I am having a foreign exchange student in July. good or bad things that i should be prepared for???

Question

In july i am having a foreign exchance student from france and i was just wondering if anyone out there has had one before and pros and cons to it. also good and and bad experieces. any stories???

Answer 1

What is your question? do you want to know about france or the student?

Answer 2

My family and I have hosted 7 exchange students over the past 5 years. We are currently hosting a two week French student, and next month we will host a 3 week French Student. Our other students over the years were from Japan, France, Poland, Vietnam, Brazil, and Taiwan. 5 out of 7 were with us for 10 months so I've had a lot of experience.

As for Pros, it’s hard to count. A family can benefit in so many ways when they host. From our experiences, we now have an extended family that resides on three other continents and who speak 6 different languages. Having our exchange students has caused us to travel more, and my mother went to Europe for the first time this past summer when we visited our French exchange student from 4 years ago and our Polish exchange student from 3 years ago. Having exchange students has taught me to be open minded, accepting, patient, and has allowed me to better connect with people from all around the world. Because of exchange students and my love for culture and meeting new and different people that developed over the past 5 years, I am now working towards becoming an English as a Second Language Teacher, so that I can travel the world and teach English.

As for Cons, it depends on what you perceive as bad. It does cost money to host because you provide food, a place to stay, and pay extra utilities while the person is with you. There will probably be some difficulties when it comes to communicating during the first few days but that resolves its self in time. As long as you speak clearly, and make sure they understand. Many of my exchange students in the past have just nodded their head or said "yes" when they really had no idea what we were saying. So expect some confusing and your student doing the exact opposite of what you tell them from time to time.

Each exchange student has been and will always be a part of my family. They are my sisters and brothers and I constantly think about them and remember all the great times we've shared. I'm very glad that you will be hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful experience. If you stay open minded, and aren’t quick to judge, I predict you will enjoy welcoming this student into your home, and hopefully you will stay in contact so that they can open their home to you just as you opened your home to them.

Answer 3

I am good friends with an exchange student, I did not host one but I know him and his family got along real well for the most part. He said we are taught to accept where we get put. The only problem he had was when he got an American girlfriend, I think he was head over heels and it pissed his host family off.  I know his host family well and they've had nothing but nice things to say about the kids they hosted, even my friend Gerrit. You should be fine, my friends bad experience had to do with love, but him and his host family are fine now, they keep in touch. Just live your normal life and the kid will adapt. Help him/her out where you can.

Answer 4

Obviously be prepared to have language issues, but most of all, be ready to be frustrated and then get over it.  You and your exchange student have grown up in different cultures, so there are bound to be difficulties.  I suggest you move on quickly so you can enjoy your time.

My school used to do an exchange program, and for the most part, everyone enjoyed it.  What everyone liked was getting to know their own town better.  I live near Chicago, so there were trips to the city and both the American and French students had a chance to enjoy the sites.  Try and get in some research on fun places to go, and your summer should be great!