Student Exchange Programs: The Basics

Are you one of the thousands of students considering studying abroad in the upcoming school year via some type of student exchange program?  Do you still have several questions with regard to these programs—questions as to how student exchange programs work and what you can expect?  Student exchange programs offer you a unique opportunity to study and live in a foreign country for a time; an adventure that will allow you to gain a fresh new perspective, both academically and culturally.  Thousands of students take part in student exchange programs each year, and just like you, many of them will have questions regarding some of the specifics involved once acceptance to the program has been granted and finalized.   To help answer some of these questions, below we have outlined some of the basics associated with student exchange programs, including what they are, how they work and a brief description of some of the potential accommodations while living in the host country.

Student Exchange Programs:  What They Are and How They Work

Student exchange programs, which are typically academically based, are programs in which high school and university students are given the opportunity to travel to a foreign country to study and live for a semester or full academic year.  The courses students study while living abroad are almost always part of their home school’s curriculum, and the instruction is provided by a teacher who speaks the student’s native language.  In most cases, students will receive credit for the coursework they complete while participating in student exchange programs—credit that will be applied towards either their high school diploma or university degree. 

The word “exchange” in student exchange programs is used because, typically, these types of programs are reciprocal.  In other words, let’s say an American student wanted to travel to Spain to study and live for a semester.  By applying for a student exchange program, not only can this dream be realized, but in “exchange,” a Spanish student at roughly the same academic level will be granted a similar opportunity to study and live in America for an equal amount of time.

Student exchange programs are a fantastic vehicle for learning how education systems work in other countries, but the learning experience to which you’ll be treated will not be limited to the classroom.  Most student exchange programs offer day trips and cultural excursions, giving you an once-in-a-lifetime chance to visit the country’s significant landmarks, dine on the local cuisine and experience firsthand the language of its people.  New friendships are inevitable when studying abroad, friends you will no doubt keep in touch with and cherish for many years to come.

Student Exchange Programs:  Accommodations

There are a number of residential options for students studying abroad.  For high school students, accommodations are typically provided by a host family—a family that volunteers their home and time to enhance the quality of the study-abroad experience.  Meals are also provided free of charge with this option, but perhaps the best part about staying with a host family is all the great information they provide for students—information regarding the customs, traditions and culture of the host country.

University students can also opt to reside with a host family, but they generally have many other residential options available to them as well.  On-campus housing, in residence halls or dormitories, allows students to enjoy the complete university experience.  The close proximity to classrooms and other university services, as well as the countless number of opportunities to forge new friendships, makes on-campus housing a very attractive option.

The final housing option for individuals in student exchange programs is to rent a flat or an apartment, either alone or with one or more friends.  This can be rather costly, but for motivated students seeking a measure of independence and freedom, the extra cost may be well worth it.

Student Exchange Programs: What to Anticipate as a Student Exchange Participant

Are you a high school student who has recently decided to participate in a student exchange program?  Are you a bit nervous about the upcoming experience, wondering what’s in store for you and what you can expect when studying in another country?  Being a participant in one of the thousands of available student exchange programs can be the opportunity of a lifetime.  However, because the experience is something completely new and different, at least in terms of to what you are accustomed, it only stands to reason that you would have some concerns and maybe even some anxiety about the experience—feelings that are absolutely normal when planning to study and live in a foreign country.  To help quell some of your nervous feelings, in this article we will point out several things you can anticipate as a participant in student exchange programs, with a brief description of each of these characteristics.

What to Anticipate in Student Exchange Programs

There are several reasons why high schools students—students just like you—decide to pursue the opportunity to study abroad as members of student exchange programs.  Some join to see how the education in foreign countries differs from that of their own, while others seek the opportunity to visit and learn about a new country, including its culture, customs, traditions and language.  Some simply want to break up their currently monotonous routine, seeking excitement and adventure through an experience that’s totally new.  Whatever the reason was that prompted you to consider participation in student exchange programs; you can bet the experience will contain some unfamiliar traits and characteristics you may not have previously considered.  Some of these include:

·         A completely different routine.  As you may have already read in the study-abroad pamphlet provided by your school, participants in student exchange programs will generally stay with a host family for the duration of their visit in a new country; and with a new living environment there are bound to be some shake-ups to your normal routine.  This new routine, while certainly foreign to you, is a wonderful opportunity to learn about family life and values in another country.  Keep in mind that the members of these families are generally very knowledgeable about the country in which you are staying, and will be a great source of information and comfort, helping you to gradually become more familiar with the customs and culture of the host country.

·         A new school environment.  As an upperclassman in your current school, you no doubt know the ways of that school like the back of your hand.  You know the teachers, the administrators, the bell schedule and where to find everything you need on a day-to-day basis.  This will not be the case when participating in one of the many student exchange programs in other countries—at least not initially.  As a participant of a study abroad program, you will typically study many of the same subjects you did at home, and the instruction will be in a language familiar to you.  This, however, is where the similarities will end.  Studying abroad in a foreign school is a wonderful opportunity to see how the education process works in another country.  This may feel uncomfortable for a bit, only because it is something completely new, but once you learn how things work you will undoubtedly “get into the groove of things” in no time whatsoever.

·         A tinge of homesickness.  For many students, studying in student exchange programs represents the only time they have been away from home for any substantial length of time, and the truth is even the most adventurous of students may begin to miss various aspects of their life back home—their parents, friends and comfortable environment.  This is only natural, but as time goes on, and as you begin to meet and make new friends, your pangs for life back home are sure to subside somewhat, as you’ll be far too busy with life in a new country.

Studying through student exchange programs is a brand new experience, one filled with excitement, adventure and several traits and characteristics that are completely new and different.  These differences to your normal environment and routine may initially be difficult to manage, but as time goes on, the opportunities to visit a new country, learn its culture and customs and make new friends you will cherish for a lifetime, are sure to trump any discomfort and anxiety associated with the newness of the experience.

Off Campus Student Housing: Some Frequently Asked Questions

Are you a student planning to study internationally in the near future, at a college or university in a foreign country?  Have you made a decision yet about where you will live during the course of your studies?  The opportunity to study abroad can be the experience of a lifetime, but as you are probably well aware, taking advantage of this type of opportunity involves a lot of planning, including making all the necessary arrangements with regard to accommodations.  This can be difficult to do, especially while living outside the country and you probably have plenty of questions you need answered before you make any final decisions.  If this is the case, the following information may prove very useful.  Here we have compiled a list of some of the most frequently asked questions regarding off-campus housing, with a short and (hopefully) helpful answer for each question.

Off Campus Student Housing:  Answers to Some Frequently Asked Questions

As an international student there are essentially two general options in terms of where you can live during the course of your studies.  The first is stay on campus, typically in a residence hall or dormitory, but space for on campus housing is usually very limited, and there may be a waiting list of up to one or two years before on campus housing becomes a realistic option for you.  That leaves off campus housing—the subject we will cover below with some frequently asked questions:

I’m interested in locating off campus student housing. What should I do first?

The first—and best—step to take when trying to arrange off campus housing is to contact the university you plan to attend.  Most universities have a student housing office (some even have an office dedicated to international student housing), with employees who are trained in finding housing solutions for international students studying abroad.  By doing this you’ll be able to get contact numbers for the various housing options near the campus, and most universities now have a student housing database that you can search from your own computer.  They may even be able to supply you with all the forms you need (applications, financial assistance forms, etc.), and a list of tenant’s rights and responsibilities.

What are the various types of off campus student housing available?

Depending on the country in which you plan to study, there are many possible off campus student housing options.  If you would like to live alone, becoming the primary leaser or renter, there are apartments, condominiums, houses, duplexes and townhomes.  If cost is an issue, which it is for many students, you could look for a room in a private home.  You could also check the student housing database for “roommate wanted,” advertisements, thus allowing you to split the various housing costs, including rent, utilities and other services.

What if I need furniture?

Many off campus student housing options come pre-furnished, but if this is not the case with the place you have selected, try checking around at garage sales, discount stores and online wholesalers to find what you need.

How will I get to school?

If the house, apartment or condo you select is not near enough to the university to allow you to walk to your classes, check with the student housing or student services office for information on public transportation within the city.  Most university-towns have buses or even shuttles that drop off at various points along the school grounds.

Off campus student housing, whether you decide to live alone or with others, can greatly enhance the study abroad experience.  This option allows for much more freedom and independence—an opportunity to set your own schedule without being bound by some of the rules you’re likely to encounter with most on-campus student housing situations.

Accommodations for International Students: The Pros and Cons of the Various Options for Student Residence

Are you one of thousands of high school and/or university students planning to study abroad during the upcoming school year?  Have you decided yet where you will stay during the course of your study abroad program?  Studying abroad is a dream shared by a countless number of young adults, and the types of available accommodations for international students will usually depend on a number of factors, including the type of program in which you enroll, the country and/or university at which you plan to study, available transportation and, of course, price.  It can be a difficult decision to make, and in most cases it is a decision that needs to be made quickly, so as to guarantee you reserve a residence that’s right for you. To help you get started, below we have compiled a short list of the potential accommodations for international students, along with some of the advantages and disadvantages of each type of residence.

Accommodations for International Students:  The Pros and Cons of Residence Halls and Student Apartments

Once you have decided on a country you would like to visit and located an appropriate study abroad program, the next thing you will need to decide is where you will stay while participating in the program.  This can be a painstaking process, but once you understand the pros and cons of each of your options, you will invariably find it much easier to make an informed decision that best suits your interests and personality.  Two of the potential accommodations for international students, along with some of the advantages and disadvantages of each, are listed below:

Accommodations for international Students:  Residence Hall 

A residence hall, also called a dormitory or dorm in some countries, is an on-campus student housing option that is very popular among individuals studying abroad.  Typically, a residence hall is located on or close to school grounds and features a few large common rooms and dozens of smaller rooms known as living quarters.  Students will usually share a small room with one or more students—rooms that contain just enough space for beds, a desk and various closets or cabinets where both you and your roommate can store your clothes and a few belongings.  The larger common rooms in a residence hall can include a large gathering room with sofas, chairs and games, a place where you and other students can socialize, recreate or simply watch television together; a kitchen area, a laundry room; and a quiet area, where you can study, either alone or with others.

The advantages of living in a residence hall are many, beginning with the proximity to classrooms and other school amenities.  You will be able to walk to your classes, participate in college functions, watch games, and eat meals in the school cafeteria.  Living in a residence hall will allow you to take in the whole college experience and make lasting friendships you will never forget.  However, there are a couple of disadvantages you may not have considered.  Your privacy may be limited in this type of living arrangement, and because there are several rules you must follow, a residence hall may not provide the freedom and independence you seek.  Additionally, because this type of arrangement is so very popular, spots may be limited, so you will need to act quickly to ensure the university has room to accommodate you.

Accommodations for International Students:  Renting an Apartment or Flat

Living in an off-campus apartment or flat, either alone or with one or more roommates, is also one of the more popular accommodations for international students—one with several advantages.  First of all, there are no rules to follow when living in an apartment, so if the feeling of independence and the freedom to create your own schedule (outside of your studies) appeals to you, this may be the perfect residential option.  However, before you sign on the dotted line, consider some of the potential drawbacks to this type of arrangement:

·         Price.  Residing in an apartment or flat can quickly get expensive, especially when you consider meals and other expenses.

·         Transportation.  How will you get to your classes?  Is there reliable public transportation?  These questions must be considered before deciding to rent a flat or apartment.

·         Friends.  Unlike living in a residence hall, where you will be surrounded by like-minded students, living alone in a flat—in a country in which you are not familiar or totally comfortable—may get lonely.

While there are other possible accommodations for international students, including staying with a host family, the advantages and drawbacks of the options listed above should give you a fairly clear picture of what you can expect. 

Accommodations for International Students: On Campus vs. Off Campus Student Housing

Are you a university student who is considering an opportunity to study abroad for a semester or full academic year?  Do you still have questions regarding the study abroad process, including questions about where you’ll stay when living and studying in a foreign country?  The decision to study abroad is an exciting one, but it also involves a lot of preparation.  First you need to decide on a university or exchange program in a country you’d like to visit, and you will also need to acquire all of the necessary travel documents required by the host country.  During this process you will need to ask a great deal of questions, but perhaps the most important of these is “what types of accommodations are available for international students?”  This is a question that is asked by thousands of international students each year—a question that needs to be considered carefully before making any final arrangements.  To help you get a clearer understanding of the residence situation in most study abroad programs, below we will provide the two general types of accommodations for international students, with a brief description of each type of housing arrangement.

Accommodations for International Students

The opportunity to study abroad can be an once-in-a-lifetime adventure.  Not only will you gain a fresh new educational perspective through your studies at a foreign high school or university, but you’ll also have the unique chance to learn a new culture, and all the customs, traditions and cuisine that make that culture so special.  You may even learn a new language in the process, but perhaps the best part of the excursion are the friends you will make along the way—friends that you may have never met if it weren’t for the study abroad program.  This includes friends you will meet in the course of your studies—peers and professors—and those you will meet as the result of the type of living arrangement you choose while staying in the country.

Depending on the type of study abroad program you choose, there are numerous potential accommodations for international students.  These can be broken down into two general categories:  on-campus accommodations for international students and off-campus accommodations for international students.

On-Campus Accommodations for International Students

Staying on campus during the course of your international study abroad experience has many advantages.  First of all, staying on campus will all but eliminate the need for regular transportation.  Everything you could possibly need will be within walking distance, saving you from the hassle of trying to get around in your new and unfamiliar surroundings.  You will also be very close to your classrooms (a bonus if you plan to take early morning or late night classes), as well as all the school amenities, including food services, libraries, the college book store and recreational and entertainment facilities.  Staying on-campus will allow you to enjoy the whole college experience—the pep rallies, sports competitions, etc.—and you will have an opportunity to live and make friends with local and other international students alike, forging friendships you’ll remember and cherish for a lifetime.

Off-Campus Accommodations for International Students

Staying off-campus also has plenty of advantages, especially if you are the type that enjoys his or her freedom, and you’d rather not be saddled with the rules and regulations that may often accompany an on-campus housing arrangement.  Although renting an apartment or townhouse may be more expensive than staying on-campus, it can be a great way to learn independent living skills, and will allow you to come and go as you please.  When not in classroom, you’ll be able to explore the city on your own terms and see the sights and attractions that are most important to you.  You may even be able to find a roommate with whom to share a flat, saving you both a lot of money in the long run.

As you can see, the decision between on-campus and off-campus accommodations for international students is a personal one, a decision that will ultimately depend on the facets of the study abroad experience that are most important to you.  Keep in mind though, if you are planning to study abroad in the next 12 months it would be wise to decide on your accommodations for international students soon, especially if you are considering an on-campus housing arrangement, as these spots tend to fill up very quickly. 

Learn a New Language through a Summer Student Exchange Program

Are you a high school student, at least 16 years old and looking for a great way to spend your summer vacation this year?  Are you the type of person who enjoys a challenge, relishes the idea of experiencing new things and are frankly quite tired of doing the same types of things every summer—experiences that leave you bored, unchallenged and no better off for the experience?  If so, a summer student exchange program may be right up your alley.  To help you get started, below we will provide a brief definition of a summer student exchange—what it entails and what you can expect—and give you some basic information on things like housing and how to apply.

What Is a Summer Student Exchange?

Does the notion of spending a summer in a foreign country appeal to you?  Would you be willing to spend some of your time studying in exchange for the opportunity to explore the sights, sounds and tastes of your host country?  If so, you could be one of the thousands of students this year to take advantage of a summer student exchange program.

From a learning standpoint, a summer student exchange program can take on many forms.  Some programs focus on new language acquisition—a full-immersion language learning technique that helps students master a second language exponentially more rapid than they would through traditional language courses—and others programs focus on one or two subject areas, such as studying Art in France or Physics in Germany.  If you successfully complete one of these accelerated programs, the best part is you can usually get full high school or even college credit for the course, which means a course that would have spanned a full semester at your home school can be completed and out of the way in just a few short weeks.

I know what you may be thinking:  “This sounds like an awful lot of work, especially for the summertime, which is supposed to offer me a break from my studies.” Actually, you may be surprised to learn that the traditional classroom instruction portion of your summer student exchange program will represent only a small fraction of what this wonderful experience fully entails.  Most summer student exchange programs, whether they are language-based or teaching particular subjects, conduct classes only in the morning, typically divided by two 2-hour sessions.  This means that the rest of the day and evening can be spent visiting the various sites and attractions the country has to offer, either with an organized group or independently.

Summer student exchange programs are the perfect way to learn all about a new and completely foreign country; its customs, traditions, language and people.  As a participant you’ll see things you’ve never seen before, taste the local cuisine and meet and make friends with numerous people from around the world, including local students and fellow study-abroad participants. 

Summer Student Exchange:  Accommodations and How to Apply

Students will generally stay either in a supervised residence hall or with a host family—a family that will be able to show you around the country, take you to some of the most appealing places, and provide you with a close link to all the physical and cultural aspects of the country.  You’ll also be able to share information about your own country, simultaneously becoming the teacher and the learner.

If this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity sounds interesting, the first step is to check with your school’s guidance counselors, administrators and/or teachers.  Typically, they will have informational literature on how to apply (pamphlets, brochures, etc.), and will detail the various steps you will need to prepare for your trip.  Keep in mind these programs are very popular among students and they tend to fill up rather quickly, so don’t wait!  Check with your school early, at least several months before you intend to go, leaving plenty of time to complete the application process, gather your travel documents and other necessary items and reserve your accommodations.