Why Choose The Experiment?
What Makes The Experiment Different?
- History and Experience
The Experiment has been running high quality summer abroad programs every summer since 1932. Within a year of our founding, we launched the never-before-tried concept that came to be known as the homestay. After 80 years and more than 70,000 participants, The Experiment remains a leader in the field of international cross-cultural education for high school students. - Our Programs
Experiment programs are fun, thought-provoking, and active. Each program follows the same four-part structure: an in-depth cross-cultural orientation in the capital or another major city of the country, a homestay with a local family, a thematic focus, and a thoughtful reflection and evaluation. Our program structure is designed to maximize the well-being of all participants while they engage with the culture and host communities. - Maximizing Health and Safety
The Experiment places the highest priority on health, safety, and security. We understand and deeply respect that socioeconomic, political, environmental, and medical conditions vary across the 27 countries in which we run programs. We work tirelessly to build and maintain relationships within each host country, and we tailor our health, safety, and security measures to each location and to current circumstances. Learn more. - Financial Aid and Scholarships
The Experiment in International Living is committed to helping students from a diversity of backgrounds experience immersive cross-cultural programs through a variety of need-based scholarships. Importantly, The Experiment creates and maintains longstanding partnerships with mentoring organizations, after-school programs, home-school organizations, community groups, public and private schools, and foundations located across the country. Many of these collaborative partnerships enable students to receive partial or full scholarship funding. Learn more. - Our In-Country Partnerships
The Experiment works closely with an international partner – often an educational nonprofit organization – in each country in which we offer programs. These local partners contribute enormously to the dynamic, educational, and immersive nature of every program, and they play an essential role in maximizing the health, safety, and security of all groups. Trained, adult Experiment group leaders work closely with the local office throughout the program. Our host communities and partners play an essential and active role in creating meaningful, culturally immersive experiences for our students. Many of the Experiment’s in-country partnerships are decades-old.
- Small, Diverse Groups
Experiment groups are small, typically 10–15 students who represent a range of backgrounds: small towns and large cities; urban and rural areas; and public, private, and home-school educational experiences. Experimenters are of different races, religions, sexual orientations, physical abilities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Our students find that the friendships they make through their group profoundly enhance their experience. The Experiment reaches out to students, families, schools, and communities across the country. - Immersive Experiences and Engagement with Experts
Experimenters become active participants in the communities they join and learn from in-country experts such as native language trainers, chefs, artists, ecologists, peace makers, and guides, depending on the program’s thematic focus: culinary exploration, language training, arts immersion, eco-adventure, community service, and travel and discovery. - The World Learning Global Network and Family of Programs
The Experiment in International Living is the founding program of World Learning, a nonprofit that advances leadership through education, exchange, and development programs in more than 60 countries. In addition to The Experiment, the World Learning family of programs includes SIT Study Abroad, SIT Graduate Institute, World Learning International Development Programs, and World Learning International Exchange Programs.
