The Experiment: France: Cultural Discovery

I had so much fun on this trip abroad and felt that I fulfilled one of my lifelong dreams which was to go and explore France. This was something I never would’ve expected I’d do in high school but its truly an unforgettable experience.

I had a great time in France. I felt very safe, and The Experiment took so many precautions that I barely worried. The people were amazing, and all the setup for the trip was so helpful. I truly recommend this program to people who want to travel!

The experiment was the best experience of my life. First off Amy and Danielle were absolutely amazing leaders and extremely easy to talk to and the friends I made in the group were extremely nice as well! Along with this the homestay experience was the most uncomfortable yet rewarding experience yet, I had the time of my life living amongst my host family and was able to see how it is to live in a family that is completely different than mine. I would do this all again if I could!

This experience challenged me to grow, change, and learn more about the world outside of my hometown. It was a wonderful experience, and I will always remeber my time abroad. I couldn’t have done it without the support from the Experiment.

We spent 5 amazing days in Paris exploring the city. Then we moved on to our home stays than occurred in Nancy and got to experience normal day to day lives in France. Then moving to Colmar to experience 2 days in a border city with Germany. To end it we spent the last 3 days in Germany. In the end I would say that this experience was an amazing way to get a great cultural experience and I’m so glad that I got to do it.

I liked the experience and the opportunity to go to France and see all the famous things I've always wanted to see. Like the Mona Lisa, Eiffel Tower, arc de Triomphe, and more! I even had my sweet 16 there and had a great time. Except I feel it could have been better if I was more informed by the leaders on the downsides like all the pickpocketing going on in Paris. Because of that, I became a victim of it and I got my phone stolen by a random person during the first few days of the trip while I went out to eat for lunch and I wasn't with the leaders. After that, the leaders and some of the kids tried their best to help but all they could do was report it to the police, they didn't do anything about it and I never got my phone back. The leaders helped me buy a temporary phone but still, It was a traumatizing experience and it spoiled my trip to the point, that I just wanted to go home but I couldn't. After that, I went to my homestay family with a lady I lived with for 10 days. She was alright but the whole time I felt like she didn't like me. After the 10 days ended I went to Switzerland it was beautiful and I loved the country but during that people started being weird. I was with a group of girls and a random guy came up to us and tried to take us to go out with him. Another kid got slapped in the face by a random guy while the leaders were there and everyone witnessed it and got scared. I started to have problems with the other students and they would just either ignore me or just be straight rude to me even though I was nice to everyone. So I didn't want to be in any group and just wanted to explore on my own but I got in trouble for that because when we are out in the country we have to be in a group of at least 3 because the leaders aren't always with us. On the last day, we were back in Paris and It was time to go to the fair and go souvenir shopping but the kids and leaders didn't want me in their group and a girl even yelled at me because I tried to go with her group. so I missed out on the fair and just stayed in the hotel room and cried because my experience was so bad. But then I texted the group chat we had and one of the leaders took me from the hotel and took me to go to a restaurant everyone was in and eat dinner and go souvenir shopping so I felt better. That was the trip for me and I loved the opportunity to see those countries and have by sweet 16 in Paris. but the experience itself could have been better.

Attending The Experiment trip gave me a good sense of the reality in a different country. I got to meet my groupmates, my host family, and even random people who became friends. My group mates were really good and fun. My host family was amazing. I got to see how the typical small town in France is and I met their family members. Switzerland was very cool. Everything was expensive, but the town was very beautiful and right on the lake.

I loved my experience on the France: Cultural Discovery Trip. I loved everywhere we visited, from the big city of Paris, to my tiny homestay town of Bruley, and everywhere in between. I also loved the excursion to Montreux, in Switzerland, definitely one of the most beautiful places I have been with the deep blue water of Lake Geneva with steep mountains surrounding everything, it was breath taking. My host family completely blew my expectations out of the water, they were so nice and accommodating, including me in almost everything, I really felt like a part of a French family. I also liked how much they paid attention to the information about myself that I had told them in my introduction letter. For example, I had mentioned that I love to fly fish and they took me to a fish farm in the area, where I got to see some of the biggest trout I have ever saw, and even try to fish for some. They also introduced me to so many new and interesting experiences, such as a long, traditional French meal after a baptism. I have never sat in one place for so long just eating. One day we even went to Germany when me and my host family visited Strasbourg. I asked if we could go across the Rhine River to the German town of Kehl, and they agreed that would be a cool experience. They also took me to the city of Verdun, where the major World War I battle happened. They knew I was also very into history, so this was really cool also. I also appreciated the small things too like eating dinner with the family, playing bocci/pétanque with my host siblings and their friends, or just having conversations and trying to speak English as simply as possible and get better with my French speaking/listening skills. Besides my time with my host family, I loved roaming the Paris streets with my newly made friends, seeing the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the different gardens, and trying new foods like steak tartare, roasted bone marrow, and sauteed frogs legs. The city of Nancy, near our homestay towns was also very historic and beautiful with the large Place Stanislas and many other historical buildings. Going to Switzerland was so beautiful. The mountains were unlike any I had ever seen from the ground. We visited Gruyere, famous for their cheese, and the medieval town. While there we visited a castle which was very cool, and got to see a chocolate factory and how they make their chocolate. Over all the places we visited and the new experiences are what really made this trip and for me, sparked what I hope is a lifetimes desire to travel the world and experience as many different cultures as possible.

I was so lucky to be able to spend my summer in the beauty that is France. Leaving the country without anyone I knew was definitely scary but it was so rewarding. We got to see some of the most famous things in the world such as the Eiffel Tower, the Mona Lisa, the Notre Dame, and the Arc de Triomphe. Seeing how the French lived their lives daily helped me adapt to the culture and although we did a lot of sightseeing we also got t experience the French life. We did this by shopping for our food in grocery stores or restaurants, navigating the Metro, and walking around to explore. At first, it was scary but making friends made the experience more rewarding and fun. I would recommend applying for this program because it truly is a once in a lifetime experience.

This program offered many new experiences for me, and I found some great friends that I still keep in touch with. I improved my French and was able to talk with my friend in French with the surprise of the others. It was quite the fun group that made everyone feel welcome. In addition the home stay experience was amazing, and the team leaders made sure everyone was doing okay. It was an amazing experience that has changed my life. Simply the greatest time.

I had the amazing opportunity to travel to France and Switzerland with a group of 15 people. During our trip, we explored various cities in France, tried different types of food to broaden our palates, and participated in several thrilling activities. Although I wished our leaders had more activities pre-planned, I still had a fantastic time. While the idea of staying with a host family was initially scary, I eventually grew comfortable with it. If given the chance to travel again, I would do it without hesitation.

On my trip, I met the best people who I still talk to months later. I had so much fun. I often go back to pictures and remember the times and places where these took place. My group leaders made sure everyone was having fun constantly and the free time that we had helped to immerse us into the culture. I would 100% recommend it to others. Some key advice that I have is to learn the language of the place you're going! Luckily, I had two friends who spoke the language very well but when I was by myself trying to speak, I did not do so well. Take the time to learn and you will have a way better experience! This taught me a plentiful amount of things that I don't have space to fit on here. I would automatically do this again if I had the resources. I loved it!

I recently participated in The Experiments "France: Cultural Discovery" program for 22 days (July 2 to July 24), and it was one of the best experiences I've had. I got to experience how much more there is to the world and experience different countries norms. It was a little confusing at first but I eventually learned to adapt. I got to learn how to be independent in a foreign country and got to experience living with a French family for a week. Meeting other students on the trip was also nice, because we had each other to depend on. My personal favorite experience was when we went kayaking because it helped develop bonds in our group. During the trip, we also got to visit Freiburg, Germany and go swimming near the Black Forest. The only thing I could wish for was if the trip lasted a little longer.

The experience I had this summer was nothing I had ever done before. I got to discover new cultures and learn about life that wasn’t just on my island! This was my first time out of state and country and I don’t think there is any way it could have been better. My favorite part of the trip was the home stay because of the connection formed between people who without this program would have never met.

I loved my experience with the Experiment! I had so much fun meeting new students from all over the country and learning new things. France was so different from what I’m used to and I’m grateful that I got the proper introduction to France. I even learned some French. I loved my homestay parents and how kind they were, they were experienced homestay parents which made it easier for me. My favorite experience was when I tried frog legs, snails, and duck liver because it was different from what i’m used to! My group leaders Caroline and Bill were amazing and truly kind people who helped us whenever we needed it. Thank you!

I know that the title of my post might seem like a stretch, but it's not. My Experiment experience was more than any thing that I could have imagined. I came back to America as a more confident, independent individual and I highly recommend that anyone and everyone should take part in this program. Not only did I learn about a totally new culture, I met the most incredible people and had the time of my life. As an applicant, something that scared me was the homestay, but I was scared over nothing. In fact, it was the best part of the trip. The families were amazing and they cared greatly about each and everyone of us. It also gave us a new perspective into the culture, one that you can not get if you are only a tourist. Basically all I am trying to say is: Go on the trip!!!! I guarantee you that you will have the time of your life and will regret it if you do go.

I loved the whole program. We were able to see both the touristic side of France and a more general day-to-day life. The views were beautiful and the people were extremely welcoming and helpful as well.

The Experiment in International Living allowed me time to witness a new country, landscape, and language, all while in the company of like-minded peers. I went to France and Germany with the Experiment as a part of their France: Regional Cultures program. While there, I stayed with a host family in Nancy, rode the subway in Paris to visit both common landmarks and obscure farmers’ markets, and took a ski lift high up into the mountains in Freiburg to see the Black Forest from above. I had time to bond with my fellow experimenters and my host siblings during activities like landmark scavenger hunts and learned a lot about people from not only all over France but all over the U.S. as well. My trip with the Experiment in International Living was a wonderful opportunity, and I encourage high school students looking for travel opportunities to look into it!

Rester, c'est exister, mias voyager, c'est vivre. To stay in the same place is to exist, but to travel is to live. This Summer 2018, I was given the life changing opportunity to go abroad, in which I was exposed to French life and culture over the span of 3 weeks, even visiting the country of Germany in the process. All honesty, I had personally thought that although I was given the chance, I wasn't going to be able to experience it due to the complication of not having a passport, but surely enough, after 7 attempts (a long story) I was handed the blue colored leather document and within the next 4 days, I was seated in the aisle seat of a plane to France. My first few days were definitely an introduction to the country, the moment where I was able to dip my toe into the water to test it all out, consisting of sight seeing, metro trips and trying new foods that some could only imagine eating, like snails. It wasn't until I had seen the Eiffel tower that the fact that I was in France hit me by 25%. Soon after, we left Paris and headed to the city of Nancy, where I jumped straight into French life, living with strangers who easily became my second family. I fell in love with my homestay parents and siblings as soon as they approached me, flipping through French to English dictionaries. They led me around their hometown, bringing me to the square, explaining the history and buying me treats I hadn't known existed such as bubble gum ice cream. At home, I was treated like their own child, running around the backyard with my brother and sisters playing soccer, helping set the table and cook dinner and even witnessing France win the world cup, which ended in an everlasting celebration. It was the day we departed from our families, as we wiped the tears off of each others cheeks that the fact that I was in France hit me by 50%. We headed straight to Germany for 3 days after our homestays, where we had gotten a glimpse of German life, including their food and luxurious hotels before going back to France. The last few days, we did more sightseeing and group bond building, our last night ending with dinner on a boat right beside the glowing tower before taking a boat ride around the area. That night, I was hit with by 70% realisation. It was like before I could say “allez les bleus”, I was on my way back to America. That morning in the airport, our goodbyes were filled with fresh tears and 98% of realisation that I had just spent 3 weeks in the home country of the Eiffel Tower and the macaroon (even with the fact that I couldn't stop saying “merci” after being offered anything) hit me. I came home with not just French phrases staining my vocabulary or the fact that I communicate with my homestay family with every chance I had, but also with a sense of independence, self worth and confidence in trying new things. Till this day, I still feel like I’m dreaming, like I hadn't gone to France and Germany at the age of 16, being an African American girl from a low income part of New York, but I did, that's all thanks to The Experiment In International Living.

Where do I even begin? I loved every single second of those three weeks. I reminisce about it. I wish I can go through everything again. I remember when my group and I first met, we were all so quiet and nervous. Who knew how much amazing things were going to come our way? From seeing masterpieces at the Louvre to climbing up steps of the Notre Dame to seeing the Eiffel Tower in front of our very eyes to canoeing at Le Gard to celebrating France's victory on the World Cup of 2018. Every moment was captivating and mesmerizing. Friendships that started out as caterpillars into blooming like butterflies. I don't even know what to say because so many wonderful things happened. It makes me sad knowing that I won't experience that exact moment ever again in my life. I love my homestay family, they made me feel at home even when home was 6,000 kilometers away. I cried so much when I had to leave them, but we exchanged a "see you soon" instead of "goodbye." Then we went to Italy, Italy is beautiful, it's so colorful as if cans of paint splashed on it, an artwork...a masterpiece. The pizza was so good, and I wish I can teleport myself back there and taste it one more time. From starting in Paris to Nimes to Santa Margherita Ligure in Italy back to France in Nice to ending our journey in Paris, we went on so many excursions, explorations, and had so much fun. Saying goodbye was very hard but I wouldn't change a thing. I'm very grateful and thankful for the Experiment in International Living for giving me this experience. It may sound over-exaggerated to say that this experience was life-changing, but it really expanded my perspective of the world and myself as an individual. The more effort you put into it, the more you will get out of it. So thank you to the Experiment in International Living from the bottom of my heart. These are memories that I will cherish forever.