Can you help? My family's getting a foreign exchange student tomorrow!?

Question

He's coming from Korea. He's in NJ now (we're in NY).

We weren't even asked to have him until yesterday, so we're in a huge rush to get everything together.

Can you tell us ways to make him more comfortable and welcome?

We're all REALLY excited, but nervous.

He arrives at 9 in the morning (I won't meet him until about 12, cuz I ave cheerleading).

Thank you!

Answer 1

I grew up with my parents hosting a couple different exchange students - it was a great experience. Just make sure they have their own space (bed room) with the basic necessities. Otherwise they need to experience your home and family as it is. Don't make it anything it isn't or it won't be the true cultural experience for him that it should be. Just be friendly and welcome him. Make sure he knows he can be comfortable asking for anything if he doesn't know where to get it.

Answer 2

Well I've hosted exchange students and been an exchange student (three different times!) and I absolutely agree that having a personal space is important. Privacy is important and culturally speaking may be that much more important to your student.

Here's a list of things I would do:

* Have a clean, comfortable, and private space for him. It doesn't have to be fancy or anything - but he'll need a place to sleep, keep his things, and retreat to during his stay.

* Get him a welcoming gift. Yes you're welcoming him into your home and that's a very large gift - but something tangible for him to see as a gesture of welcoming and to take home and share as part of his experience. Plus he will probably have gifts for you. Something simple is fine - something that speaks to the culture or sites of New York. I'm from Oregon and we have a store called "Made in Oregon" that sells products (souvenirs, wines, university apparel, food, and other specialties of the state) that are sort of icons of my state - places like those are so easy to find gifts from!

* Talk to him and figure out how strong his English is. You'll want to figure out a way to communicate that makes him feel included and so that you all understand each other. Try to learn a few words in Korean too (hello, thank you). My parents hosted a French student who didn't understand English very well and so we had a computer in the living room and they used the language translator when my sister (we speak French) weren't around. If he's coming to America chances are very good he has already been studying English a while or is very eager to learn - so either way should be pretty ok to work with. :) Remember that you're going to end up his teachers in a sense - so keep that in mind! Speak clearly and at a reasonable pace to help him understand (but don't go so slow as to insult his intelligence!).

* Make sure his dietary needs are taken care of - ask him what foods he doesn't eat and either don't eat them while he's there (if it's a short period of time) or have an alternative for him. Food can be an especially difficult thing to deal with in foreign countries believe it or not!

* Research a little about Korea. It'll help you understand him to know a little about where he's from - not that you should expect a walking, talking stereotype, but try to figure out the major cities, common religions, and understand the general politics between the US and Korea (that may help you understand what impressions of the US he may have).

* It's really hard to live in a foreign country with strangers so remember to give him his space and respect that his culture is different (he may eat, bathe, study, etc. differently than you!). Invite him to do things with your family and give him some insight into American culture! Have fun!

The first day or two will probably be a little awkward because that's how things are. The best thing is to just be kind and patient. He will appreciate that more than you know!

It's really great of your family to open your home to him like that - especially on such short notice! It is bound to be a great learning experience for all of you, so hopefully you get the chance to really interact with him and learn from him so he can get the chance to do the same! Have fun and don't sweat it - it really comes naturally! Reading will hopefully give you some things to think about, but ultimately it's up to your family how to welcome and host him! Just make sure his basic needs are being met. :)

Good luck! :)

Answer 3

Your best bet is to give him his own separate space to be in (bedroom) and access to all amenities - also, try asking him if there's something he'd like to eat that he can get at home that you could possibly make there.  Chances are the change in food quality and ingredients could make him a little sick at first.