Most Americans in the United States are familiar with the expression “as American as apple pie.” However, it wasn’t until I studied abroad in France (and later lived and worked in France and Belgium) that I realized just how deeply rooted pumpkin pie, and more importantly the Thanksgiving holiday, was in my American upbringing.

Participants and their families may need to figure out ways to fundraise money for their immersion program. Over the years, we find that students who engage with their local communities and spread awareness about their program enjoy the most fundraising success. Here are some fundraising tactics that have worked for our groups!

Language immersion program participant, Anna Dolan, reflects on her Family Stay Experience®  with her host family in France.

In June 2015, I went on a trip to Ecuador with my classmates through Xperitas. It was my first experience out of the country, and I had been dying to leave home and experience a new place.

Emilio Luna is the recipient of the 2015 Xperitas Alumni Scholarship. The following post is the essay Emilio wrote in his scholarship application about how the travel experience inspired him. It has been edited for length.

Reflections of Hanna, a participant in our French language immersion program, of her time in France with her host family.