Foreign exchange student??

Question

I'm 14, but I'm simply intrigued with the concept of being a foreign exchange student. I'd probably want to go during my junior year and stay in either England or Austrailia. Naturally, I am curious about the advantages and disadvantages or being a foreign exchange student. Like, does it favorably effect your chances of getting into a colleges/jobs, or do people do this solely for the experience? Say that there was a position for an educational scholarship, and say two hopefuls were exactly the same except for one had been a foreign exchange student for a year, who would be chosen for the scholarship? i'm genuinely interested, and any advice is appreciated![: thanks!!

Answer 1

Check out Usa.afs.org ( thats if you are in us) it doesn't have england as a choice as do most exchange organizations but AFS does offer Austraila and New zealand along with many other countries. When I was first thinking about foreign exchange I really wanted to go to england but discovered only a few offered it and those that did were not know like AFS. But my reason to go there was I wanted to go some where that spoke english. Ended up going to France ( took a chance).

Keep in mind that an experience abroad is far more culturely different( the whole point in going) when you go to some place that doesn't speak your native language. Its far more rewarding because you come back with so much more along with a new language you're fluent in :]

Answer 2

think and research: aren't the grades during your junior and senior year important to get accepted into (a good) college?

being a foreign exchange student is a great idea. due to a different curriculum in schools overseas, you might not get the best grades there.

so, do your year abroad when the grades don't count for your further education (college); e.g. during your sophomore year.

good luck and have a grand time!

Answer 3

Yes, it does affect your chances of getting into college. It gives you a better rate of getting accepted. If it was between you and another person, for getting a scholarship, you would most likely get it because you studied abroad and they didn't. However, since you want to go to somewhere like England or Australia that will severely lower your chances with these situations because they are english speaking countries. If you go somewhere like Denmark, Sweden, or Italy, that's different because they speak Danish, Swedish and Italian. So I would suggest going somewhere where you can learn a new language. Here is a very helpful website forum: http://www.cultures-shocked.org/forum/?