Christina. I tell people about it and people ask, "You go to camp?" But I say, "It's not really like camp. It's more like a college experience, and you get to know all these people from all around the world. It's a totally different thing."

Alexandre. I was here last summer for six weeks, and I wanted to come to the States on my own and meet people, actual Americans. It was really a life-changing experiences because most of the stereotypes I had when I came were actually very wrong. The opposite, in fact. So I was really pleased. And with all the college experience, I'm pretty excited now to go to college.

Alexandre. With the way the schedule's set up and how we get to choose classes, it's like college. And being on the campus and in the dorms makes you really feel like you're going to college.

Maddie. Not only does it prepare you for the social aspect of college, but it also gives you the academic expectations of college of, you know, you're not going to be babied. You're expected to take chances, take risks.

Christina. It's different because here you pick your classes, so the responsibility's on you to participate.

Maddie. I learned to open up a little and be more outgoing. Take risks. And don't wait to take risks. You're here to take something away, and if you're not putting in something, you're not going to get anything out.

Daniel. What I think Explo brings out in people is creativity. I mean, even the math and science classes here use so many creative tactics to help you learn. It's a different experience than school, and it helps you to become a more full person.

Alexandre. What I learned was that you always need to be ready to do something new, always be open to new opportunities. If you're open to things, you think, "Oh, maybe I should go on that trip, or maybe I should take that class." You always find new friends, you always try new things, and I think that enhances your Explo experience.

Maddie. Explo kind of forces you to get to know new people that you maybe wouldn't have considered talking to if you were in your comfort zone. Like, if you were back home, you're probably not sharing a bathroom with five or six other people that you just met. They're in your suite and in your room every night, you know, sharing your Oreos and borrowing your flip-flops.

Maddie. I came back because of the last week and a half. It took me a while, but I finally learned how to take a risk, and I figured if I did it again but for the whole three weeks, I would have a really great time.

Christina. I didn't know if I would come back, but I realized that I'm a different person now than I was last summer and there's a lot that I learned that I can use. I feel like I can get even more out of the Program than I did last year, even though I had such a great time last year.

Alexandre. The main reason I came back this year is because I really missed Explo. Last year was so awesome that I knew that I'd make new friends again, I'd do new, exciting stuff, I'd go to places that I don't have the chance to go to at home.

Christina. It's awesome.

Alexandre. Yeah, it's totally awesome.