Exchange Student Experience

[willemvanoranje]

First, this thread is not about your adventures with the Swedish exchange student or anything. My question is this: Have you ever been on an exchange program, especially long-term. See, I may have the oppurtunity to go to Brazil next year, after garduation, for 12 months. Please tell me how it was for you, what were the great things, what were the bad things, how was life when you came back home, especially social life? Tell me everything.

 

[floppa21]

I never personally have, but my girlfriend of the time had a foreign exchange student who was living at her house with her parents. He was German. I asked him what he thought and he said he loved it. Food, beer, geography, he liked the change.

I'd suggest you do it. What an opportunity! I haven't been out of the states and they say the older you get, the less likely you will travel.

FredLC could tell you about details maybe...

 

[willemvanoranje]

yeah, I also think that if I don't do it I'll kick myself in like 10 years. And there's so many con's....but there's the social life thing. I mean, I can survive without my parents and sister I think, that's not the main issue. The main issue is friends. I don't worry much about how it will be there, more about how it will be here when I come back.

 

[WickedSmurf]

Take that chance!
I cannot speak from personal experience but I have no less than 8 friends who have been away on long term exchange programs all across the globe. They were ALL very happy with it. So if you got an opportunity, go! And to Brazil nontheless...

 

[floppa21]

Will, I am 28. I am cynical. So keep that in mind as you read the next lines.

People come and go. I am not in contact with anyone from school. I graduated 11 years ago. Just look at the odds... You might lose a friend or two now if you leave for a year. You will definitely lose a friend or 10 later, simply because life's paths are many and we do not all take the same one. Look at CFC for example. Think of all the people you saw here regularly who you never see now.

GO. You can post from there and tell us all about it. Besides, think of the Brazilian women in the Babe Thread!

 

[willemvanoranje]

Yeah! The chicks are #2-76 on the pro list Really, on that subject exchange student life is great, I've heard

And of course, if I'm realistic I see as well, that losing friends is life. Can't stop that from happening. Still scary though.

 

[Yoda Power]

you´ll properly get alot of Brazilian friends too..

 

[floppa21]

Well, I can say that I wish I had had that option. I can't say for certain I would have taken it of course... But now, yah, it's something I would have enjoyed. And if it had been an option and I hadn't taken it for whatever reason, I'd probably regret it at least a little. It is your decision ultimately. More people will post in this thread soon so you'll get more opinions...

 

[willemvanoranje]

yes, but that's temporary: I'll return to Holland after a year.

And yes, that's what my feeling says as well I'll regret it later on if i decline.

 

[Dell19]

In my own situation, I think I might not go as I would want to go to University without having a gap year, but I cannot be sure and after University I would probably accept.

It looks like a good opportunity, and I've been chatting to Willem about it and I think he would enjoy it

 

[Hitro]

Originally posted by floppa21
He was German.[...] beer[...] he liked the change.

Obviously a madman.

Most exchange students I know liked it, but of course they were all quite positive towards it in the first place, otherwise they wouldn't even have become an exchange student.

 

[floppa21]

I assumed he would hate the beer... Maybe he was just being polite. <shrug>

 

[Hitro]

Mad enough.

 

[willemvanoranje]

I heard beer is just 20-30p in Brazil

I wonder though, aren't there any people that actually went on an exchange program here?

 

[test_specimen]

I went on a student exchange when I was in high school. But it was only for several weeks and I went to France (which is not too far away from Austria). I am still in contact with the family I lived with, and I meet some of them about once every year.

I can only recommend going on such a programm. As for Brazil, the country is definitely worth a visit. It depends on where you go, but it will be a change. And I guess you will have it easy to find new friends there, because Brazilians are very hospitable. (Though they are never on time.)

ah, and yes, the beer is cheap and good.

 

[willemvanoranje]

the change is what attracts me, the adventure, a different culture, other values, other language, everything.

 

[Pangur Bán]

Well, I am currently on exchange. I'm already missing things. It's very expensive and a lot of hassle. I'm fine, miising things, but enjoying myself!

But just don't get yourself in trouble in a society that you don't understand. That'd be a nightmare.

 

[test_specimen]

Originally posted by willemvanoranje
... other language ...

Do you speak Portuguese? Because you can't expect them to speak any foreign language (not even Spanish). At least when I went there, this was the biggest problem. You can understand a lot if you speak Spanish, but they will completely ignore your attempts to cripple/enhance your Spanish to a half decent Portuguese.

On the other hand, if you plan to learn Portuguese, Brazil will be the perfect environment, because you are not tempted to speak English. You are forced to learn Portuguese.

 

[willemvanoranje]

exactly. I do not speak Portuguese, do however speak Spanish a bit, so that's a little advantage. One cannot go a year there without learning the language, that's certainly one of the things that have to be done. And I at least know for sure that the most important people will speak English, like in host families.