Profile of a Past Experimenter

Rachel Brookstein

Hometown: Fort Washington, PA Year: 2006

Why did you choose to participate on an Experiment program?

I heard about the Experiment for years because my mom did it when she was 16. She went to Denmark and constantly talks about it. For me, going on the Experiment was inevitable.

What was your most meaningful experience while on your Experiment program?

Every afternoon my Spanish family and I would sit down for comida, a Spanish style lunch. It was the biggest meal of the day so my brother, sister, mother, and father were all there. One day, my father started talking about the Tour De France and how there was an American bicyclist, only it was all in Spanish. I really could not understand so he brought out a dictionary. Then my sister started trying to explain it to me in battered English along with my brother. My mother then proceeded to bring out an English to Spanish translator all in attempts for me to understand one meaningless thing. I felt so welcome and I really could not be happier that my family really wanted me to understand what they were talking about, no matter what it meant. After I figured it out we continued to eat comida while laughing about the intensity the conversation had provoked.

What was the highlight?

During my last night with my host family, after our group banquet, my family took me to a Woodstock-esque type concert. It was about an hour away from our home and it was already past midnight. The family did not care what time it was because they felt my visit would not be complete without this concert. We got there and my father immediately started seeing a bunch of his friends and introduced me to so many people. There was a Spanish band playing and there were many people at this outdoor concert. I had such an amazing time and I know I would never do anything like it at home.

How did you feel about The Experiment's immersion-based approach?

I really enjoyed my homestay because I connected so much with my family. At first I was really nervous to not be able to see my friends and speak Spanish but after about two days I realized how lucky I was. I learned so much Spanish because I really had to in order to survive. I became almost fluent in those two weeks and learned more of the language than any class will ever teach me. While living with my family I really learned so much about the culture of Southern Spain and I think that the only way to learn is to experience.

How did your group contribute to the experience?

I was so lucky in that I had the most perfect group. I have to say, I have never met a group of such nice kids in my entire life. All of the kids really wanted to be there which meant such positive attitudes. My group members really helped me through my homestay because they knew I was nervous. When we got together, they reassured me and made me realize that I was actually lucky to not see them very much. I met kids from boarding schools, public schools, big cities, Native American tribes, and many other places that I would normally never get to meet. I feel blessed that I had such an amazing group.

In what way did the experience result in personal growth that is reflected in your current life?

Today I think I could be dropped in any country in the world and be okay. I now know how to communicate without words and help myself. I am much more open to trying to new things including food, adventures, languages, and meeting people.

If you had one thing to say about why a prospective student should choose EIL, what would it be?

EIL gives you the chance to embark an experience that is once in a lifetime. Since EIL allows you to live with a family and in a group setting you get the best of both worlds. The only way to learn about the culture and language is to try it first hand and EIL gives you that.

What advice would you give to a student about to embark on an Experiment summer program?

An EIL student should never be scared to try new things. If you are going to go somewhere where you know no one I think you may as well do whatever you want. If you want to try something, try it. I learned this the hard way by not doing things I really wanted to and regretting it. Don’t be scared to take a risk because no one is judging you.

In today's world, why is it important for young people to consider participating on an Experiment program?

I think that every high school kid should get the chance to go abroad. The Experiment easily lets people do this in a way the not just educates them but gives them a option to meet best friends and become fluent in a language. Everyone needs to be opened up and EIL does that to you.