Calling all former exchange students!?

Question

I am thinking about going as an exchange student (as a junior in high school) to Austria.

I don't know a lot about the whole concept however, so I would love it if you could tell me some of your experiences (good and bad) at your country, your host family, or anything else that you think is relevant. Oh. And was the whole thing worth the money? And did you get homesick?

I'd be delighted if I could get some emails about your experiences there, but answering here would be nice too :]

my email address is: [e-mail]

Please tell me here if you sent me an email as I don't check my email unless I have to.

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Hey,

   well i was an exchange student also in my junior year. I went to finland. and it was the BEST year of my life. It was 5 years ago now, and I still miss it everyday!!

   If you are planning on going GO with Rotary Youth Exchange...all you really have to pay for is the plane ticket, and some insurence, but other then that rotary gives you a monthly allowance. Some other Rotary perks are that your rotary club, once your in your host country, sets up many meetings with other exchange students, when i was ther my club gave me an unlimited bus card so i could travel whenever, they had a trip to russia planned for us, and a trip accross europe, but the trips are different in different countries, so since your planning for austria you prbably won't be going to russia, but the trips were so fun...it was great! they rotary truly is the best way to go.

  I never once got homesick because there is just so much to do...but it changes with certain people, there were a good amount of other exchangees who were homesick, it just depends on the type of person you are. The rotary on average sets you up with 3 host families ( i had 4) and I only had a problem with one host mom, the rest I could still call my mom today! but if you have problems with a host family rotary will help you out and try and find you a new one so you or the family aren't miserable...

  the only downside to rotary is that they have rules...tons of them....but we always broke them, there was the 4 Ds, no drinking, driving, drugs, or dating....but these rules were always broken, and nobody ever got caught...

  if you have any more questions, because i feel that this post is already super long email me at [e-mail]. i'd love to answer any more of your questions....to be an exchange student was the BEST choice i could ever make! don't look at it like its going to cost a lot, or your going to be homesick....it was SO worth it and if i could go again with the rotary i would....now i'm looking to go abroad with my college....it is life changing!

Answer 2

I won't repeat everything said above LOL (Although I agree, Finland is GREAT!).

I've hosted for 13 years ... the biggest thing I can tell you from that perspective is to make sure you fill out your application as carefully and honestly as you can -- especially your letter. That is what your potential family will use to pick you! If you are not honest, then you're off to a bad start already!

But, why don't you check out this site too ... it's an online community of current and former exchange students ..

http://www.exchangestudentworld.com/