Dutch-German Relations

Because Holland is such a small country, he may find his group trip takes him to the surrounding countries of Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany as well as various parts of the Netherlands. If so, he will have an opportunity to sense the hostility which many of his Dutch friends still feel for the Germans, despite the formal cordial relations between the two countries.

It is this type of understanding of a country's customs and people, rather than a superficial tourist's view, that Donald B. Watt had in mind 26 years ago when he made plans for the first Experiment group to go to Switzerland. That first Experiment, in 1932, took a group of American boys to a camp with German and Belgian youths.

The following year, a group of boys and girls lived in homes in Germany for the summer. Since then, the Experiment has broadened its scope to include countries in four continents, plus a program which brings European and Asian Experimenters to the United States.

The Experiment has adopted the slogan "Expect the Unexpected" and some groups have lived up to it more than others. A new book about the Experiment, Passport to Friendship by William Peters, tells the stories of the group that was caught in Spain when civil war broke out there, and the groups in Europe when the Second World War began.

The Insider

But most Experimenters agree that anyone who chooses this unique way of visiting a foreign country can expect a few certainties--an insider's view of their Experiment country, many lasting friendships, and an unforgettable summer