The Experiment in International Living is excited to continue offering two competitive and partially funded high school summer leadership programs — Leadership Institute: Climate Change in Costa Rica and Leadership Institute: Spanish Language & Community Engagement in Spain.
These programs focus on leadership development, global issues, and civic engagement. Participants can expect to have focused discussions on the local and global ramifications of topics such as climate change and social change, gain a critical understanding of these and other global issues, and have meaningful opportunities to see in real-time what communities are doing on the ground to address these challenges.
Program Components
Pre-travel virtual workshops. Participants will spend approximately ten (10) hours, including six (6) to eight (8) virtual components, plus approximately two (2) hours in-person.
Virtual: You will have two (2) asynchronous virtual modules over Canvas and two (2) virtual synchronous sessions with your cohort.
Participants will also have a pre-departure orientation, program overview, and a thematic overview.
These synchronous virtual sessions are required will be held during evenings and/or weekends.
Program in Costa Rica or Spain (four weeks). Students spend four weeks in the host country — see individual Leadership Institute program pages for details.
Post-travel Community-Based Initiative (CBI) project to be implemented in a participant’s home community. Your post-program commitment includes the time allocated to your action project plus approximately four (4) to six (6) hours of virtual meet-ups and asynchronous modules with The Experiment.
Program Eligibility
To be accepted, all prospective Experimenters must have completed their 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th-grade year but have not yet entered college or university and demonstrate the following admissions criteria through their online application and interview:
Motivation to participate in an Experiment program;
Ability to work in a group setting (in school or outside of school) with peers and adults from diverse backgrounds;
Proven maturity;
Open-mindedness and curiosity about Costa Rican or Spanish life and culture; and
Obtain a passport that is valid through at least the February after your program concludes.
Leadership Institute applicants must also have:
Leadership potential shown through community and/or school involvement;
Commitment to participating in virtual pre-program workshops and sessions and a post-program community action project; reliable internet access during the pre-and post-program components; and
Demonstrated interest in climate change, climate justice, or conservation and environmental work (for Costa Rica); and/or
Demonstrated interest in community engagement and social issues (for Spain)
Alumni of past Experiment Abroad programs are not eligible for the Leadership Institute.
Our admissions and program staff will manage the interview and selection process. Participants will be selected through a transparent, verifiable process based on demonstrated interests and potential, reference form, and personal interviews. Interviews will focus on the applicant’s interest in and commitment to high-quality leadership, global competency, civic responsibility, community engagement, and their enthusiasm for participating and completing the follow-on programming. Leadership Institute participants who complete the program, including pre-and post-program components, will receive a digital certificate of completion.
Applicants will also be evaluated on the following characteristics:
Excellent social and communication skills;
An energetic, positive attitude;
Group-oriented and ability to work within a diverse team
Ability to implement projects that benefit the applicant’s school and/or community;
Demonstrated ability to reflect on learning; and
Demonstrated potential to follow through with projects and apply what one has learned to new projects, initiatives, or plans.
How to Apply
- Go to the Apply page.
- On the Program Selection page, choose Leadership Institute: Climate Change in Costa Rica or Leadership Institute: Spanish Language & Community Engagement in Spain for your first- and/or second-choice program.
- Select a program that is not part of The Experiment Leadership Institute for your third choice. We will consider your application for this third program if you are not accepted to The Experiment Leadership Institute.
- The application deadline for the competitive Leadership Institute summer is January 15.
Need-Based Leadership Institute Scholarships
All Leadership Institute scholarships are need-based and range from $1,000 to full scholarships covering tuition and international airfare. To be considered for a need-based scholarship, on your online application for admission, please answer “Yes,” to the question, “Would you like to apply for a need-based scholarship?” and complete the need-based scholarship application form emailed to your financially responsible parent/guardian.
Costa Rica
Leadership Institute: Climate Change in Costa Rica
Explore Costa Rica’s diverse landscapes, vibrant communities, and unwavering commitment to preserving its natural treasures. Deepen your awareness and learn from local communities to take climate action back to your home community.
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Leadership Institute: Spanish Language & Community Engagement in Spain
Improve your Spanish language skills with formal training as you explore Madrid and Andalucía’s vibrant cultural landmarks and hidden treasures.
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