Student exchange program
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A student exchange program is a program in which a student, typically in secondary or tertiary education, chooses to live in a foreign country to learn, among other things, language and culture. These programs are sometimes called 'exchanges' because different countries participating in the program will trade off students in this fashion. The students live with a host family, who are usually unpaid volunteers and often have a child the same age who has also participated (or is going to participate) in a similar exchange program. Host families are usually vetted by the organization co-ordinating the program.
Student exchanges became popular after World War II, and have the aim of helping to increase the participants' understanding and tolerance of the other cultures, as well as improving their language skills and broadening their social horizons.
An exchange student typically stays in the host country for a relatively short period of time, often 6 to 10 months, in contrast to international students or those on study abroad programs which often last for several years.
These programs are available from a number of service-oriented organizations, such as World Education Program (WEP) Australia, Rotary International's Rotary Youth Exchange, American Field Service, AIFS's Academic Year In America and Youth For Understanding, which offer some of the more popular programs. Other organizations such as the Kiwanis or Lions Clubs offer similar programs.
Some exchange programs are considered study abroad programs if academic credit is available.
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[edit] Long-term exchange
A long term exchange is considered an exchange which is designed to last for longer than six to ten months or an entire academic year. Participants are to attend schools in their host countries, with student visas. Typically, non-USA students coming to the USA are issued J-1 Cultural Exchange Visas though some programs may use the F-1 Foreign Student Visa. Students are expected to integrate themselves into the local community and surroundings, and upon their return to their home country are expected to incorporate this knowledge into their daily lives, as well as give a presentation on their experience to their sponsors. This is a hallmark of the Rotary, AFS, and YFU programs. Additionally, many exchange programs expect students to become fluent in the language of the host country, however, with some exchange programs, such as the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange program, the main focus is on improving international relations and cultural understanding.
[edit] Costs
Programs vary depending upon program length, country, content and other factors. Most program costs include insurance and other risk management components. Some exchange organizations offer scholarships which cover all the program expenses and the international flight, as is the case with the Congress-Bundestag scholarship.
[edit] Application process
For long term exchange applications and interviews generally take place almost a year in advance of departure. The age usually varies for countries. Preferable ages are between 15 and 18.5, any older or younger usually aren't accepted. Most programs allow students older than 18 years of age. Youth For Understanding in particular has a 13th year abroad program for students older than 18 years of age out of high school. Most programs require first a preliminary application with fees, then schedule interviews and take the longer style application. High school scholarship programs often require a set GPA of around 3.0 or higher. These programs choose their students by getting to know them in a personal interview and deciding which students would be the best ambassadors. Students in some programs are expected to go anywhere they are assigned, such as Rotary, and are not encouraged to have strict expectations for their host country. Such open attitudes often make for a more enjoyable exchange. At some point students make country choices, anywhere from a top three list to thirty or more. More information is then given to the hosting country which accepts the student and places them in a school and one or more homes.
[edit] Year abroad
During their year abroad students are expected to study in school and participate fully in the foreign culture. This includes taking up hobbies and after school activities in their host country. They are often encouraged to make non-exchange student friends in their host country. Exchange students may have rules that encourage abstinence from substances including drugs and alcohol, dating and driving for insurance reasons. Also travel can be restricted for student's safety, although some programs offer tours throughout and at the end of the exchange. However, this is not always the case. With CBYX, students are encouraged to travel with their host families, even to other continents. Depending on the circumstances, when students violate a rule they may be sent home.
[edit] Short-term exchange
A short term exchange usually takes place during the summer months of July-August. Students do not attend school and are instead given a brief introduction to the language of their host country with heavy emphasis on sightseeing and cultural learning. Upon their return they are expected to give a short presentation on their experience to their sponsors. This program is quite popular with North American students, as school lets out at this time. Kiwanis and Lions Clubs usually offer this type of exchange. Rotary International also offers a program called R.O.S.E.(rotary overseas short-term exchange) where a student exchanges homes directly with another student of a foreign country at the same time.
[edit] University exchange
A University Exchange occurs when sister universities trade off students, or through special programs such as Rotary International's Ambassadorial Scholarship or through the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS). Students attend university classes and often live in on-site dormitories. These can last anywhere from a single semester to an entire education.
[edit] Benefits of exchange
The benefits of doing a student exchange may include, but are not limited to the following: Gaining independence, gaining a sense of responsibility and purpose, first hand knowledge of another culture, exploring differences between countries, understanding traditions and taboos, learning more about one's self, friends and family, a better understanding of homeland, building connections between countries, learning a foreign language, discovering abilities and limitations.
[edit] Exchange students in popular culture
In popular USA culture, exchange students from other countries have often been stereotyped as exaggerated caricatures of their home countries.
- Long Duc Dong in the movie Sixteen Candles was a Vietnamese exchange student who adapted a fork and spoon to function as a pair of chopsticks.
- Nadia, the Czech exchange student in American Pie, Kristina - the Swedish exchange student in James at 15, and French belle "Monique" - played by Diane Franklin in Better Off Dead were portrayed as exotic sex-objects. This trend was skewered in the 2001 film Not Another Teen Movie, in which "Areola", an exchange student of unspecified origin (played by model Cerina Vincent) is nude throughout the entire film.
- The popular French film L'Auberge Espagnole tells the story of European college students from various countries studying in Barcelona for a year.
- Fez (his name merely being the phonetic version of the acronym FES: Foreign Exchange Student) is a foreign exchange student of unknown origin in the television series That '70s Show that adds to comic relief to the show.
[edit] See also
- International student (for university and college student exchange)
- Intercultural relations (much broader than educational or youth exchanges)
- AFS Intercultural Programs (formerly American Field Service)
- Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program - Full Scholarship to Study Abroad in Germany
- Rotary International's Rotary Youth Exchange Program
- Youth For Understanding
- American Institute for Foreign Study - Academic Year In America (AIFS)
