A lot of students are hyped about the idea of becoming an exchange student. After all, studying at a foreign university while immersed in the culture of another country is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most students. However, being an exchange student can be quite challenging because it requires living life on your own and being away from family for months or even years.
Being an exchange student is no doubt exciting. You get to experience a different culture, explore different student lodgings, or live with another family. Students who wish to be exchange students need to adapt to being on their own since being an exchange student means being alone most of the time. To cope with being away from their family or home country, students must try living life on their own for at least three months before heading abroad.
Life as an Exchange Student
Living life as an exchange student can be quite tough but also rewarding. Being an exchange student is a great way to get out of your comfort zone and learn more about the world. However, some challenges come with living in an entirely unfamiliar place.
Below are the benefits of being an exchange student:
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You get to live in a different country
One of the best things about being an exchange student is getting to live in a different country. Many students dream of being exchange students because being overseas is the best way to explore different cultures.
While being in another country, you are sure to learn about their culture and traditions. For example, if you choose to be an exchange student in France, you would know more French customs, which can help improve your perspective on their culture.
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You get to meet new people
Being an exchange student will expose you to new groups of people. As a result, you get to meet many new people from different parts of the world. This is a great way to broaden your horizons. Being exposed to new mindsets can help you learn more about other cultures, which will give you a better understanding of how they think.
You also get to make more friends throughout your journey. You can keep in touch with your new friends using social media such as Facebook and Twitter once you go home. This way, you can maintain your friendship.
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You get to expand your knowledge and skills
Being an exchange student also means that you get access to another school’s educational system. This means that you get to be exposed to new learning materials, different teaching styles, and you’ll learn how they do things in another part of the world. By gaining access to a new educational system, you get to expand your knowledge and skills.
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You get to live independently
Being an exchange student means that you have to live independently. This means that you have to be responsible for taking care of yourself. You need to cope on your own because you have no family members to count on. Living independently is an excellent way to train for life as an adult.
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You get to make good memories
Of course, you also get to make good memories that you can keep forever. You get to meet new people and make friends with them. By being an exchange student, you’re getting the chance to explore a culture that is different from your own. By making good memories, you are living a life worth remembering.
These benefits make life exciting for exchange students. However, there are also drawbacks to living as an exchange student. These drawbacks include:
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Living away from home
Living away from home can be challenging because being an exchange student can be a lonely experience. You may feel homesick once you have already spent weeks or months away from your friends and family. Not being able to go home on holidays or celebrate birthdays with loved ones is also challenging for many exchange students.
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Getting used to the new culture
Because being an exchange student means living in a different country where the culture is very different from what you are used to, there is a big possibility that you will experience culture shock. You might struggle with language and cultural barriers that will make you feel alone and hopeless. Therefore, life as an exchange student is far from easy.
Being an Exchange Student is a Good Experience
While being an exchange student can be challenging, immersing yourself in a different culture provides many life-changing experiences to make your life enjoyable. Therefore, it is worth it to become an exchange student for the benefits that you will get.
