Experiment in International Living
Experiment in International Living (The Experiment), Monroe County, has been a companion program sponsored by MCEF since 2006. In fact, our county has one of the highest rates of student participation in The Experiment, nationally!
Through the program, area high school students benefit from the experience of living abroad with families for 3-5 weeks during the summer. The various program themes are designed to instill a deeper cultural awareness, nurture relationships through the development of language skills, and encourage many other hands-on activities. The Experiment has offered these opportunities, nationally, since 1932. Learn more at the The Experiment website.
Experiment Impact
The MCEF’s Academic Affairs Committee studied the effectiveness of The Experiment among Take Stock in Children Monroe County students. The college completion rate among the 14 TSIC alumni who, while in high school, took part in an Experiment trip was significant.
13 (93%) earned at least an Associate’s degree
10 of the 14 (71%) earned a Bachelor’s degree
Both statistics are well above the averages for college completion percentages for all TSIC students in general. Students attended an equally diverse collection of colleges and universities earned degrees in a variety of fields including:
Anthropology
Communications
Economics
Finance
Mechanical Engineering
While this study was never intended to provide causal evidence, the data indicate a strong positive correlation between those students who took part in an Experiment trip and college completion.