Foreign exchange: semester, school year, or summer?

Question

I am a freshmen in high school, and I would like to participate in a foreign exchange to Austria possibly next year (but most of the application deadlines have already passed, I think) or my junior year.

I've always wanted to be a foreign exchange student but I don't know how long would be perfect.

I was thinking summer (as I don't have to stay away from my family that long and it doesn't affect my education here), but part of my wanting to be an exchange student since I was little was the idea of participating in school activities in another country and interacting socially with other people my age.

So.. semester or year? I know people who have gone for a year and they said that it was a life-changing experience, that it was hard because it was so long but that's what made it all worth it. But I'm worried about what it will do to my education here.

What should I do?

Any tips, suggestions, would be highly appreciated.

Answer 1

Unless you speak really good German already (good enough to watch German TV), you'll need a year. Going for just a semester is useless otherwise. I'm German and I vividly remember the Canadian exchange student we had for 3 months in our class (11th grade). It was a total desaster, bc he couldn't communicate at all, much less follow the lessons. And just when he started to speak a bit he had to home.

Answer 2

I agree with the above poster! Summer should DEFINITELY be out -- that's really just a tourist trip. As far as a semester exchange, the problem is that you are JUST beginning to be comfortable at the end of it ... with your friends, in the language and in the surroundings ... and you have to go home! The person from Germany noted that about the Canadian student -- I see that all the time in US schools. Students with lower English skills JUST begin to fit in and learn, and then leave!

Language immersion is the most valuable part of your exchange! Don't cut yourself off at semester!

Also, you should seriously consider an additional exchange year in college. Perhaps to another German-speaking country. That will really put the polish on your language skills!