What Does It Mean to Be an Exchange Student?

In other countries, being an exchange student means going through a lengthy and competitive selection process, which often includes a series of tests or interviews. In most cases, students must be recommended by their teachers for the program. Being selected as an exchange student singles you out among your peers. You passed the tests, you got the recommendations, and now you’re going to represent your country and community abroad. Even before you leave your country, your school or community may honor you in a formal way because you are taking part in the exchange program.

In your host country, you continue to be an extraordinary person, treated specially perhaps, because you are an exchange student. But you are also extraordinary because you are completely outside of your normal environment. You have come to a new family, a new community, and a new school. You find yourself among strangers. How do you fit in? Where is there something familiar for you?

What You Should Expect from an Exchange Program

The number of exchange programs for secondary school students has grown dramatically in the past twenty years. Some exchange programs offer a number of special activities and orientation programs for students, while others simply offer a home stay arrangement. Even in the most basic exchange program, however, the student should expect certain services to be offered.

1. You Should Receive Information before You Depart.

Every exchange organization should provide students with certain basic information before departure. All students should have the name, address, and telephone number of their host families at least one week before they depart from their home countries. Most organizations provide much more information. Frequently, exchange students are able to write to their host families before they leave home, which means receiving the name and address at least three weeks before departure.

2. You Should Be Met upon Arrival.

If You Host a Foreign Exchange Student

To host a foreign exchange student is to give them an impression, usually the first and the best impression, of your home country. Foreign exchange students typically go to universities in other countries, so as to experience a culture different from their own. They want to understand the new country, its language, its customs, and its people. Yes, studies are important, but what they gain most is this assimilation of a foreign country. That being the case, the life at your home would be a very important part of their experience. If you want to host a foreign exchange student, you need to acknowledge this fact and the responsibility it entails.

When you decide to host a foreign exchange student, get all details about their home country and the place they come from. Use this information to make them feel at home. Coming to your country and your home would have been a drastic change for them. Ease them into this change. It would help if you adopted some of their daily routines. For e.g., if they have a favourite breakfast dish, which is easily available, have it ready for them at breakfast, instead of your usual fare. If they like to read newspaper in the morning, offer them a separate copy and so on.