What They Don’t Tell You About Being an Exchange Student (2024)

FAQs

What They Don’t Tell You About Being an Exchange Student? ›

No body warns you just how fast the time will go – and if they do, you do not listen. No body tells you that being an exchange student will be one of the hardest things you ever do. Learning to completely adapt to a new country, new language, new school, new family. Everyday presents a new challenge.

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What they don't talk about is the hardships that come along with it. There might come a time where you feel confused and will want to go home. It's all a part of the growth process and I hope you learn to love your experience abroad.

Students are not allowed to miss school in order to travel with visiting parents. Host Rotary Clubs do not allow visits by siblings or friends with no accompanying adult during the exchange year. Avoid serious romantic activity. Abstain from sexual activity and promiscuity.

It's a great opportunity to see parts of the world you might not have otherwise visited and the experience can teach you a lot about different cultures. Visiting other countries can help change your worldview and give you an international outlook – something that is highly-sought after by employers.

An exchange student typically stays in the host country for a period of 6 to 12 months; however, exchange students may opt to stay for one semester at a time. International students or those on study abroad programs may stay in the host country for several years.

You can expect to pay about $600 per week for an exchange program. Add to that the cost of your travel, which can be equal to the cost of the exchange itself, your visa expenses (if any), and insurance. You'll also need some pocket money and may have to pay for some meals.

This summary of academic literature over a 50-year period by AIM Overseas shows that over 60 percent of employers agree that an overseas study experience is a positive on a résumé. Additionally, 72 percent of employers agree that knowing a second language adds to the appeal of a prospective employee.

They show that you're open to new experiences and are adaptable, which are important traits for a successful college student. That said, it's essential to remember that study abroad experiences are just one part of your application. While it can be beneficial, it won't make or break your admission chances on its own.

Although you shouldn't go abroad with zero savings and try to support yourself entirely with a part-time job, your earnings can be a great supplement to everyday living costs. Alternatively, working holiday visa countries generally allow study alongside full-time or part-time employment.

Do host families get paid? ›

Host Families can receive a monthly stipend of $1,000* (Varies by state) to assist with their expenses. Boost your monthly stipend and earn other rewards by referring qualified host families matched with a student.

Take every opportunity, be brave and step out of your comfort zone. Be aware that you have to be flexible. Also, do not spend every weekend traveling. Part of the experience is learning to live and fully intergrate yourself into the place and culture and that becomes very difficult if you are away all the time.

Yes—I chose to enroll in a high school I wanted and contacted the school directly (they had an international student program) and proceeded from there. The paperwork is usually done by the school themselves or an agent that does most of the work for the international students in some cases.

Choosing to study abroad as a junior is the most popular time to study abroad in college, and many universities recommend taking this route. Because of this, schools often build their international programs to occur during students' third year, making the process easier for you.

No body warns you just how fast the time will go – and if they do, you do not listen. No body tells you that being an exchange student will be one of the hardest things you ever do. Learning to completely adapt to a new country, new language, new school, new family. Everyday presents a new challenge.

In this article, we look at these five common obstacles that international students go through when they move away from home to a new country: financial stress, language barrier, feeling homesick, adapting to a new country, and building a support network.

Studying in your home country: Studying in your home country may limit your networking opportunities and social skills, which may limit your future employment opportunities. And in the global market, studying in your home country does not necessarily mean flexibility or international recognition.

International students can experience challenges in a number of areas, including language barriers, academics, social and cultural differences, discrimination, financial stressors, and mental health concerns. These are not easy problems to overcome, and there is so much we all can do to help.