Advice from Exchange Students

Here you can find general advice other exchange students have given to me. I hope this helps!

In Preparation For Exchange

1. Study the language of your host country as much as possible!!!
2. Write down your goals for exchange. Then write a letter to yourself outlining those goals and what you hope to achieve on exchange. Have a family member send the letter to you halfway through your exchange.
3. Study the culture of your host country – read books about the history, politics, society, and even geography. I used Taiwan as the topic of my CPT (a project worth 15% of my final mark) for a class during the school year before my exchange. That project encouraged me to dive deeper into the world of Taiwan and really helped me to strive to learn everything I can about Taiwan before I go.
4. Learn how to cook 2 or 3 dishes that are a part of your home country’s culture. You can make them for your host family for dinner when you are abroad.
5. Don’t forget about your life at home!! Prepare for your exchange, but remember to spend time with your family and your friends. During those times try not to think about exchange – just be in the moment with the people you love.
6. Make LOTS of thank you cards!! That way you don’t have to spend time making them while you are on exchange and you can show appreciation without having to find time to make something – the power of planning!
7. Make unique pins to give to other exchange students! I made little clay maple leafs with my mom. It was a good way to spend time with my mom and have fun.

While You’re On Exchange

1. Take pictures of your bedroom in your host family’s house, as well as your school and other places you go often. When you miss these places, you can look at the pictures.
2. Take lots of pictures of your everyday life before you go on exchange! They will be useful for presentations and to show others how you live.
3. If you have to do homework or studying, do not stay in your bedroom. Do your work in the living room or a common area.
4. If you’re feeling homesick, write a letter to your parents or your friends. Do not call them.
5. Write down the recipes for every dish you learn how to make in your host country. My host family gave me a book full of French recipes (some of which were homemade ones and could not be found in a cookbook) when I left France. I was able to make some of the dishes for my family when I got home (which is a great souvenir, and it doesn’t take up any room in your suitcase!). And whenever I miss France, I can make something from the book.
6. Find something you can do by yourself. For me, it’s piano – I can play the piano on my own for half an hour, occasionally, when I’m feeling overwhelmed. It’s a good way to relax, and it’s a reason to be by myself for a bit. Usually, when I play, there are still other people nearby, so I can be with them and take some time for myself all at once.
7. Say YES to everything!!! (within reason). I’ve heard many stories from exchange students that got to do really cool things because they said ‘Yes!’ without hesitation.
8. Your host country is not better or worse than your home country. They are different -definitely- but learn the differences without a negative or positive connotation. This is a hard one – you must recognize ingrained cultural differences and understand that as a visitor, you do not fully understand the ‘whys’ of the culture. Try to think of things that you do in your home country that would be inexplicable to visitors.