3 Ways to Make a Foreign Exchange Student Feel Welcome (2024)

FAQs

3 Ways to Make a Foreign Exchange Student Feel Welcome? ›

You love asking questions (and answering them).

Many exchange students are gregarious and outgoing, while others are more relaxed and quiet. No matter the personality of an exchange student, nearly all of them are insatiably curious and love asking and answering questions about different cultures and ways of life.

You love asking questions (and answering them).

Many exchange students are gregarious and outgoing, while others are more relaxed and quiet. No matter the personality of an exchange student, nearly all of them are insatiably curious and love asking and answering questions about different cultures and ways of life.

Offer a supportive environment as the student goes through his or her adjustment process. Be interested in teenagers/international students and have realistic expectations of what life with a teenager is like. Help your student adapt to your family and to U.S. life and culture.

Ask them how they feel about their school work, what they miss about their home country, what they like and don't like about America, and what questions they have. Give them daily or weekly opportunities to write and/or talk about their immigration experience with you and fellow students.

You're willing to be proactive and ask for help.

Part of being independent is not only figuring out everything on your own, but knowing when and how to access the information you need. Most schools have an abundance of resources, such as the International Desk, but students must be proactive and seek them out.

Sharing your home and everyday life with an exchange student will likely teach you as much about your own community and culture as it teaches you about theirs. That's why it's called exchange: it works both ways. By including your hosted student in your way of life, you'll get to see it anew through their eyes.

Exchange students are expected to accept the discipline of the host parents. They should be flexible and adaptable, making every effort to fit in with the daily life of the family and doing whatever is asked of them. 2. Exchange students should not expect special food, but should eat the family's normal meals.

Ask colleagues within and outside of your department to help promote your program and set up a time to speak with their classes. Get involved with student clubs and organizations on campus that are related to your program's curriculum to make a presentation about your program and why it would benefit them to join.

Create a welcoming environment in the student's new bedroom. This might include a basket of snacks and water, a book or calendar with photos of your state, a house key on a special key chain, or other small gifts. These small tokens will help your student feel welcome and comfortable in their new home.

To welcome an exchange student, describe your expectations and set boundaries. If there is a language barrier, try using sign language or pictures to communicate with your student. Set a curfew. Treat your foreign exchange student like your own child.

What activities to welcome international students? ›

Think social events (involving both alcohol and alcohol-free), extracurricular and sporting activities, career development sessions, networking opportunities, internships, volunteering in the local community, and undertaking student leadership positions themselves.

A good way to start a conversation with an exchange student is to ask about her country and culture. That's part of why she is in her host country, after all -- it's as much for her to help other people about France as it is for her to learn about the host country. Ask her where she is from, and what is it like there.