About Foreign Exchange Students

Foreign exchange students enrich their academic study by taking classes in a foreign country. Students study all over the world, selecting the program and area that best fits their academic needs. Besides improving their skills in foreign language, arts or architectural design, students explore and enhance their own personal knowledge of a new culture and country.

Benefits

Many students choose to participate in foreign exchange programs to learn a new language or study the art and architecture of an area. Studying in another country provides students with firsthand experience in all of these areas. Some foreign exchange students seek to gain international work experience. Labor laws vary from country to country, but many students are able to complete an internship, gaining international work experience and possibly school credit for their work. This experience proves valuable on a resume. Finally, foreign exchange students benefit from exploring and experiencing a new country and culture. This broadens their perspective of the country and the world.

Considerations

High school foreign exchange students stay with host families. Host families are local families within the country selected to accommodate foreign exchange students. These families provide a place for the student to stay, food and other basic necessities. Host families show the student around their country or area, pointing out sites of interest. Some host families give foreign exchange students keepsakes and souvenirs, but foreign exchange students carry money for their own extra expenses.

Foreign exchange students participating in college programs have a few more housing options. They can stay with host families, in campus housing or rent an apartment with other students. Remember when selecting a foreign exchange program, choose a location where you feel safe. Traveling and exploring are major aspects of an exchange program. Understand the exchange rate as soon as possible. This helps students determine the cost of items. It's also a good idea to locate a money exchange.

Potential

Traveling as a foreign exchange student allows youth to become involved in their community. They participate in school, family and community activities just as other students do. They experience a new culture including customs, holidays, food, dress, religion and clothing. This opportunity presents foreign exchange students with the chance to grow and mature, becoming more independent.

Foreign exchange students can study during a summer program or for an entire academic year. Before selecting a program, students should research and learn the facts about each program, determining which is best for them. Most summer programs are shorter and focus on language acquisition, while an academic-year program allows students to enroll at an area school, taking classes with local students.

Warning

Foreign exchange students must ensure personal items are covered while they are outside the country. Designate a location to have your mail sent. Consider having it shipped to your parent's house or a sibling's residence. If something important arrives, have them open it and inform you about it. Select someone to act as power of attorney in your absence. This plays a primary role if a student receives financial aid and a check needs to be endorsed. If elections occur while you are out of the country, you may cast an absentee vote. Register to vote before leaving the country. If you will be out of the country during the spring, ask for an extension for filing federal, state and local tax returns. Contact the local embassy or consulate to file tax returns abroad. Register expensive items such as cameras and computers with U.S. Customs before leaving. This prevents those items being subject to duty upon return to the United States.

Expert Insight

Before heading off to a foreign exchange program, students should have regular physical and dental checkups. Consult your physician regarding recommended immunizations for your destination. Pack a supply of regular prescription medicines. In case of an emergency, ask the physician for a letter describing the medical condition and a description of the medicine. Carry over-the-counter medicines for basic ailments students encounter such as diarrhea.

Before selecting a program to study, determine whether you'll receive credit for your study abroad. Whether in high school or college, foreign exchange students want to receive credit for classes taken abroad. Check if the program offers scholarships to help defer the cost of the program. Students may receive scholarships based on their academic standing, financial need or course of study.