Exchange Students
As a student, you may get this urge to not just restrict your learning to a formal education. You may have a wish to expand the perimeters of your learning to beyond your countrys geographical borders, to visit another country and soak in the culture and ambience there.
Who is an Exchange Student?
An exchange student is a student who wishes to take up a long-term educational course in a foreign country. In the U.S.A., there are also students who wish to take up such a course in a State other than their place of residence. Note that these students do not do long term courses in the sense of many years; it is generally about 6 months and not usually beyond a year. As an exchange student, you will be residing in the home of a family in that country this family will be your hosts. You will learn how to blend into their lifestyle, eat their cuisine, and enjoy their culture. You can also opt for an exchange program where you will spend only the summer months in the host country.
What are the Eligibility Requirements to be an Exchange Student?
Well, that depends on the policies of the Student Exchange Program. A particular university student exchange program, for example, may require that you have a GPA of 2.75 for the semester, while another may insist on a minimum 3.00 GPA. In addition, you will have to acquire a certain number of hours of credit at that university. Many programs may require you to appear for a language fluency test. Also, dont forget that you should be eligible age-wise! You cannot generally enroll for an international exchange student program if you are below the age of 15 years and have crossed your 18th Birthday. However, there are some exceptions, where students above the maximum age are eligible for certain exchange programs.
Which organizations offer Student Exchange Programs?
• The first avenue is your own University where you are presently studying.
• Rotary International You need to contact the Rotary Club nearest to your location. As a general rule, most of their student exchange programs commence in January (for countries in the southern hemisphere) and in August (for countries in the northern hemisphere). So you need to apply at least 9 -10 months in advance. There are programs for various age groups: 15 19 yrs / 18 25 yrs. On completing the application form, you will need to appear for an interview and maybe a couple of tests. You probably wont need to pay any placement fee and can make a request for financial assistance.
• Lions Club You need to contact the local Lions Club or district youth camp and exchange chairperson in your country. You will appear for an interview, fill in the application, and wait for it to be approved by the Program Chairman. Programs: 4-6 week programs for 15-21 yrs / 1-4 week camps for 16-22 yrs. You can apply for a scholarship.
• AFS Intercultural Program (earlier known as the American Field Service) They offer: (i) A school program for a year or semester; you attend a local secondary school in the host country; months: July, August, September & January, February, March.; and (ii) Summer program for 3 months in the host country.
Note: The above are only a couple of programs that are offered to exchange students. This article is not endorsing any of the programs or their policies. Look around the World Wide Web for more options.
What are the Costs involved for a Student Exchange Program?
Obviously, the costs of one program will differ from another, depending on a number of factors, such as location and duration of the program. Some programs may cost up to $1000, while others may be well over $2500. Heres a general idea of what to expect:
• The host family will be providing you with a place to stay and meals, so room and board expenses are covered.
• School tuitions will be met by your host program organizers (the university, rotary club, etc). You can apply for financial aid or a scholarship.
• You could possibly get a small monthly stipend from your host program organizer (could range from $50 up to $100).
What YOU need to pay:
• Application Fee
• Maybe a Deposit Fee (non-refundable)
• Airfare to and from the host country this may not be included in the program costs
• Fees towards passport, visa, and any other travel documents
• Insurance both for health and accidents; note that some programs do include this in the cost; however, you will need to pay for any routine checkups that you have in the host country.
• General expenses clothes, traveling in the host city, necessary provisions, shopping, entry fees to museums and other tourist spots, phone calls, etc
Some Advice
• Exchange students are generally aware that they should undergo medical checkups (including dental checkups) a couple of months before departure to the host country. However, some tend to forget to find out if particular inoculations need to be taken.
• Find out climatic conditions in your host country and take appropriate clothing. Do not take along clothes that may be considered offensive. For example, backless tops may not be considered appropriate.
• Make sure that you have enough personal spending money! Before setting out, find out generally what it would cost, for example, to travel by public transport and eating out costs. In some countries, you may need less than $100 a week, while in others the expenses could amount to more than $300 per week. Accordingly, take that much (keep travelers checks) and dont splurge! If you are sensible and stick to a budget, you will never find yourself short!
• Dont just store important numbers and addresses only in a PDA or your mobile. Note them down in a small diary and carry this diary with you at all times. It should contain your home address and contact numbers, as well as those of your host family and host program organizer. Add local emergency numbers of the place where you are staying, as well as of your countrys embassy.
• Keep loose change handy whenever you step out of your hosts home you will need it to make phone calls if you are out alone and are stranded.
• If you are suffering from an allergy or asthma or require special medicines, make sure your host family members are aware of this. It is advisable to carry with you at all times some kind of medical card which mentions your blood group and names of any medications that you need for a particular problem.
• Keep a small folder with photocopies of your passport, visa, any travel document, and any credit cards or debit cards that you will be taking with you.
Above all dont be a fussy person! Learn to adjust to the timings of your host family breakfast, lunch, dinner and enjoy the meals that you get. Of course, you need to inform them in advance of any special dietary requirements (such as that you need to avoid excessively salty food). As mentioned earlier, you must blend into their lifestyle. Keep in mind that people tend to generalize very quickly. For example, if you are habitually late for breakfast, the host will likely think Oh! That is typical of XYZ people! You behavior thus reflects badly on your country.
So be well-mannered (remember to say please and thank you!), respect the laws of your host country and be a good ambassador of your country!
Other Articles
