Should I Attend the EXPLO Focus program?

<p>Hello everyone,</p>

<p>I've been offered a full scholarship to attend the EXPLO Focus Foreign Affairs program at Yale this summer. Money is no object (see full scholarship).<br>
I've see a ton of hate for this program on this website specifically, so that makes me hesitant to attend. Basically, I worry it could be a waste of two weeks that I could be spending working or volunteering. </p>

<p>Any thoughts would be appreciated. Should I attend? Should I stay home (California)?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>Hi</p>

<p>Glad I saw your post, you’d be nuts not to go! I went to the regular 3 week program at yale a couple years ago and it was awesome. I talked to kids in foreign affairs while I was there & they kept saying how much fun it was. I heard from friends the scholarships are really competitive, I would say go for it! </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>Hi,
Over this past summer, I spent five weeks at Explo at Yale: 3 for the first session and then 2 for Explo Foreign Affairs. I was particularly nervous, given that I had a bad experience at a different sleep away camp and was nervous about making new friends. When I arrived at Explo, it quickly became clear to me that my fears were irrational. Never have I ever met such intelligent, including, and accepting people in my life. Everyone is nice to everyone, the days are busy, and there is always something to do. While I understand some people complain that the camp is particularly strict in terms of abiding by the rules, the staff is amazing (I am still in touch with my RA and the rest of my living group for that matter) and are really fun to be around. I had so much fun during the first session that I was nervous about the foreign affairs program. Those two weeks, though, were even better than the first three. I came to the program having little experience with foreign affairs and understanding foreign policy/current events and came out of it with a new passion and interest. The teachers who taught it were the editors of Foreign Affairs Magazine and were amazing- patient, accepting, and really fun teachers. There is no homework, activities every night, and an amazing trip to NYC at the end of the Foreign Affairs program. You would be missing out on an absolutely FANTASTIC experience if you decide not to go. If I could live at Explo, I would. I miss it everyday and am really jealous that you have not experienced it yet. It really is amazing. </p>

<p>Hope this helps and good luck!</p>

<p>Hello everyone!</p>

<p>Thanks so much for your responses, they really helped!
I now think I will attend this program, and your words definitely aided me in my decision.</p>