• Ecuador Program
  • Student Essay
  • Meet a Past Experimenter
  • Photo Gallery

Ecuador

Meet a Past Experimenter

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

Ryan Rockmore
Hometown: Delmar, NY

Why did you choose to participate on an Experiment program?
I first heard about the high school Experiment program from my cousins who had participated in the SIT college abroad program and had a lot of success. The Experiment was more than just a touristy adventure, but less than a complete immersion living with only one family and forced to one lifestyle for months. It was a convenient approach and really allowed all the participants to view many different aspects of different culture and lifestyle.

What was your most meaningful experience while on your Experiment program?
My most meaningful experiencies on both programs were the homestays. It's easy to make new friends, but even harder to implement yourself as a member of a family, especially of a foreign tongue, and really become one in the family's daily activities. It was a joy to be treated much like a son and to receive the proper care and attention to carry on the five weeks.

What was the highlight?
The highlight of my Ecuador trip must have been the trip to the Galapagos Islands. It was our first group excursion and we were really able to learn a lot about each other, alone for four days on a boat. We saw the most diverse group of animals and learned that if you don't work to preserve the environment, it will naturally suffer. Nothing can be done by one person.

The highlight of my Spain trip was my two week stay in Guadix. This was post-homestay in Granada (fairly big city) and pre-stay in Barcelona (huge city). It was a little hilltown and we put on a play for the locals to watch. We were really thrown into an "off the map" location and shown and taught to appreciate the rich beauty of all Spanish societies and locations.

How did you feel about The Experiment's immersion-based approach?
The homestays in both programs were amazing. The first couple days were tough, but eventually, I was an integrated member of the family. I still keep in touch with my family from Ecuador and I learned everything from cuisine, to social beliefs, societal impacts, and lives of families all around the world. A homestay provides you with something that no teacher or textbook can show you in a picture or describe in words.

How did your group contribute to the experience?
In both programs, I met people from various areas of the United States such as New Mexico, Minnesota, Washington DC, Florida, Massachusetts. You don't have to travel thousands of miles to see different, rich cultures because there are many diverse aspects of American lifestyle right here in the United States. Each group member brought different spiritual beliefs, political views, and values that helped everyone learn and grow from each other.

In what way did the experience result in personal growth that is reflected in your current life?
Both Experiments helped fortify my choice in becoming a Second Language Education teacher in the future. I loved traveling, seeing other cultures, and sharing conversations in the same language with people that live very different lives. My goal is to try and show students in the future the importance of learning about other cultures and broaden their horizons.

If you had one thing to say about why a prospective student should choose EIL, what would it be?
This isn't a teen tour walking around in neon-colored shirts nor are you thrown into a random town in the middle of nowhere all summer. You are truly shown many aspects of the country's society from the big cities to the rural villages. From the touristy attractions but also some locations off the beaten path. By the end, the Experiment has provided you with a rich base of knowledge of the country on many different levels.

What advice would you give to a student about to embark on an Experiment summer program?
The Experiment isn't meant for everyone, but I feel everyone has a little bit of an "Experimenter" in them. If you enjoy traveling, exploring, extending your boundaries, getting out of your comfort zone, and growing intellectually, then the Experiment is definitely for you. You are monitored but are also given a great sense of independence and leadership from day one until the flight home.

In today's world, why is it important for young people to consider participating on an Experiment program?
I feel the Experiment can be valuable to the next generation in many ways, but two most importantly. Studying abroad is being heavily stressed in college and not only does the Experiment show that you've reached out and done something abstract with your summer, but it shows your curiosity. The Experiment gives you a brief stay, rather than a traditional six or 12 month study abroad during college, to experience life away from home and the world around us. Another advantage to teenagers is the ability to be worldly and not so individualistic. You can't expect to take, take, take but not give back in return. Now, more than ever, the United States is broadening its boundaries and becoming very international which stresses the importance of noticing what else is out there.