who are tackling not only quality-of-life issues in their own
communities, but who are also using technology to work toward social
participation and problem solving on a global scale. After learning and
observing in these incredible spaces, work hands-on with artists and entrepreneurs on their digital prototypes and projects, and take on a project
of your own choosing. From Madrid, travel to Valencia and volunteer on
urban projects before meeting your homestay family in Palma de Mallorca,
the capital city of Spain’s Balearic Islands. Here, engage in social urban development activities focused on music, theater, urban art, and cartooning.
Explore this expansive city, witnessing how technology plays a unique and
significant role.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Theme: Peace, Politics, and
Human Rights
Components: City stay, homestay,
language immersion
Orientation: Madrid, 3 days
Homestay: Palma de Mallorca,*
12 days
Other Accommodations: Hotels
and hostels
Duration and Dates: 4 weeks,
June 28–July 27
Depart/Return City: New York
Program Fee: $6,500 (does not
include international airfare)
*Homestay locations can vary.
Embark next on a cultural trip to Barcelona, Spain’s second most populated city, to explore artistic and architecturally
astounding sites—like Gaudí’s Park Güell
and Sagrada Familía—and dip your toes into
the Mediterranean Sea. Immerse yourself
once again into a different urban lifestyle and
culture, using your observations and handson skills learned in Spain to better identify
technological advances and discuss concepts
of urban development.
To learn more about this program, visit
experiment.org/EST.
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
63
Tanzania: Coastal and Maasai Cultures
Learn Swahili, complete community service, live with Tanzanian host families, and explore
the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
64
The Experiment in International Living 2016 | www.experiment.org
Travel from Dar es Salaam along the Tanzanian coast to
Tanga, Arusha, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, experiencing the
diversity of Tanzania’s cultures, ethnic groups, and environments. Learn
about Swahili culture and Tanzanian arts while meeting with educators,
artists, and musicians. Learn Swahili through the program’s formal and
informal language instruction, and practice your language skills with your
host family and other Tanzanians you meet throughout the program.
Together with your group, participate in a series of community-driven
service projects, such as teaching English in a rural school or engaging in
an ecosystem management project.
Experience the vast differences between urban and rural Tanzania and
the country’s diverse ethnic communities. During your stay in the coastal
city of Tanga, learn about the role of Islam in Tanzanian culture and wake
up to the morning calls to prayer. During the program’s first homestay,
experience daily life in a Swahili coastal community; then, travel into the
bush to experience Maasai culture during the program’s 10-day stay in a
Maasai village.
As your Tanzania Experiment unfolds, witness the country’s changing
landscapes and breathtaking beauty. Visit the foothills of Mount Meru,
the second-largest mountain in Tanzania. Go on daylong game drives to
see baboons, hippos, giraffes, elephants, and lions, and take eco-safaris at
Arusha National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater.
To learn more about this program, visit
experiment.org/TZS.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Theme: Language and Cultural
Discovery
Components: City stay, rural stay,
community service, homestay, language classes, language immersion,
hiking/trekking, outdoor activities,
rugged travel, camping
Orientation: Dar es Salaam, 4 days
Homestays: Swahili coastal community,* 9 days; Maasai community,* 10 days
Other Accommodations: Hotels,
community center, camping
Duration and Dates: 5 weeks,
June 28–August 4
Depart/Return City: New York
Program Fee: $6,400 (does not include
international airfare)
US citizens require a visa for this program.
Participants will work with The Experiment’s
visa agency to acquire and pay for a visa.
Please see our website for details.
*Homestay locations can vary.
At the conclusion of this program, each participant
will earn a community service certificate noting how
many hours of community service s/he completed.
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
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Tanzania: Wildlife, Ecology, and Culture
Explore connections between Tanzania’s environment and indigenous people while
witnessing spectacular scenery and studying Swahili.
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Embark on a journey through Tanzania’s various ecosystems,
spend time with indigenous communities, and learn about issues affecting
the country’s wildlife and people, particularly groups living in remote regions.
The program begins and ends in Arusha, the capital and northern Tanzania’s
tourism hub, where you will explore local markets and natural attractions
like Lake Duluti, meet with a conservation NGO, and begin your immersive Swahili language training. As you travel to Tanzania’s remote regions,
gain valuable insights into natural resource and wildlife conservation as
well as traditional food cultures. During parts of the program, your group
will be accompanied by a local expert in zoology and ecology.
A highlight of the program will be the homestay with a Chagga family,
where you will learn about small-scale farming and agriculture and
help milk cows, collect food for livestock, and cook traditional Chagga
meals, all while practicing your Swahili. Climb up to base camp on Mount
Kilimanjaro, visit local waterfalls and historical sites, and then head to
Tarangire National Park to begin 10 days of camping in the bush. Under
the supervision of your leaders and an experienced guide, deepen your
knowledge of the local ecosystem and spend a day canoeing on Lake
Babati, known for its hippo population. In the remote region of Yaeda Valley,
meet the Hadzabe—one of the oldest indigenous populations alive
today—and camp with them under the stars, learning about their unique
history and the intimate relationships they share with the environment.
Before the program ends, travel south to
Lake Eyasi, where the Hadzabe have lived
for millennia, and meet other indigenous
communities along the way. Take your final
excursion to the Ngorongoro Conservation
Area, unique to Africa for its approach to
human-wildlife conflicts, and explore its
legendary crater, formed millions of years
ago by a volcanic eruption. Back in Arusha,
reflect on your experiences with Tanzania’s
environment, wildlife, and people and share
with your group how you can take this new
knowledge back to your home community.
To learn more about this program, visit
experiment.org/TZE.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Theme: Sustainability and the
Environment
Components: City stay, rural stay,
culinary training, community service,
homestay, language classes, language
immersion, hiking/trekking, outdoor
activities, rugged travel, camping
Orientation: Arusha, 3 days
Homestay: Machame village,* 6–7 days
Other Accommodations: Hotels,
campsites
Duration and Dates: 3 weeks,
July 16–August 6
Depart/Return City: New York
Program Fee: $5,800 (does not include international airfare)
US citizens require a visa for this program.
Participants will work with The Experiment’s
visa agency to acquire and pay for a visa.
Please see our website for details.
*Homestay locations can vary.
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
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Thailand: Buddhist Traditions and
Contemporary Culture
Experience a diversity of cultures, communities, and urban and
rural environments across Thailand.
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Take an immersive journey through urban and rural landscapes
of Thailand. Experience the cultural sights, markets, and ancient temples
of major Thai cities; live with host families in rural villages; participate in
community service projects organized by local organizations; and explore
northern Thailand by foot and raft. Learn introductory Thai through formal and informal language instruction and through time with host family
members and others.
The program begins in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai, home to
hundreds of ancient temples and surrounded by mountains. Visit the
city’s famous sites and museums and explore bustling street markets and
Buddhist temples as you get to know the other members of your group. As
your Thai journey continues, you will live with a Kon Muang host family
in a lowland northern Thai village in Chiang Mai province and then with a
Lisu host family in a hill tribe village in Chiang Rai province. Join host family members and others in working on a service project, such as helping to
build a natural water dam or assisting with reforestation work, depending
on the needs of the village community. Other service opportunities could
include teaching English to young children.
Experience the northern region’s tropical valleys and highlands as you
participate in outdoor activities such as trekking, zip lining, and rafting.
Conclude your Thailand exploration with five days in Bangkok—visiting
sites of cultural and historical importance, such as the Grand Palace, the
Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and Koh
Kret—and the seaside town of Hua Hin. PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Theme: Language and Cultural
Discovery
Components: City stay, rural stay,
culinary training, community service,
homestay, language classes, language
immersion, hiking/trekking, outdoor
activities, rugged travel
Orientation: Chiang Mai, 5–7 days
Homestays: Ban Mae Bon or Baan Sri
Khun, Chiang Mai province,* 9–11 days;
Ban Doi Lam (Lisu hill tribe community),
Chiang Rai province,* 3 days
Other Accommodations: Guest houses
Duration and Dates: 4 weeks,
June 29–July 29
Depart/Return City: Los Angeles
Program Fee: $5,200 (does not include
international airfare)
*Homestay locations can vary.
To learn more about this program, visit
experiment.org/THS.
At the conclusion of this program, each participant
will earn a community service certificate noting how
many hours of community service s/he completed.
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
69
Vietnam: Ecology and Conservation
Journey through Vietnam’s natural environments and cultures, and experience
current challenges affecting the conservation of the country’s diverse ecological systems.
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Gain hands-on experience with diverse ecological systems
and natural resource preservation through a culturally immersive summer in
Vietnam. As you travel from the country’s bustling capital city to mangrove
forests, the Central Highlands, jungle and coastal areas, and the Mekong
Delta, acquire firsthand knowledge of Vietnam’s ecology while discovering
the threats, including climate change and development pressures, impacting
Vietnam’s natural environments and indigenous communities.
During your excursion to the mangrove forests in Can Gio, canoe down the
Dong Nai River and observe monkeys and birds in their natural habitats.
Visit the gibbon primate center, and learn about conservation efforts and
challenges at Cat Tien National Park, home to mammals such as Asian
elephants, sun bears, gaur, and many smaller species. Attend seminars
on climate change and the environment and visit the floating markets on
the Mekong River. Explore marine ecology on the beautiful island of Phu
Quoc—an island of significant economic, scientific, and environmental
value, boasting numerous coral reefs and seagrass beds. Take advantage of
ongoing, dynamic experiential learning opportunities while biking, snorkeling,
and trekking.
Through homestays and field visits to cultural and historical sites, gain
critical knowledge of Vietnam’s history and contemporary life. Visit the
Cu Chi tunnels, one of the longest systems of underground tunnels from
the Vietnam War, and spend time at local NGOs working to advance the
quality of life of vulnerable people and communities. Immerse yourself
in the daily lives of two Vietnamese families
during homestays in the capital city and Da Lat.
Receive instruction in Vietnamese language and
cooking and participate in a community service
project, such as building a biogas system or
teaching English to children, during the program’s rural stay in Hoa An village. Learn about
the indigenous traditions of the Lach ethnic
group in the Central Highlands, and attend
seminars on Vietnamese folk music and Zen
meditation. The program begins and concludes
in Ho Chi Minh City.
To learn more about this program, visit
experiment.org/VNS.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Theme: Sustainability and
the Environment
Components: City stay, rural stay,
community service, homestay, language classes, language immersion,
hiking/trekking, outdoor activities,
rugged travel
Orientation: Ho Chi Minh City, 3 days
Homestays: Ho Chi Minh City,*
6 days; Da Lat City (Central
Highlands),* 3 days
Other Accommodations: University
dormitory, educational institute, hotels
Duration and Dates: 4 weeks,
June 29–July 28
Depart/Return City: Los Angeles
Program Fee: $5,500 (does not
include international airfare)
US citizens require a visa for this program.
Participants will work with The Experiment’s
visa agency to acquire and pay for a visa.
Please see our website for details.
*Homestay locations can vary.
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
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Experiment Leadership Institute
Intensive Leadership Training in Advance of College
The Experiment offers two highly competitive, fully funded programs for participants deeply interested in
intercultural leadership, global issues, and civic engagement.
The Experiment Leadership Institute offers six-week programs in South Africa and India specifically focused on
leadership development. These programs foster discussion
on the local and global ramifications of particular topics, such
as global health, human rights, and social change; promote
critical understanding of these and other global issues; and
provide participants with an opportunity to see in real time
what communities are doing on the ground to address these
challenges.
The programs begin with a Washington, DC–based seminar
and are followed by a month of host-country immersion
and field-based learning. Participants then return to the US for
debriefings, project-planning sessions, and reentry workshops.
The Leadership Institute programs have been carefully designed
to provide participants with a unique and extraordinary opportunity to acquire the critical skills and intercultural
competencies necessary to become effective leaders.
An 80-Plus-Year Legacy of
Global Youth Leadership
The Experiment has, for more than 80 years, cultivated in its participants not only a deep awareness and
knowledge of different cultures and global issues, but also the leadership capacity needed to be effective in
intercultural settings. Experimenters have gone on to do extraordinary work in the world and attain important
leadership positions in a diversity of fields and professions. The Leadership Institute programs further our
mission and legacy of equipping the next generation of global leaders with the knowledge, skills, and intercultural competencies required to take meaningful action on critical issues at local and global levels.
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The Experiment in International Living 2016 | experiment.org
Program Components
• Intensive four-day Leadership Seminar in Washington,
DC. Based on a powerful experiential leadership curriculum,
the Leadership Seminar includes trainings, workshops, field
trips, group exercises, and discussions with political and
NGO leaders.
• Four-week immersive Experiment program in India or
South Africa. See individual Leadership Institute program
pages for details pertaining to each program.
• Four days of project planning sessions in Brattleboro,
Vermont. Reconvening on the beautiful School for International Training campus in southern Vermont, participants
have synthesis sessions, briefings, a reentry workshop, and
brainstorming sessions on a post-program project.
ost-program project implemented in participants’
•P
home communities.
What You Will Gain:
uild interpersonal leadership skills in
•B
intercultural settings.
eceive training on leadership development,
•R
teambuilding, communication strategies, and
cross-cultural understanding.
ngage in thematic workshops and strategy
•E
discussions on critical global issues and local action.
eet with political and NGO leaders in Washington,
•M
DC, and in the host country.
itness how communities are taking action on
•W
specific critical issues in an international context.
dvance your ability to communicate ideas
•A
effectively to diverse audiences.
cquire knowledge, skills, and training on how to
•A
take action on critical issues at global and local levels.
A Full Scholarship Program
Thirty competitive and full scholarships for the Experiment
Leadership Institute have been made available through the
generous support of individual donors. Participation on an
Experiment Leadership Institute program is fully funded for
accepted students.*
PROGRAM DETAILS
Program eligibility and selection criteria: Because there are
only 15 spaces per program, the application process is highly
competitive. Applicants should possess an interest in global
issues, a commitment to volunteer and civic activities, leadership
potential demonstrated through community and/or school involvement, and an ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups.
Applicants must:
•B
e rising seniors who are at least 16 years old but not more
than 18 years old at the time of the program
• Have a high school graduation year of 2017
• Demonstrate strong academic performance
•O
btain a passport that is valid through at least
February 2017
Apply online at experiment.org: When you start your online
application for admission, on the Program Selection page, choose
either India: Public Health and Community Development (Leadership Institute) or South Africa: Youth Leadership in Peace,
Politics, and Human Rights (Leadership Institute) for your firstor second-choice program. You should also enter a third-choice
Experiment program that is not a Leadership Institute program; if
you are not selected for the Leadership Institute, we will consider
your application for your third-choice program.
Application deadline and details: The deadline to apply for an
Experiment Leadership Institute program is January 20, 2016.
Applicants will be required to submit references from two different adult teachers, mentors, or coaches; essay questions; and
other relevant materials. Applicants will be asked to describe
previous leadership roles, learning acquired from those roles,
and what the applicant hopes to gain through participation in
the Experiment Leadership Institute.
We seek applicants who can take initiative through the
application process, particularly because this is a leadership
development program. We discourage parent involvement in
the initial application process. Should you have questions,
applicants should contact us at 800 345-2929 or at
experiment@worldlearning.org.
*International Applicants: The Experiment in International Living
welcomes and encourages international participants to apply to an Experiment Leadership Institute program. International applicants should please
note, however, that due to the high variability of international airfare, the
flight from your home country to Washington, DC, at the beginning of the
program and from Vermont back to your home country at the program’s
conclusion will not be covered by The Experiment. Please contact the
Experiment admissions office for more information.
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
73
Experiment Leadership Institute
India: Public Health and Community Development
Examine public health priorities and community development
in urban and rural areas of northern India.
India’s capital, Delhi, and the immediate surrounding region is home
to more than a thousand NGOs actively engaged in the health and
development sectors. The National Human Rights Commission, the
National Commission for Women, and other rights-based bodies have
headquarters in Delhi. Within this dynamic environment, advance your
leadership skills and knowledge of a critical global issue—health and its
relationship with community development—building on the intensive
training and leadership sessions you received in Washington, DC.
Through lectures, site visits, and workshops in three Indian states—
Delhi, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh—you will explore equity and
healthcare rights, the political economy of health, social determinants
of health, caste discrimination, and other key issues shaping Indian
communities and the country’s healthcare landscape. Hone your
leadership skills by facilitating weekly syntheses of learning and
reflection, which may include facilitating debates, question-andanswer sessions, and small-group discussions. Together with your
group, consider strategies for human rights and healthcare advocacy
within the public health arena as you meet with public health
specialists, physicians, professors, grassroots activists, and health
practitioners across northern India. During the rural excursion
to Bahraich District in Uttar Pradesh, participate in a seven-day
workshop with a locally based organization working for improved
public health, community development, and/or human rights.
As your knowledge of India’s healthcare and development challenges
rapidly expands, you will experience Indian culture and daily life,
especially through the homestay with an Indian host family in Delhi.
Receive Hindi language instruction, and visit important cultural
and historical sites including the Taj Mahal. Other activities include
meeting with Indian youth who are advocating civic engagement and
social change. Finally, return to the US for project planning sessions,
briefings, and brainstorming sessions on a post-program project of
your choosing to be implemented in your home community.
To learn more about this program, visit experiment.org/LII.
74
• Intensive leadership and activism training in
Washington, DC
• Onsite meetings with experts and advocates at
primary health centers, youth organizations, and
NGO headquarters
• Workshop with an organization working for
public health and positive change in India
• Rural visit to a tribal village and meeting with
youth parliament members
•E
xcursion to Jaipur to meet with NGOs like
Barefoot College, a rural development organization,
and Jaipur Foot Factory, the world’s largest
producer of prosthetic below-the-waist limbs
• Engagement with Indian peer groups at Global
School of Learning in Bahraich District
• Visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra
• Two-week homestay with an Indian family
• Project planning sessions in Vermont
• Action-oriented project to be implemented after
the program’s conclusion
Program at a Glance
Theme: Experiment Leadership Institute
Components: City stay, rural stay, community service,
homestay, language classes, language immersion, hiking/
trekking, outdoor activities, rugged travel
In-Country Orientation: Delhi, 5–7 days
Homestay: Delhi, 14 days
Other Accommodations: Hotels
Duration and Dates: 6 weeks, July 5–August 12
The program begins with an intensive four-day Leadership
Seminar in Washington, DC, and concludes with project
planning sessions in Brattleboro, Vermont.
US citizens require a visa for this program.
Program Sequence:
Washington, DC (4 days)
Key Features
India (4 weeks)
The Experiment in International Living 2016 | experiment.org
Brattleboro, VT (4 days)
Experiment Leadership Institute
South Africa: Youth Leadership in Peace, Politics,
and Human Rights
Examine human rights, multiculturalism, and inequality in the context
of South Africa, a country that has undergone an extraordinary
transition from the brutality of apartheid to democracy and
improved social cohesion.
South Africa—home to exceptional leaders and peace activists such as Nelson
Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu—provides a fascinating backdrop in
which to investigate the complex dynamics of intercultural leadership, youth
activism, and political and social change.
Key Features
• Intensive leadership and activism training in
Washington, DC
Through leadership workshops, seminars, meetings with NGOs, and field visits
to sites of historical and cultural significance across South Africa, you will build
on the intensive leadership and activism training you received in Washington,
DC. Examine inequality and poverty; racial, ethnic, and gender-based discrimination; and current South African politics and socioeconomic realities. Together with your group, meet with a range of institutions involved in providing
leadership training and mentoring, including the UKZN Leadership Centre and
the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Engage with South African youth of different
ethnic, religious, and class backgrounds who are working to advance change
and exert leadership on issues of local and global relevance.
• Discussion on youth leadership at the Nelson
Mandela Foundation
Discover the significant role that the city of Durban has played in South African
history, including the city’s role in the struggle against apartheid. Reflect on the
kind of leadership that emerged from Durban. Continue to expand your knowledge of South Africa through field visits in other areas of the country, including
to Cape Town, Johannesburg, rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal, the Umfolozi and
Hluhluwe game reserves, and the Drakensberg mountain range.
• Project planning sessions in Vermont
The program is grounded in the experiences of South Africa, but the focus is
nationally and internationally comparative. While investigating leadership and
activism in the context of South Africa, you will be challenged to draw and
reflect on the experiences of your home community and country in addressing—or not addressing—many of the same critical issues you examine in South
Africa. You will continue to advance your leadership capacity as you return to
the US for project planning sessions, briefings, and brainstorming sessions.
During this final stage of the program, you will begin working on a post-program
project of your choosing to be implemented in your home community.
To learn more about this program, visit experiment.org/LIS.
• Workshop “Young Voices in Conflict Resolution”
hosted by The African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD)—the
continent’s largest conflict resolution center
• Visit to the UKZN Leadership Centre
• Workshop on gender roles facilitated by a local
NGO focused on developing young women leaders
• Homestays with two South African families in
contrasting areas of the country
• Action-oriented project to be implemented after
the program’s conclusion
Program at a Glance
Theme: Experiment Leadership Institute
Components: City stay, rural stay, community service,
homestay, language classes, language immersion,
hiking/trekking, outdoor activities
In-Country Orientation: Johannesburg and
Drakensberg mountains, 4 days
Homestays: Cato Manor, 2 weeks; Amacabini, 1 week
Other Accommodations: Hostels
Duration and Dates: 6 weeks, July 5–August 12
The program begins with an intensive four-day Leadership
Seminar in Washington, DC, and concludes with project
planning sessions in Brattleboro, Vermont.
Program Sequence:
Washington, DC (4 days)
South Africa (4 weeks)
Brattleboro, VT (4 days)
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
75
Providing Access and Promoting
Diversity in Experiment Programs
Experiment Participants
Experimenters are high school students of different races, religions,
sexual orientations, physical abilities, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
The Experiment actively seeks to engage and enroll participants from a
diversity of backgrounds—from across the US and abroad.
Experiment Groups
Experiment groups are small, typically comprising 10–15 participants who
represent a range of backgrounds: small towns and large cities; urban and
rural areas; and public, private, and home-school educational experiences.
The diversity of our groups is an important part of what makes The Experiment
different. In addition to learning about the host culture, Experimenters should
expect to learn about the diverse cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds
that exist within the US and around the world.
Summer 2015 Experiment Groups—At a Glance
• Over 550 Experimenters traveled to 26 countries worldwide.
• Experimenters came from 37 US states.
•E
xperimenters came from 11 countries around the world: Bolivia,
Brazil, Canada, China, Israel, Kenya, Malaysia, Turkey, Uganda,
the United Kingdom, and the United States.
•T
he average Experiment group had 13 participants with two
adult co-leaders.
“My group was so culturally diverse. Our
diversity, plus being immersed in Dutch
culture and its LGBTQ+ community,
made this program unforgettable.”
Essence Fullwood
Experimenter to the Netherlands, SEED Public Charter School
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The Experiment’s Partnership Program
The Experiment partners with more than 60 high
schools, mentoring organizations, community groups,
and individual donors and foundations to provide targeted funding of various levels to participants. These
special arrangements can result in a wide variety of
scholarships and funding levels.
A sample of these partnerships includes:
• A Better Chance – nationwide
• SEO Scholars – New York and San Francisco
• Step Up to Excellence – Massachusetts
• Monroe County Educational Foundation /
Take Stock in Children – Florida
• Summer Search – nationwide
Please contact us for more information about these
opportunities. For more information on giving to The
Experiment, visit experiment.org/donatenow.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
The Experiment in International Living is committed to providing
participants from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds with access to
The Experiment’s immersive cross-cultural programs. Most of The
Experiment’s scholarships are need based, but in some geographic
areas merit-based scholarships are available. Please contact our
admissions office for more information.
In 2015, The Experiment awarded $2.1 million in financial
assistance as Experiment scholarships. Financial aid funding comes
through The Experiment’s generous network of individual Experiment
alumni, individual donors, foundations, and corporations.
Need-based scholarships range from $250 to $3,000 and include but are
not limited to:
• Geographic Diversity Scholarships—For participants from underrepresented states or regions and/or participants who will be
the first Experimenter from their high school
• Thematic Focus Scholarships—For participants who demonstrate a clear interest in the thematic focus area of their program
•H
ome School Student Scholarship—For participants who are
currently homeschooled
Early Application Discount
Apply online for summer 2016 programs by November 16, 2015,
and you will automatically receive $500 off the program fee. To be
eligible, the online application portion (applicant profile, short answer
questions, and essay) must be complete and the nonrefundable enrollment deposit of $400 must be paid by November 16. This discount
cannot be combined with others, but need-based financial aid and
scholarships are still available to recipients of this discount.
Alumni Discount
The Experiment offers an early application discount of $400 for
participants who have an immediate family member who is an
alumnus/alumna of The Experiment in International Living and/or for
participants who are applying for a second Experiment program and
who submit their application for admission before February 1, 2016.
Educator Discount
Educators are eligible to receive $500 off an immediate family member’s program fee. Educators include teachers, school administrators,
guidance counselors, and education staff at nonprofit organizations.
This discount cannot be combined with others, but financial aid and
scholarships are still available to recipients of this discount. To be
eligible, the applicant, or the applicant’s parent, must inform The
Experiment in writing (experiment@worldlearning.org) before April
15 that an immediate family member is an educator.
These discounts cannot be combined. The student will receive the
larger of the discounts for which s/he qualifies.
Applying for scholarships and financial aid is easy!
1.Complete your online application for admission at experiment.org.
2.When submitting your online application, be sure to indicate that
you are interested in financial aid.
3.Ask a parent or guardian to complete the financial aid application
before March 1.* Please note: although our financial aid deadline
is March 1, admissions and financial aid applications are accepted
on a rolling basis. Programs fill quickly, and there is more funding
earlier in the process. We encourage you to apply early!
4.The Experiment office will notify you with a financial aid decision,
and awards financial aid on a rolling basis until March 1; the sooner
you apply for admission and need-based financial aid, the better
your chances for obtaining a financial aid award (if you qualify).
*Please be aware that if you are working with a partner school or organization, the admissions and financial aid deadlines may be as early as
February 1. The Leadership Institute admissions deadline is January 20.
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77
Application and Eligibility
Take the first step toward an unforgettable summer with The Experiment. Apply online at experiment.org.
Eligibility: Participants who have completed at least their ninth-grade year of high school but have not yet entered college or
university are eligible to apply to an Experiment program. Select programs have a language prerequisite or age requirement;
please see individual program listings for details. The Experiment encourages high school students who are open-minded,
adventurous, and work well with others to apply.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the application deadline, April 15. (Please note: the admissions deadline
for participants applying for financial aid is March 1. See page 77 for more information about financial aid.) Please call the
admissions office at any time to inquire about program availability. Early applicants are most likely to be considered for their
first-choice program.
We will review your application once it is complete to ensure you’re a good fit with the program you have selected.
We will help you prepare for your specific program throughout our extensive pre-departure process. The Experiment provides
itineraries, packing lists, assistance with travel logistics, health guidelines, information about personal funds abroad, and recommended immunizations and visas (if applicable).
Questions? The Experiment in International Living’s admissions staff is available Monday–Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
(EST) to guide you through the process and answer your questions. Contact us at 800 345-2929 (toll-free within the US) or
802 258-3481 or at experiment@worldlearning.org.
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The Experiment’s Educational Philosophy
Introduction to Experiential Learning
Experiential learning is a rich process by which knowledge is created not simply from experience (learning by doing) but also
by reflecting on experiences and extracting lessons learned (learning by processing). The Experiment in International Living
uses the experiential learning model to facilitate cultural immersion and learning, which is most accessible and lasting when
developed through experience and reflective practice. Learners are central to making learning happen: they actively construct
new understanding from their experiences through reflection and analysis. This process provides the foundation for our programs and is woven throughout all activities each Experimenter takes part in. Our program leaders guide participants through
reflection and making connections, empowering them to synthesize their experiential learning independently.
EXPERIENCE/ACTIVITY
Trying, Doing,
Practicing
ACTIVE EXPERIMENTATION
REFLECTION/OBSERVATION
“How do we use what we
have learned?”
“What happened?”
MAKE CONNECTIONS/
DRAW CONCLUSIONS
“What did we learn?
What does it mean?”
Learning Structure and Program Goals
Experiment programs follow a comprehensive structure designed to maximize learning and the well-being of all participants as they engage in dynamic cross-cultural experiences.
Almost all Experiment programs follow the same four-part
program structure—orientation, homestay, thematic focus,
and reflection—to promote cultural immersion, group experience, diversity, leadership skills, cross-cultural efficacy and
empathy, flexibility and resilience, and language acquisition.
The learning goals of Experiment programs are to:
1. enable high school students to connect and
engage with another culture and society;
2. explore the host country through hands-on
experiences in local communities and living
with host families;
3. c reate a deeper awareness of and sensitivity to global
issues shaping diverse communities and regions visited;
4. develop teamwork, intercultural communications, and
leadership and language skills while on the program;
and
5. foster understanding and build relationships across
ethnic, religious, and national communities within
Experiment groups and within the host country.
Participants come away from their Experiment programs
not only with an educational experience abroad, but a new
way of learning, seeing, and thinking about the world that
includes lifelong learning and leadership skills such as:
• Decision making
• Project management
• Problem solving
• Communication skills
• Budget management
• Interpersonal skills
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
79
Programs at a Glance
Country/Program
Experiment program dates and depart/return cities are subject to change. Please visit our
website for the most accurate and up-to-date information. If program dates or depart/return
cities change and you have already submitted an application for admission, The Experiment
will contact you by email. If you have any questions, please call us.
Dates
Duration
Prerequisite
Departure/Arrival
Program Fee*
Argentina
Community Service and the Great Outdoors
June 29–July 26
4 weeks
Spanish (at least 1 year)
Miami
$6,000
Photojournalism and Social Change
June 28–July 25
4 weeks
Spanish (at least 1 year)
Miami or Houston
$6,200
Cultural Traditions in the North
June 29–July 28
4 weeks
None
San Francisco
$5,400
Ethnic Minorities and Contemporary Culture
June 29–July 28
4 weeks
None
San Francisco
$5,400
June 28–July 26
4 weeks
None
Miami
$5,950
June 28–July 26
4 weeks
Spanish (at least 1 year)
Miami
$6,500
India: Public Health and Community Development
July 5–August 12
6 weeks
(see pg. 73)
(see pg. 73)
N/A
South Africa: Y
outh Leadership in Peace,
Politics, and Human Rights
July 5–August 12
6 weeks
(see pg. 73)
(see pg. 73)
N/A
French Culture and Regional Identity
June 29–July 21
3 weeks
None
New York
$5,300
French Language and Culinary Traditions
June 28–July 26
4 weeks
French (at least 1 year)
New York
$7,500
Painting and Photography in Paris and Provence
June 28–July 26
4 weeks
French (at least 1 year)
New York
$6,600
June 29–July 28
4 weeks
None
New York
$6,400
July 16–August 7
3 weeks
None
New York
$5,300
June 27–July 24
4 weeks
None
New York
$7,100
Japanimation—Anime and Manga
June 27–July 25
4 weeks
None
Los Angeles
$6,800
Language and Cultural Traditions
June 27–July 25
4 weeks
None
Los Angeles
$6,700
June 28–July 27
4 weeks
None
New York
$5,800
China
Costa Rica
Biodiversity, Ecology, and Sustainability
Ecuador
The Galápagos Islands and the Andes
Experiment Leadership Institute Programs
France
Germany
Contemporary Politics and the European Union
Ireland
Irish Culture and Youth Empowerment
Italy
Language and Local Food Culture
Japan
Jordan
History, Politics, and Arabic Language
Program themes:
Arts and Social Change
Sustainability and the Environment
Experiment Leadership Institute Programs
80
Peace, Politics, and Human Rights
The Experiment in International Living 2016 | www.experiment.org
Language and Cultural Discovery
Component Rating Guide
The diamonds provided in each column are intended to indicate a component’s degree of relevance/intensity in relation to that particular program,
with three diamonds indicating the highest level of relevance. Where no diamond is listed, the component is not applicable to that program.
City Stay
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*The program fee does not include international airfare. Please refer to the website for airfare information.
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
81
Programs at a Glance
Country/Program
Experiment program dates and depart/return cities are subject to change. Please visit our
website for the most accurate and up-to-date information. If program dates or depart/return
cities change and you have already submitted an application for admission, The Experiment
will contact you by email. If you have any questions, please call us.
Dates
Duration
Prerequisite
Departure/Arrival
Program Fee*
June 29–July 27
4 weeks
None
San Francisco
$6,000
July 5–July 28
3 weeks
(see pg. 43)
Mexico City
$4,900
June 29–July 27
4 weeks
None
Los Angeles
$5,200
June 29–July 26
4 weeks
None
New York
$5,600
June 28–July 20
3 weeks
None
New York
$5,800
June 29–July 28
4 weeks
Spanish (at least 2 years)
Miami
$5,800
July 4–August 1
4 weeks
Spanish (at least 1 year)
Miami
$5,400
June 29–July 30
4 weeks
None
New York
$6,200
Contemporary and Historic Cultural Diversity
June 28–July 26
4 weeks
Spanish (at least 2 years)
New York
$6,300
Language and Cultural Traditions
June 28–July 26
4 weeks
Spanish (at least 1 year)
New York
$6,300
Regional Cultures
June 28–July 18
3 weeks
Spanish (at least 1 year)
New York
$5,400
Technology and Social Innovation in Urban Culture
June 28–July 27
4 weeks
None
New York
$6,500
Coastal and Maasai Cultures
June 28–August 4
5 weeks
None
New York
$6,400
Wildlife, Ecology, and Culture
July 16–August 6
3 weeks
None
New York
$5,800
June 29–July 29
4 weeks
None
Los Angeles
$5,200
June 29–July 28
4 weeks
None
Los Angeles
$5,500
Korea
Peace Studies
Mexico
Marine Biology on the Baja Peninsula
Mongolia
Nomadic and Urban Cultures
Morocco
Multiculturalism in the Arab World
Netherlands
Gender Equality and Human Rights
Nicaragua and Cuba
Arts and Social Change
Peru
Ancient and Contemporary Cultures
South Africa
Multiculturalism in an Urban and Rural Society
Spain
Tanzania
Thailand
Buddhist Traditions and Contemporary Culture
Vietnam
Ecology and Conservation
Program themes:
Arts and Social Change
82
Sustainability and the Environment
Peace, Politics, and Human Rights
The Experiment in International Living 2016 | www.experiment.org
Language and Cultural Discovery
Component Rating Guide
The diamonds provided in each column are intended to indicate a component’s degree of relevance/intensity in relation to that particular program,
with three diamonds indicating the highest level of relevance. Where no diamond is listed, the component is not applicable to that program.
City Stay
Rural Stay
Culinary
Training
Community
Service
Homestay
Language
Classes
Language
Immersion
Hiking/
Trekking
Outdoor
Activities
Rugged
Travel
Camping
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*The program fee does not include international airfare. Please refer to the website for airfare information.
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
83
The Experiment in International Living has programs in 24 countries worldwide.
Washington, DC
Vermont
pages 72–75
pages 72–75
Mexico
page 42
Nicaragua and Cuba
page 50
Costa Rica
page 18
Ecuador
page 20
Peru
page 52
Argentina
pages 10–13
84
The Experiment in International Living 2016 | experiment.org
The Netherlands
page 48
Ireland
page 30
Germany
France
page 28
Mongolia
pages 22–27
Spain
pages 56–63
Morocco
page 46
page 44
Italy
Korea
page 40
China
page 32
pages 14–17
Jordan
Japan
pages 34–37
page 38
India
page 74
Thailand
page 68
Vietnam
page 70
Tanzania
pages 64–67
South Africa
pages 54 and 75
800 345-2929 | experiment@worldlearning.org
85
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U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PUTNEY, VT
PERMIT NO. 1
The Experiment in International Living is a
program of World Learning, a private, nonprofit international organization.
Other World Learning programs:
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Accredited undergraduate semester and
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30 countries
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Learn more and apply online at experiment.org.
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Email: experiment@worldlearning.org
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