Student exchange program

[Dunaruna]

Has anybody had any experience/dealings with international student exchange programs?<br /><br />My daughter has shortlisted U.S.A, Canada & England. In that order.<br /><br />Any information would be greatly appreciated.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Student exchange program

yep<br /> we have many each summer. so far I have had students from poland, russia and lituainia stay and assisted with some from brazil and columbia. its very interesting as well as culturally informative. it suprised me the difference of historical perspective between the east and the west. one of the girls from lituainia, her father was in the russain navy sub service about the time I was on a destrory in the US navy. he and I trained to kill each other on a moments notice, was rather incongrous that I was taking his daughter and showing her our country. I took both to DC and showed them the white house and the smitsonian. had a good time. a lot of people complain here cause sometimes the students are slow and hard to understand. irritates me sometimes at how rude my fellow countrymen can be when the poor student gets confused and has trouble communicating. I think most of the students are incredibly brave to leave a place called home to come here and experience our way of life while working for minimum wage. I try to assist all I can. I offer to let them use my other computer to email friends and family back home. I also try to take them or show them places of intrest in this area. I have repaired bikes and cars and scooters at no charge for many of them. most work 2 jobs and do it 7 days a week while studying ouy country. so I dont have any experince with the organizations I can tell you my area welcomes and assits them as best we can. rude tourists not to be included. I wish I was 20 years younger so I could participate. those programs were not avalible in rural Alabama when I was young. if she makes it to the states and is in my area let me know.

 

[Tinkr]

Re: Student exchange program

Originally posted by Dunaruna:<br /> Has anybody had any experience/dealings with international student exchange programs?<br /><br />My daughter has shortlisted U.S.A, Canada & England. In that order.<br /><br />Any information would be greatly appreciated.<br /><br />Aldo

Hopefully this won't affect your daughter, as it probably isn't an issue in most exchange student's cases, but it might be worth bearing in mind.<br /><br />There was a newspaper story here some years back about an Aussie girl who had a bad time with a German? family. I'm rusty on it. <br /><br />Things went wrong (I can't recall what) and she couldn't contact her family, or maybe couldn'tcontact them when she could speak freely, for a while. <br /><br />My vague recollection is that the kid was isolated and that I thought if ever one of my kids was an exchange student I'd want to make sure that they had a line of communication with me that was always accessible. How you do that is a different issue.

 

[DJ]

Re: Student exchange program

Two of my freinds son's have been exchanges in Europe. One in France and Italy, the other Germany.<br /><br />Their experiences were not good. Their hatred for Americans (except the Italians) was not lost on sixteen year old students. They came home early from all except the Italian exchange.<br /><br />I would expect to see less of a problem in England. Canada-???. I think it would depend on where.

 

[Triton II]

Re: Student exchange program

Hi Aldo,<br /><br />My eldest son Alex went on student exchange to Japan last Christmas for 10 weeks. The school organised for him to stay with a family that was known to the school due to the family's daughter having come here on exchange two years ago when she stayed with a local family. We communicated with the exchange family in advance and set up a kind of "across the world" alliance, getting to know the family and them us as best we could. Alex had the most wonderful time - but we did take some precautions - a three band mobile, an exchange bank account (pre-deposited money with access only with parental consent - we used fax but they may be available with an email consent system - although this would be harder with a major time difference such as USA or Europe whereas it wasn't a problem with Japan) and regular phoning to the family's land line to talk to Alex. <br />Call me paranoid, but I still worried I hadn't done enough to ensure his protection - that's fathers for you!<br />We have also had a few Japanese exchange kids staying with us plus a young exchange teacher who stayed for four months. <br />All of the exchanges went well - especially Alex's: he still gets emails and has MSN conversations with the myriad young and extremely cute Japanese girls in very short school skirts who feature so much in the photos he brought back! <br /><br />Best of luck with it,<br /><br />Mark.<br />PS: it's teeming with rain - Yeh! No boating today but hopefully we'll get a top up in our water supply?!

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Student exchange program

Thanks for the replys.<br /><br />Mark, we also have hosted many students from Japan and my daughter has exchanged to Japan. Same arrangements are your son, through the school. She absolutely loved it and now has the travel bug. She especially enjoyed participating and learning about the cultural differences. Which brings me to my next point - <br /><br />She wants to travel to the southern states of the U.S and REALLY experience the culture, not just a holiday, but integrate and 'experience'. Go to school, play sport and get involved in the community. <br /><br />There are many non profit organisations that co-ordinate these types of exchangers, some of them are truley international with extremely good support services, others are locally based and don't offer much support. I would never allow my daughter to be stranded, that's a given. But the bottom line is, it's an experience that she want to do, being out of her 'comfort zone' is part of that experience.<br /><br />Anymore comments/suggestions?<br /><br />Aldo

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Student exchange program

BUMP^<br /><br />I would be interested in any comments from RyanT.<br /><br />How about it Ryan? Any experience with exchange students.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Student exchange program

what part of the south ya lookin at? my mom has hosted before and is now living living in the Mobile Al area and may know some spots. if she makes the outer banks near kitty hawk north carolina I know some folks here. depends on what she is looking for. I dont think the coastal south will be very good for a year or 3.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Student exchange program

All of the organisations that we have inquired with don't allow us to specify a location, all they allow is either 'Northern U.S' or 'Southern U.S.'. The actual host family location would depend on availability a few months before departure.<br /><br />Did your mom use a student exchange agency? If so, which one? This is the type of information that I am trying to gather. What agencies are good, what ones are not so good. I was hoping to hear from people that had 1st hand experience (like you & your mom). I would also assume that RyanT has some experience with exchange students seeing that he is of school age and has likely met a few. <br /><br />Also, Canada is now not an option - logistically it is way too expensive. So our focus is now 100% U.S.A.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[11 footer]

Re: Student exchange program

Wish I could be of more help, but sorry, Dunaruna I have no experence with any exchange students<br /><br />Good luck

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Student exchange program

Just my bias, but the northern USA is limited by weather during the winter.<br /><br /><br />Ken

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Student exchange program

That is something she has thought about.<br /><br />The upside is, she will experience a white christmas. Down side - cold!!

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Student exchange program

If she is interested in the USA South, I strongly recommend that she find arraingments on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. It is absolutely gorgeous. Southern charm at it's best.<br /><br /> http://www.hiltonheadisland.org/index.html <br /><br />If she found a young man there, (it would not be proper to call him a Yank) she would probably not want to come home.<br /><br />I know you can't specify Aldo, but there is probably more money per square inch here than anywhere this side of Tokyo or Hong Kong. The good part is that they all speak English there. (well at least after a fashion )

 

[ehenry]

Re: Student exchange program

Dunaruna, my son had a classmate that was an exchange student from Germany. He fit in quite well with the kids here. He played baseball and our brand of football. He even earned a starting spot on the football team as a kicker. <br /><br />Our school is a small one in a small town so I'm not sure how that would fit in to your daughters plans. There are a number of sports that she can participate in. <br /><br />Check the schools webs site if you'd like. THe web site allows for parent to log in and check their childs progress in each class which is handy, you can head off things like not doing their home work and such as that.<br /><br /> http://www.cantonacademy.org/ <br /><br />I'll see if I can get information from the family he stayed with.

 

[txswinner]

Re: Student exchange program

Dunaruna, My oldest daughter was an exchange student in Italy for 8 months and then in Mazatlan, Mexico for 6 months. She lived with a local family in both cases and would not change it a bit. We are big believers in Exchange programs, they give young folks a chance to learn outside our prejudices.<br /><br />She had returned to both countries and corresponds with friend who have come to the US to see her.<br /><br />If she goes South route she can always go up a bit north to experience snow and skiing etc. I think the big thing is finding a host family that she matches up well with. If you can get that info you would have a good bases for your choice.<br /><br />Oh yeah and Keep her away from all the Republican, JUST KIDDING GANG.

 

[txswinner]

Re: Student exchange program

Dunaruna, If cost is in the picture and most times it is stay away from the northeast, California, most of the big cities. Midwest and south probably have the best cost for standard of living.<br /><br />Good luck to you and her.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Student exchange program

I have been researching this for about a month now, I have confirmed at lot more detailed information.<br /><br />There are many different companies offerring official (read - government sanctioned) exchange programs. Most democratic countries are included apart from countries that are dirt poor.<br /><br />All of the companies are non-profit.<br /><br />Most of the countries involved have agreements that host families do not get paid, purely voluntary. This is epecially true between Aust & the U.S. The only 'extra' cost to the visiting student is inccidental spending money.<br /><br />Unfortunetly, Canadian host families do get paid, this adds about $3000.00 to the cost of the program.<br /><br />The U.S programs do not allow for the student to pick a location, the only options are 'North or South". That's it.<br /><br />The only way to choose a specific location is to use an organisation that IS NOT government sanctioned. This presents many problems, not the least of which is securing a placement in a school, insurance problems, visa problems(especially after 9/11) etc etc..... These programs don't come under the heading of 'holiday', they require different visas.<br /><br />The government sanctioned programs also offer garanteed 24hr assistance by a real person (not answering machine) who lives within 1 hr of the host family. This is a big plus for me as it helps to give me peace of mind.<br /><br />I have relatives in Canada, Scotland, England, Germany and Italy (hundreds in Italy!). She could easily pick one of those and stay with family and save me thousands of dollars but she wants the U.S. Anywhere in the U.S.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[ndemge]

Re: Student exchange program

Growing up, My parents hosted MANY foster kids and exchange studants.<br /><br />When I was only a year or so old, they had a girl, Clari, From South America. She is still great friends with the whole family. She now lives in England, and my parents went over to visit a few years ago, every holiday the phone rings from her.<br /><br />When I was about 10, we had a guy, Bruno, from France, My older brother was in his 2nd year in french and they both learned a lot from each other.<br /><br />And when I was a freshman in HS, we hosted a guy from Russia, Mike Klevstov, He spoke amazing English and played the piano even better. He stayed for the ENTIRE school year. It was a great experience. <br /><br />While in school, every year there were a couple exchange students, and they always fit in just great.<br /><br />As much fun as they have here, I think it would be a great opportunity to be a student in another country, but as a father,... man, it would be hard to let them go.... and i'm still at least 10 years from highschool age kids.

 

[wajajaja]

Re: Student exchange program

My daughter applied and was accepted to the Rotary Program, we were impressed, They put a lot into taking care of the kids they send and get. The program is cost reasonable. and was acceptable for school credit. depending on the country assigned. She was awarded Thailand, which in 91 of course was Identified as a terrorist area, and with 9/11 we back off from the program. but the program definitely has merit.

 

[avenger79]

Re: Student exchange program

I have two friends who have hosted exchange students.

#1: had prev been to Germany themselves so they new of the customs, some language, some "habits" of German teens etc.
they brought over a different student each year. exposed them to sports, local spots, took at least one short vacation with them and generally showed them as much of our region as possible. regular communications with the students families all went fabulous. in fact now years later he still has their pictures in his office and they still communicate and have taken family vacations here to visit them. my friends have gone to Germany and visited their family as well.

#2: had no clue what to expect, wanted the exch to be just like thier sons. no language, no plans, no vacations no FUN. student left and went home early and all were happy about it.


BTW to the above poster saying it's limited in the north, that is a very uninformed statement. we have a ton of things to do in the winter. you can't go boating or swimming but there is still much to see and learn here.
she could very well love northern America. ice skating, skiing, sledding, and even just taking a walk on a cold night can be very interesting things for someone who has never had the experience.
ask almost anyone who hikes in the north and they will tell you there is absolutely nothing so peaceful as walking through the woods with a light fresh fall of snow and seeing wildlife.
I love the south and hope to get back there but would never say there's nothing to do up here, you just have to dress warmer. LOL