What are your views on being or taking an exchange student in?

Published by: mike 2009-01-07

I met an exchange student Saturday when I went to visit a college. It was an awesome experience!! But I would like to know more:)

It must be awsoem to have an exchange student, you can learn about their country, language, culture, and you can learn all the stuff they have in their country and you show them stuff in this country...so its awsome!

Taking in an exchange student (or being one yourself) is an awesome experience. Not only do you get to learn about their culture, but you show them yours, first-hand. All the things about your life and home that you don't even think about become a really big deal -- sharing a holiday with a student who has never celebrated it (such as Thanksgiving!), taking them to a high school football game, going to the mall. You'll come to appreciate your own culture a bit more, while giving the student an awesome experience. You'll become a truly global citizen from learning all about the differences and similarities between your culture and theirs.

I hosted an exchange student in high school, and now I work with exchange students. I would really recommend getting in touch with an organization, such as the one I'm with (EF Foundation for Foreign Study, www.effoundation.org). You can talk to a local representative, who can tell you and your family all about what it's like hosting a student, and talk about what kind of student you want to host. With my organization, you get to pick what country they're from, what they're interested in, etc. So you can pick a student who has a lot in common with you, and learn all about a specific culture that you're curious about!

exchange students are the COOLEST people ever. i'm friend's with almost all of them b/c their that easy to talk to. living in the U.S. for 6 years, it makes me forget how much cooler foreigners are, (no offense, lol).
taking one in would be no problem. he or she would most likely be very nice, curious, & easy going. it will be like having a brother or sister. but the worst part is when they have to return to their native country. sometimes you'd wish they could stay forever.
as far as being a foreign exchange student...no comment. unfortunately i can't explain b/c i've never lived with strangers for a semester or a year. i guess you should ask someone who has that experience.
but by enrolling in the program, i guarantee you'll have a different & better view of the world. you'll become more of a cosmopolitan & not like the average ignorant americans (once again, no offense).
best of luck!