Homes Away From Home: International Exchange Students on Studying Abroad

You may have at some point met a student that was involved in the International Student Exchange. According to iseusa.org, the process of an international student leaving home to come here begins with a “careful screening of potential exchange student applicants,” and the process is helped along with a J-1 visa being provided for high school students that are eligible. They come to the United States and can partake in an exchange program, with the length of their stay being 5, 10, or 12 months long.

American students may often find something to complain about having to do with their school, but do our exchange students see the same way? What differs? German exchange student Julian Korsten (12) says, “ I don’t think I really had any big problems with the American school system. Also because the American school system is pretty relaxed compared to European school systems. But the main challenge was the language.” Korsten says another one of his main challenges here was hard classes such as AP Chemistry. “ I think I just had to get used to everything. Also I’m very lucky since I found some good friends very quickly who showed me around so I didn’t have to face big challenges other exchange students may had to face.”

Rest assured, Korsten is enjoying his time here. He says the most exciting experience for him personally is the “American vibe. Like being wild and doing stuff with a lot enthusiasm.”

“Moreover, I really like that everything is included to the school, clubs and activities. That creates a nice community and spirit. In Germany, where I am from, you do everything outside of school. All sports and activities you do are separate from school. This may be better for education but American high school is way more fun.” Korsten adds football matches to his list of things he has fun with because everyone goes to them in a good mood and you get to hang out with people outside of your friend group. “It’s also way easier to get to know people here than in Germany. Another thing that is very cool is that you can drive here at a very young age. So you can cruise with your friends around and go everywhere you want to. In Germany, you have to be 18 to drive on your own. Also, people here do more things without really thinking about consequences. That’s both, negative and positive but in my opinion sometimes way more fun than if you would think about it before.”

Korsten says he misses his friends and family in Germany, his best friend, and his little brother especially. He says, “People are just different over here than in Germany. I have the feeling like it’s easier to make friendships over here but in my opinion, there are better friendships in Germany. But that depends of course on every person and how they act.”

German holidays are similar to American holidays. Korsten says, “There are just differences in food and also national differences. Like America is influenced by other traditions from countries than Germany. I think in Germany it’s more with the family than in America. But in general no gigantic differences. Also, we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving and the 4th of July – logically.”

Culture in Germany is vast, and traditions vary, but Korsten has a list of a few things it’s known for: Oktoberfest, a festival where people drink a lot of beer and party, leather pants, pretzels and beer, Volkswagen, and being on time.

If you’re somebody with a sense of travel, or you know somebody that wants to, Korsten encourages studying abroad. “You will take a lot back home, a lot of experience. You will face big challenges for sure but grow on them. Be open for everything,” he says. Korsten continues that you shouldn’t be biased if you don’t know how it really is. Documentation is important as well, so you have something else on top of your memories when you look back on it.

Korsten describes Germany as being economically strong, and that its standard of living is high in most parts. Structure is present and direct. “What I just mentioned about America being a bit more relaxed, so Germany is more structured. But not that you would think: ‘Where did I land?’ You will get used to it without even noticing it.” Korsten acknowledges Germany as being beautiful, crediting its nature and old castles as virtues of its beauty.

French exchange student Albane Hoyau (12), regards the language barrier to be a challenge in the school system here. “Oftentimes it’s hard to understand all instructions or lessons because the teachers can talk fast and use words that I’ve never heard of before since they aren’t in my French vocabulary,” Hoyau states.

Hoyau says to other exchange students, “enjoy your year because it actually goes by very fast and before you know it you’re going back home.” She notes the importance of taking advantage of every opportunity available, new experiences, meeting new people, and making the most of and enjoying all you’re able to do as an exchange student.

“Life in France is very different, everything is different, the people, the food, the school system, the fashion… I don’t have a big family. I just have 2 brothers and my parents; they’re all very nice! My friends are very funny and really nice too, we party a lot and hang out almost every day after school at a cafe, we get delicious coffee and just enjoy each other’s company.” According to Hoyau, she says it’s custom in French culture to have dinner with family very late. “Most of the time I eat with my family around 9 pm and we really take time to talk to spend time with one another and enjoy our meal.” To Hoyau and her family, it’s important to eat a home-cooked meal; fast food is not in the picture. Part of what contributes to eating late is the hours set for school. “School finishes at 5-6 pm and we start at 8 am, most people have a sport after school so people come home pretty late.”

As far as holidays and breaks back home in France, they are quite different for Hoyau. Although there is quite some time for breaks, students are assigned a lot of homework, with the only exception being summer. “We have a two week break from October to November, two weeks off in December for Christmas, two weeks off in February, two weeks off in April for Easter, and a traditional summer break of two months.”

When it comes to adventuring, Hoyau believes that her most exciting experience would be being lucky enough to be living in Califonia and being able to take in its beauty. “From the beach to the mountain tops I love everything that I’ve seen.”

Spanish student Eduardo Aznar’s challenge with the school system here was also the language. Aznar describes the first few weeks as being difficult when trying to understand people when they were talking or trying to follow some classes such as math, anatomy, or US History. But as far as experiences go, Aznar says that Halloween and his first football game were the biggest. “In Spain, we don’t celebrate Halloween. The people don’t get costumes, we don’t have trick-or-treating, decorating pumpkins. And it was so exciting to live it as the films, and taste some American candies that we don’t have in Spain,” says Aznar. “What I miss more from my country is all the cultural dishes we have in Spain and my relatives.”

Though Spain shares similarities with the US for Christmas, there are differences. There are no decorating gingerbread houses, and no large decorations and displays. “People just put a Christmas tree inside their house,” says Aznar. However, there is an interesting tradition for the New Year in Spain. “For every bell that rings we have to eat one grape (representing every month of they year).”

“Life in Spain is really different. It’s not usual to see teenagers working here, so the weekends they just study and hang out with their friends and families,” Aznar says. “Everyone goes to all the places walking, as teenagers can’t have their driver’s license before 18, so usually people meet just to walk around the city or go shopping.”

He also encourages those exploring the idea of being an exchange student to do it and not be afraid of the experience. “They are going to have some hard moments, but they are gonna have a good time, learn a lot and grow as people.”