Many college students toy with the notion of spending a semester or two studying in another country, and those who do often report positive experiences. Though few high school juniors and seniors really go through with it, those who do have an experience of a lifetime. Perhaps you’re just beginning to consider studying abroad, perhaps you’ve already made up your mind and are prepared to make the transition, or perhaps you’re currently in the midst of your exchange experience and are seeking a community of other students to lean on.
Keep reading this book to obtain information and tips for your foreign exchange trip, no matter where you are on the spectrum. Here are six foreign exchange student problems.
Six Foreign Exchange Student Problems
1. Time Difference
Whether the time difference between the two countries involved in the student exchange programme is simply an hour or more than 12 hours, it will take some getting used to. Many individuals struggle with jet lag, but they also face difficulties such as calling home at the proper time or following the time on their watch only to realise they forgot to change it as they flew between time zones, causing them to be either late or early to an appointment.
If it’s just jet lag, rest will help, but if the symptoms are severe, medical attention may be necessary. If you’re having trouble keeping in contact with loved ones back home, you may utilise your phone’s dual clock feature, which shows the current time in both your current location and your home. This is the first foreign exchange student problems.
2. Homesickness
This is a common experience for anybody who is forced to spend time away from home. There’s always going to be a time when you miss home and wish you were back there. Sometimes you’ll have a good laugh and wish you could tell someone at home. On a scorching day after lunch, you may not even feel like going to your maths lesson.
The solution is to be more active; you are in a new place and should take use of it. Make an effort to take full use of your current location so that you will be sad to go. Once you start doing this, you’ll notice that your homesickness diminishes. This is the second foreign exchange student problems.
3. Getting Lost
In your isolation, you may easily get lost or board the incorrect bus. Some individuals are more susceptible to this than others. There’s nothing more disconcerting than being in a strange environment and having no idea which way to turn.
Don’t worry, if you have your phone with you, you can use it as a map and a compass. There are navigation apps for most phones that may help you find your route. If you are prone to forgetting, write down the names of the streets where you reside and the destination so that you can easily ask for directions. This is the third foreign exchange student problems.
4. Confrontation with a Different Culture
There are a lot of us (billions), and we all have our own ways of life. Some procedures are going to seem odd and complicated to you at first. It may refer to what people eat, how they treat one another, or how they observe festivals. It’s possible that this may make you miss home, feel alone, or even feel afraid.
The best way to prepare for a trip is to learn as much as possible about your destination ahead of time. Get ready to adjust your lifestyle.
Even with these slight difficulties, you should not pass up the chance to go to a new region of the globe. There are various upsides to this. This is the fourth foreign exchange student problems.
Also read: how to get motivated to do homework
5. Not Wanting to Leave
After getting beyond these obstacles, you’ll appreciate your new place of residence that much more. You will miss the fantastic café down the street, the friendly neighbours, and many other mundane details when it is time to return home after completing your studies. You will want for the open road and new experiences, but you will find that leaving is a problem in and of itself. However, after your amazing time abroad, you will be eager to return home and tell everyone about it. This is the fifth foreign exchange student problems.
6. Daily Money Management
In addition, it is important that students learn how to budget their money. Scholarships may be a lifesaver for overseas students trying to make ends meet. However, it is imperative that all students learn how to manage their money. Students have additional costs of living to consider besides tuition, such as rent, food, and transportation. Larger cities have higher costs of living, however these figures may vary widely depending on factors like individual preferences in lodging and dining out. This is the last foreign exchange student problems.
Although the lack of a financial safety net from loved ones might add stress to your life, you should see this setback as a chance to teach yourself how to create and stick to a budget.
Also read: How to Find Motivation to Study.
How Does It Feel to Be an International Student?
A student’s time as an exchange participant might vary greatly depending on a number of variables, including the country visited and the length of time spent there. As a result, some students are in major metropolitan areas, while others are in more rural areas. Some of them go to public schools, while others choose private education. Some foreign exchange students are matched with childless families, while others obtain host siblings. Some students attend school for a whole academic year, while others spend just the summer doing so.
In order to ensure your success during your time abroad, most programmes will provide you with an orientation before you go. Your host family will be able to contact you before you even arrive. From the moment you set foot in your host nation, you will begin acting and behaving like a native.
Conclusion
This is the end of the blog about foreign exchange student problems. While the specifics of each student’s exchange experience may be different, the fundamentals of the experience as a whole will remain consistent and straightforward. You’ll spend time with a foreign family, go to classes taught in another language, and immerse yourself in a new culture.
During your time with a host family, you can expect to be treated like a member of the family and taken on outings, introduced to the local customs and traditions, included in school activities, and introduced to new friends. With a host family, you can dive headfirst into your new culture.
Just like at your regular school, you’ll have a variety of extracurricular options from which to choose. In order to combat feelings of homesickness and isolation, taking advantage of this time to try something new or continue with a familiar pastime is highly recommended.