Parents are worried about student exchange - information gaps can be filled

Lohmar, March 05, 2024 - Students who can take part in a student exchange have a special privilege. Parents have many concerns about this, as the student exchange organization international EXPERIENCE e. V. knows. As unreservedly as the young people want to jump in, their parents are just as cautious. However, three issues can be overcome with careful consideration and professional, warm-hearted support:



Uncertainty and waiting: How parents can master the time _before _the student exchange

The anticipation of the student exchange is great, but the time of waiting can be a challenge for parents and their children. Uncertainty about where exactly the child will be placed and what the coming months will look like can lead to uncertainty and stress.

Tips for parents:

* Get informed: use the time to find out about the host country and culture. The more you know, the better you can support your child.
* Stay positive: Encourage your child and yourself. Remember that the exchange is a valuable experience that will enrich your child's life.
* Communicate: Talk to other parents who have had similar experiences. Sharing stories and tips can be reassuring.

"The waiting period can be nerve-wracking, but it's also an opportunity to prepare for the adventure ahead," says Maria M., an experienced exchange mother.



Financial considerations: Financing the student exchange

Student exchange is an investment, and financial considerations should be a particular motivator for parents to allow their children to participate in this life-changing experience - there is no better return on investment than investing in character and education.

Tips for parents on financing a student exchange:

* Create a budget: Sit down with your child and create a budget. Include all costs, travel expenses, insurance and pocket money.
* Scholarships and support: Find out about scholarships, grants and funding opportunities. Participants can apply for a pocket money scholarship from international EXPERIENCE e. V., for example.
* Save money together: Make the student exchange a shared goal. Everyone can make a contribution, be it through part-time jobs or piggy banks.

"Financial planning is essential, the student exchange is an investment in your child's future",_ says Jane L., a dedicated exchange coordinator.



Homesickness and separation: How parents can support their children during their year abroad

When a child is abroad, homesickness can set in. Parents must also learn to deal with the separation and be there for their children at the same time.

Tips for parents:

* Open communication: encourage your child to talk about their feelings, and to use their local caregivers. Let them know that it is normal to be homesick.
* Digital connection: Use your media to stay in touch. Video calls and messages help bridge the distance.
* Self-care: Don't forget to take care of yourself. When you feel good, you can be there for your child better.

"It's important for parents to process their own emotions and be there for their children at the same time. It's a balance we all need to learn," says Thomas S., father of an exchange student.

Student exchanges may bring new challenges, but they also offer unforgettable experiences and new perspectives. Together with an experienced student exchange organization such as international EXPERIENCE e. V., parents and young people can master this undertaking.



Interested parties can seek individual advice on which program is best suited to them. There are still places available in host families, schools and boarding schools for the 2024 summer departure - if you apply quickly. Initial information can be found in Onlinezooms, dates can be found here: News and dates - international-experience.net, or at a local education fair, e.g. soon in Freiburg, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Berlin, Bielefeld, Heidelberg and Munich.

international EXPERIENCE e.V.
Amselweg 20
53797 Lohmar
Germany

https://germany.international-experience.net/

+491726208618

v.wolters@international-experience.net

International EXPERIENCE e. V. Brief profile
International EXPERIENCE e. V. advises and accompanies students and families for a year abroad in 14 countries. The employees of iE e. V. have specific experience. With colleagues on site or long-standing partner organizations, intensive preparation, continuous availability and a tailor-made online tool, they guarantee all the prerequisites for an unforgettable year abroad. Surpluses from iE e. V. are passed on to selected participants in need.

- Every year, around 700 exchange students go abroad with iE e. V. to the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, France, Spain, Italy, the UK, Ireland, Chile, Argentina and Finland.
- The students prepare intensively in a two-day preparatory seminar in Germany, followed by a parents' session.
- A dedicated team in the USA and accreditation there as an advisor to the CSIET Council on Standards for Educational Travel guarantee excellent support in the most popular destination country.
- iE e. V. has been certified by the German Institute for Service Quality since 2017 and is a specialist for Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
- Founded in 2000, 260 employees in six iE representative offices worldwide.

This release was published on openPR.