Phone:
800.257.7751
TTY:
802.258.3388
Fax:
802.258.3508
Mailing Address:
PO Box 676, 1 Kipling Road
Brattleboro, VT 05302 USA
The Experiment in International Living
Unlocking Potential:
Cultural Immersion
"We were exploring another country and seeing their culture, but at the same time we were learning a lot about American culture and ourselves."
--Kristian Bailey
The Experiment in International Living
- Founded in 1932 with the aim of changing the world one friendship at a time, The Experiment in International Living has introduced more than 70,000 young people to international issues.
- Each summer, challenging summer abroad programs in 30 countries help 1,000 high school students develop a close connection with the people and culture of another country.
Kristian Bailey
Growing up in New York, Kristian Bailey never imagined that one day he would live along the Italian coast, wade in the Mediterranean, or sip coffee while conversing in Italian. Due to his studies at the Dalton School and his focus on getting into a good college, Bailey had never traveled outside of North America before.
That all changed when Bailey went to Italy with The Experiment in International Living. Bailey joined nine other high school students for five weeks in Italy, going on educational excursions and experiencing Italian language and culture firsthand.
"It wasn't just a tour of the major tourist sites of the city," he said. "It was really taking you into small villages and towns you hadn't heard of before, interacting with the people that lived there, learning about how they lived."
Whether living with an Italian home stay family or enjoying gelato with friends, what resonated most with Bailey was the difference in lifestyle between New Yorkers and Italians. A far cry from his stressful life in the Big Apple, Bailey spent his free time relaxing on the beach, strolling through ancient city streets, or making friends with locals. "Coming from a city like New York where everything is go, go, go, it was nice just having a slower pace," he said.
Bailey enjoyed his time in Italy so much that he worried he would have trouble getting used to the streets of New York again. Instead, what he discovered is that neighborhoods that previously seemed mundane were now imbued with new life and flavor.
"We were exploring another country and seeing their culture, but at the same time we were learning a lot about American culture and ourselves. I started to realize how special some parts of New York City are - like where I live in Long Island."
Bailey credits the Experiment in International Living for showing him that it is possible to find a balance between taking school seriously and appreciating life as well.
by Michael Snyder