For release: 
Monday, November 26, 2007

For further information,
visit www.usexperiment.org
or call Jim Hall (305-293-1546)

                                    Second Year for Experiment in International Living

Following a very successful launch last June, this "international cross-cultural" program will be continued and expanded during the summer of 2008.  "About 20 Monroe County students will have the opportunity to travel to different countries and live with host families for up to five weeks," according to Jim Hall, speaking for the Monroe County Education Foundation.        

Last summer, nine students from Monroe County were given scholarships and lived with host families in China, Japan, Costa Rica, Morocco, Australia, Spain, Italy, and Mexico.  They joined about 1,100 participants from across the U.S.

Called "Experimenters," there were six students from Key West High School and three from Coral Shores High School in the initial year.  They were Stephanie Carvajal, Yordanys Portal, Ethan McKenzie, Ishtiaque Ahmed, Cheryl Chavka, and Lianette Cordova--all from Key West, along with Anna Holmbraker, Bella Larrazabel, and Myriam Bilodeau--from Coral Shores. 

"The Monroe County Education Foundation (MCEF) is partnering with the Experiment in International Living (EIL) to offer this unique travel and study opportunity to Monroe's students," said Hall.  "All students finishing their sophomore or junior years next May are eligible to apply.  There are programs in 28 different countries in Asia, Oceania, Europe, Africa, Central, and South America.   All Experimenters leave the last week in June 2008 from one of the three departure airports: Miami, New York, or Los Angeles and return prior to the opening of the new school year."

After 75 years and more than 70,000 Experimenters, EIL is an acknowledged leader in cross-cultural education for high school students.  Experimenters focus on themes such as community service, language study, ecology, travel or the arts, as they enjoy life with their host families.

National Director John A. Meislin said, "In December, I will be at each high school to meet interested students and parents.  Meet me at 4:30 p.m. at one of the schools as follows:  Tuesday, December 4 at Key West, Wednesday, December 5 at Marathon, or Thursday, December 6 at Coral Shores."

Depending on the destination, the all-inclusive fees range from $4,100 to $6,900, which families and students can pay themselves.  "In addition, grants are available for Take Stock In Children scholars who wish to participate," Hall added.  Organizations and individuals wishing to sponsor students from low-income families are invited to contact Jim Hall at 305-293-1546, or by email at: Jim.Hall@KeysSchools.com