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Each student has a unique and individual experience on their Experiment program. The following essay is a single glimpse into a program from one student's perspective.

 

Melysa Wilson -- Turkey (TUS)

When I decided to go to Turkey, I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into or what to expect. I had never traveled outside of the country without my parents or been away from home for more than a week or two. I found myself on the edge of fear and excitement. However, looking back, I realize I need not have worried at all. In Turkey I found a place where past meets present, where east and west collide, and where heart and soul beat as one.

I went to Turkey to see ruins and learn about culture, but the experiences and lessons I actually received were far greater than expected and far more important. The personal connections I made while there, not only taught me more about by myself, but they changed my perspective on the world.

For me, the most meaningful connections were made with my family in the small village of Isa Ören and with my host mother in Istanbul because we couldn’t speak the same language. The fact that we had to work so hard at times to communicate made the conversations we had more valuable. It also gave me a greater appreciation for the time we spent together just drinking tea, cooking, or watching TV. Without the complication of words, I could see the innate and basic similarities between their lives and mine. It was comforting to find that, thousands of miles away in a place so different from home, people were grappling with the same problems as me and sharing the same hopes, dreams, and desires as well.

These commonalities gave me a sense of purpose and a source of hope when I looked at headlines about the destruction and terror in the Middle East. I knew that what my group members and I were doing, although small and remote, was a key to improving relations with others around the world.

My group members’ dynamic personalities were also key in transforming my experience from a chance to get away from the norm into a life changing opportunity. As we bonded with our families, we also bonded with each other. We had to learn to trust each other as well as ourselves, encourage one another, and support one another throughout the five weeks we spent together. I watched people afraid to be who they are let loose for the first time in their lives. People shared secrets they were afraid to share with their friends and family back home. By the end of our program, we had an amazing support network and a lifelong bond.

None of us left as the same person we were when we arrived, myself included. I found a new sense of confidence, and I realized how strong a person I could actually be. Most of all, I realized I was ready for the challenges ahead of me in life, like going to college and standing on my own two feet rather than my parents. My time in Turkey was more than just a vacation. My time in Turkey was the most unexpected and rewarding experience of my life.