Helpful Advices

Preparing to Go Abroad

Feeling Excited, Feeling Nervous

For most exchange students, the preparation stage is an exciting time. You eagerly search the Web for all sorts of information about the country you will live in. You find photos, maps, online newspapers, and tourism sites. You get information about the history, the climate, and the currency. You find some help with the language. You may also feel some regret at having to leave your own country, and have worries about being away from home for such a long time. It is normal to have such misgivings. If you are one to worry a little bit about what is ahead of you, that’s okay.

If you are overly worried, try to manage your anxiety. Think about some of the difficult situations you’ve faced in the past. How did you cope? How did the situation turn out? Hamida, an Egyptian, was worried about coming to the United States. Was her English good enough to make friends? What would she say? Would she be accepted?

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.

Except in very unusual circumstances, every exchange student should be met upon arrival by either the host family or by a representative of the exchange organization, or both. Before arriving in the host community, you may have to change planes once in the host country or switch from the airport to a train or bus. In any case, you should be met at the airport, train station, or bus terminal at your final destination.