Student Essay
The Experiment in International Living was one of the most profound experiences of my life. You could say I became a part of the global community that summer.
My eyes were opened to diversity, my world broadened to new horizons. I was anxious and worried about what it was going to be like - especially living with a host family. Although I had traveled abroad with my family in the past, traveling without anyone I already knew was certainly scary - but the anxiety quickly subsided when I got to know my group members and host family. I felt special and welcomed. My host family was interested in learning about who I was and where I was from. It was a mutual learning experience.
My self-esteem and self-confidence bloomed that summer. I had something to tell my friends at home about that made me special and able to contribute more in my Spanish classes. The Experiment planted the seed for the growth of my social, academic, and personal accomplishments. It gave me a sense of direction and helped me to find my niche in life, particularly academically and socially. Not only did my Spanish skills improve, I was given motivation to continue learning Spanish. I now had something that I felt I was good at, and wanted to be able to keep in touch with my new friends.
I learned to question my assumptions as well as a bunch of life lessons in those 5 short weeks, some from others in my group, group leader, and host family, most from my own mistakes. I learned about the stereotypes that some Mexicans have about Americans, and how I could behave to prove them wrong, realizing that when I am in a different country, I am in a way representing all Americans.
Not knowing anybody was one of the scariest but best parts of the experience - I had to figure out who I was, not live up to what others had already thought of me. The impact of the experience has a lot to do with the life stage of Experimenters. I turned 15 in the summer of 2000, the summer of my "Experiment." The experience helped me to form a positive self-identity, an important human development task of the teenage years. Of course, everyone's experience with the Experiment in International Living is unique. We are all unique individuals and each group and host family is made up of unique individuals.
The countries that Experimenters go to are diverse and in many ways vastly different; but no matter the country and the culture explored, the Experiment offers young people the opportunity to learn about themselves, learn social skills, reflect on their own culture, develop self-confidence, and create cherished memories that will last a lifetime.
