Have you been a foriegn exchange student? What was it like, and what did you gane from the experience? Advice?

Question

I'm going to france in august

Answer 1

Being an exchange student was one of my most fulfilling, challenging experiences of my life. I spent my junior year of high school in Germany.

First off, even if you are familiar with the language (I had two yeas of high school German, plus an intensive language course for one month before going to my host family), the process of assimilating into the fluent language is mentally draining. My brain hurt every day for months. If you don't cheat and use English as sparingly as possible (or your mother-tongue, whatever it may be!), you generally become fluent in six months, and it stops being hard after about two. By month eight, I was dreaming in German!

Culture shock is inevitable, though it happens to all of us in varying degrees. Mine wasn't so bad -- I was raised in a quasi-European household, and had been to Germany once before, plus my language classes in high school had outlined pretty clearly the big differences. There were still days where I felt hopeless, confused, and sometimes angry. It's key to talk to someone when you're having a hard day -- best if it is someone local (don't call home every time you're upset, as you might become the student who "lives abroad" but never really leaves home!) or find small activities, like listening to music or seeing a film you like, that will take the edge off. Every time there is something frustrating about the culture, remind yourself of three things you LOVE about being there. If you're American, especially (no offense if you're not and I've assumed!), you will be expected to defend/represent your country, particularly in today's international political climate. Be patient and open-minded, but don't let anyone walk all over you, either.

I gained so much from my year abroad. Particularly, I gained self-confidence from dealing with all these little mental challenges and over-coming them, partly by myself. It's difficult being away from your parents, family and friends for a long period of time, and in a foreign country, but you learn so much about your strengths and weaknesses in such a foreign, fish-out-of-water situation. I also gained a life-long love of Germany and Europe! You'll find the little things about the culture will be endeared to you for life, even the silly things like bad techno music! :D

There's so much more, but those are the basics. I have never known anyone who was an exchange student and sees it as a negative. At the least, it is guaranteed to be character-building!