Those who have been foreign exchange student?

Question

Have you ever been to a country as a foreign exchange student and somebody who also doesn't speak the countries language tries to become your friend or joins in the group of friends you've just made? I haven't been on exchange, but wondered if it affected you at all. I was thinking this because one of the key points of becoming exchange student is learning the language. If you hang around with somebody who also doesn't speak the countries language, then surely this is not going to help? Also, if there are two foreigners in one small group of friends, this would annoy them because it's twice as much trouble for them, right?

Answer 1

I don't think it matters too much, and I have also found that it is easier to make friends with other exchange students, at least to begin with. They don't know anyone there either and they probably have similar problems and understand each other better. Eventually you'll alos meet the "natives" or whatever you want to call them.  While the majority of people will be lovely, helpful, interested and patient while you're making an effort with their language, some of them (who have probably never been in a similar situation or are just ignorant) might not want to bother, which I always felt was sad, but also said a lot about their character. Also, people like to just use you to improve their English (they like doing that), so you have to make sure that you also get to speak their language.

I have found that once you get used to talking to someone in one language, it is harder to swap to another one, especially if it's not your mother tongue.

I was always glad when, after a whole day of trying to understand I could talk to someone in English, when I didn't have to concentrate as hard.

And what you said about it being twice as much work when there's two foreigners in a small group of friends, I have nnot found that to be true, because once you make an effort to speak slowly and clearly with some extra explanations here and there, it doesn't ususally matter how many non-native speakers there are.

Answer 2

i've been an exchange student, i cant say this happened to me. even if it did, you would still need to learn the language...one other friend not speaking that language wont get you by.

i found although my exchange was only a short term one, it helped me immensely as i lived with a french family who did not speak 1 word of english. didn't have a choice but to better my french.