You too can be a foreign exchange student

Have you ever wondered why there are so many foreign students at your school, college or university? Have you considered the possibility of you studying abroad as part of you studies?

Many full time overseas students are studying for a full degree at your college and stay for the 3 or 4 years it takes to complete the course.

There are however, thousands of foreign students studying on a short term basis, usually for the second or third year of their course. These are exchange students and as these exchange programs are generally reciprocal you may be able, as part of your study program, to study at an overseas university for a year.

Each year there are also thousands of school children who also attend school in another country for periods up to a year. Again it is not because their families have moved during the summer but it's because they are foreign exchange students and their experience abroad is as much a part of their education as their regular classroom studies.

Foreign exchange students can be found in many different countries all over the world. They generally have an avid interest in the culture of the area they have traveled to and usually have to have at least a basic grasp of the language.

By living abroad they gain an insider’s knowledge that they could never aquire from a text book back in their homeland thousands of miles away. In addition they learn the language, often becoming fluent during their time abroad

Foreign exchange students embark on an adventure that includes living in the home of virtual strangers for months at a time. The program involves recruiting host families who provide a place to stay as well as the essentials for the foreign exchange students.

Host families are carefully screened and chosen based on certain criteria. When a host family applies to the program they are asked if they have a preference regarding the gender of the foreign exchange students or the age. The majority of foreign exchange students are in the mid to late teens.

Once the host family is chosen they are given more information on the student that will be living with them. This helps them prepare for their arrival.

The foreign exchange students in the program have usually studied the language and the culture of the country they are visiting and therefore have the ability to communicate, at least at a basic level, with their host family. Sometimes host families are surprised by the level of comprehension that the foreign exchange students have.

Foreign exchange students also have to go through a series of steps to enroll and participate in the program. Being away from their homes and familiar surroundings can be difficult and therefore they are normally expected to undergo several psychological tests including speaking with a professional. It is important for the foreign exchange students, their parents and the host family that the children are able to handle and embrace the experience.

Many foreign exchange students become an honorary member of the family they visit. When their visit has ended and it’s time for them to return home it can be a bittersweet experience. It can also be difficult for the host family as they have to say goodbye to the young person who lived with them for months.

Frequently the host family and student become lifelong friends and visit each other regularly.

If your school or college participate in a student exchange program (and most do) and you are studying a course where you will benefit from the overseas experience (e. g. a foreign language) then enquire and see whether you could be spending the next academic year abroad. Whether you are one of the foreign exchange students or part of the host family the experience can be one of the most enriching and rewarding things you will ever do.

Student flats

Everybody knows that university can be an expensive time of your life. It is usually three or four years of living in rented accommodation, paying university fees, for books, for all your educational needs, and for all your other living expenses, without properly earning anything at all for the entire period. University costs thousands of pounds these days and you will probably have to fund the entire period either from money provided by your parents, if you are lucky, or money borrowed.

Most students, who have to move away from their parent’s home for study, will rent their accommodation. You can usually choose between renting from your university o renting from the private sector. Renting from university has its advantages and disadvantages. First of all, you will be living in halls which has a reputation for being noisy and maybe a little less conducive to study than a university provided accommodation should be. But on the other hand, you will probably be glad of the opportunity to socialise and meet new people. You will have a lot of students similar to yourself around you and you will be able to get to know all of them very quickly.

Halls also give you the option of being catered or self-catering. This means that if you are not sure about cooking and are a little apprehensive about taking on all the responsibilities of moving away from home all at once, you can have your meals provided for you. You also will probably not have to worry about bills, as everything will be included in your rent fee. Rent is usually paid in instalments that coincide with student loan and grant instalments so you should be able to meet your costs.

Halls tend to be a little bit more expensive than finding a flat however. This is because all your bills are included, even your food if it is catered accommodation, and all the other services that may be provided by your university. If you want to save some money on accommodation, what you could look into is finding some friends or flatmates and renting a flat near to your university. This will entail all of the responsibilities of living away from home. You will have to pay a deposit plus your rent on time every month, bills for all utilities will be sent directly to you from the companies, and you will certainly have to cook for yourself. It does offer you good value however, as the cost of renting a flat, divided between you and your flat mates, should be significantly cheaper than halls.