r/exchangestudents

I really want to be an exchange student, but I’m torn and I need help deciding. I know it has disadvantages — I’d start university a year behind my peers, and that scares me. My term 1 results were also bad, and I’m worried programs won’t accept me. The truth is I procrastinate a lot, not because I don’t care, but because I’m scared. If I try my hardest and still fail, it feels worse than failing without trying. I’d rather fail from not trying than face the pain of failing after giving it my all. I don’t know if I should stay in my country and finish with my peers, or take the exchange and start uni a year later. I want to grow, but I’m afraid of making the wrong choice. What do you think I should do?

Our American son is going to Germany for his exchange in a few weeks and we are wondering what gifts to send. When their son came he brought some great German chocolate treats which we loved.

American treats just seem really lame in comparison. We’re in Chicago so shut thoughts would be really welcome.

Hey everyone! I'm a high school student and I've received my welcome letter from Mexico so the problem is that I need to get the visa ASAP! I've no idea how to do all the necessary documentations work it's kind of confusing cuz there's no proper info

If anyone knows what are the documents required and how I can book the appointment online pls help. I'll be truly grateful 🙏🏻

Thankyou

Hi, I've recently been accepted to the second round of AFS whatever it is. I have to write my host family letter, but there aren't really a lot of instructions. How long should it be? Also, what all should I include? Any past letters you guys have that would be good references? Or am I overthinking it..

So right now Im currently in a relationship with an exchange student. Im 25 and im about to finish my second major, shes 22 and currently have 2 years left.( she did her 1 year OPT already). Since mr.T is going crazy with all the regulations lately, my gf's situation is kinda rough. We have been together for 2 years and a half, thru those time she really changed me from a really messy, unorganized, and clueless person to become a tidy and well mannered person. Also, she have worked for a couple companies during her OPT time, and I saw that she worked really hard in order to have a small chance to stay in the US. Thats why we have had a serious conversation about our relationship, and the safest way is us getting married or else we will have to breakup! For me, I have an offer after my graduation so im trying really hard to be financially stable, but at the same time i dont know if im ready for a family yet... thats why I have been really struggling mentally.

Just like what the title says.

I never had a close relationship with my own mother. I kind of just moved on and accepted that.

Recently, I just reconnected with my Spanish host mom after 25+ years and she fulfills that nurturing maternal figure I never had, and it has been a very emotional journey.

I just want to say to all host families that you guys may mean more than meets the eye to your host students.

And to all exchange students, you may literally gain a new chosen family depending on your own family situation.

Sometimes I think I was born into the wrong culture and country.

I am forever grateful. Viva Espana! ❤️🇪🇸

I will be going to Canada as an exchange student next year and I'm really worried about the concept of a host family. Are there usually strict rules? And I am usually not very outgoing until I get comfortable and I can come off as a bit awkward and I wouldn't want my host family to be disappointed or have any problems with my host family. Can anyone who has went to an exchange year tell me their experiences?

My exchange application was approved and I’m coming to western for this fall semester from Barbados. This is my first time coming to Canada, do you have any general advice and tips for go make the most of my 4 month experience?

Hello I am just wondering is it possible to do a high school exchange with a prearranged family. It would be to New Zealand and I would be hosted by some friends my family has there. I would still go to school and stuff I just don’t need the agency to match me with someone. If this is possible, how does it work?

We were convinced to host a student without knowing much about this company. Turns out they are not interested in student development. Their priority is profit $$$. The student and our host family really connected and it was a great year but we know EF exchange took advantage of the student’s parents. They paid $35,000. Host family received nothing and actually paid thousands all year. The student wasn’t given any financial resources.

Please DO YOUR RESEARCH. The EF Exchange Program is riddled with lies and corruption. I would hate to see anymore students, hosts, or families harmed by this program. Hopefully our school district will ban this company from ever taking advantage here again.

I am from Poland and I am 19 yo

I’m an exchange student in the US. My parents are coming to meet my host family and take me home in 9 days and I feel so fcking sad.

I feel like, even if I had friends, I didn’t actually connect with anybody.

I sit at lunch with some girls, in which there’s also my host sister (exchange from France) and I feel like even if we’re all there together I’m not actually part of it.
I also go out very rarely with the friends I have, but I’ve never been a going out person so I don’t mind it that much.

I was also in the dance team but even if I talked with everybody I wasn’t that close with anyone.

I think I thought I’d meet friends that I’d miss forever but I didn’t and I’m disappointed because I think I haven’t done enough.

Mind you, I have a beautiful relationship with my whole host family and I’m really grateful but I feel like I’m missing something.

It’s probably also because when my brother did his exchange 2 years ago I saw him with his friends and they’re all so happy together, and sure I’m happy with the people I met but at the same time I know that I’ll 99% never talk to them again.

So my intention is to take part in a student exchange program next year, 2027. Well, I would like to have a fully funded program if possible. Do you have any suggestions on what the most potential student exchange program is? And do you have any tips and experiences regarding student exchanges?

After the first day of being here my host family hasn’t planned or attempted any outings together at all. I’ve been here for over a month now and while they are doing the prepared meals and laundry and providing housing like is required it seems kind of like I was disillusioned into what a typical host family experience is like. We have not left the house together besides the first day to have a brief tour of the nearby area and check out the schools which I think was also a requirement. It kinda makes me feel bummed out.

Edit: they also recently suggested that I should maybe change families to be more comfortable.

Hey everyone, I’m 26F, single, no kids, and live alone with my two cats in rural Pennsylvania. I’m an 8th grade science teacher and honestly thought hosting sounded like such a cool experience. I like hiking, camping, concerts, museums, coffee shops, traveling, thrifting, weekend trips, outdoorsy stuff, etc. I’m pretty laid back and close with my family/friends.

But now that I’m actually looking at student profiles and doing the application, I keep overthinking my living situation.

I live in a 2 bedroom apartment, not a house. It’s honestly a decent apartment — one floor, pretty spacious living room/kitchen, safe area, student would have her own bedroom, etc. But the bedroom itself is kinda small compared to a suburban house, and the bathroom is older/outdated. It’s cozy but definitely not luxurious.

I think I’ve gotten in my head because online it seems like every host family has this giant beautiful house, multiple kids, huge kitchen, finished basement, pool, whatever 😭 meanwhile I’m just over here in my apartment in rural PA with cats.

Part of me feels like I could genuinely provide a good experience because I’d actually include them in things and make them feel welcome. But another part of me worries they’d secretly be disappointed and wish they got placed somewhere “better.”

Has anyone hosted as a single person/in an apartment/smaller home? Or been an exchange student and not cared about that stuff as much as I think people do?

My daughter (U.S.) is considering being an exchange student for a year of high school in Ecuador or Uruguay, but the school year in those countries generally doesn't line up with the U.S. school year. So she would start school in the middle of their year, finish a grade, and either move up and do half a year of the next grade, or go back and repeat the first half of the classes she just finished. The opportunities in these countries are very appealing to her, but she is thinking the non-aligned school years may be a dealbreaker. Is there anyone who has been (or currently is) an exchange student in this situation? How did it work out for you?

Hello, I'm a 1st year in Senior HS (grd 11-Philippines), currently looking for a program to be an exchange student in Canada after I graduate in 12th grade. A program where I can apply for scholarship and they'll also be in charge for the residency. I would pay for the utilities, I just need to find a scholarship and a place to settle in.

In the current state of the Philippines, I had to leave urgently. I was supposed to leave after college but the situation here has been making my parents struggle financially due to inflation and low salary rate. and I have to find a scholarship to ease off the burden as soon as I can.

I'm open for any kinds of examinations. Please, help this helpless person.

Hi guys! I was wondering about the whole process or just a glimplse of applying to multiple international universities with scholarships, I've researched alot of countries and uni that offer intl scholarships, yet I'm still confused on the process of applying for multiple unis all at the same time.
I want to try pursuing college abroad, either in the States or in europe where I could get scholarships

Q.1 Do you have to draft different essays for each unis, and scholarship grant?

Q.2 Is it possible to apply to multiple unis that are on different countries, each country having atleast 3+ unis WITH SCHOLARSHIPS, or is that too much essay, exams, etc?

Q.3 In applying for admission for intl students, is it like in the ph where you have to do entrance exams? or is it— if not all, interview & merit based?

Q.4 Are most scholarships for intl students merit based? if it is, is that how people get multiple scholarships grants from different unis?

I want to work out all the odds, therefore I plan to apply to multiple countries and unis, with a scholarship ofc. I dream to study anywhere but here, Ik it won't be easy, but I thought that suffering abroad in a safe country is better than suffering here in the ph, I really hope anybody with experience, or even with the slightest bit of knowledge could reply🙏