Learning without borders: How parents master the student exchange

Lohmar, 11.06.24. The thought of one's own child going abroad on a school exchange triggers excitement and amazement in parents, but probably also worries and fears.

Here, international EXPERIENCE e. V. puts together what helps to ensure that students have a safe and enriching experience - so that parents have less to worry about.

For example, parents may fear difficulties with the other language, even if it has been taught at school for years. But during the student exchange, the language is quickly improved through daily immersion. In addition, the teachers and host families are prepared to help the students overcome language barriers: After all, they are deliberately hosting a foreign-language guest.

The differences in the school system are also unfamiliar: other countries have different educational standards, school subjects, rules and teaching methods and this can be intimidating at first. Exchange organizations such as international EXPERIENCE e. V. only place young people at schools that meet the state criteria, support guest students and have proven experience in looking after exchange students.

Homesickness is another parental concern, as the young people are away from home for longer and further than before. If they miss their familiar surroundings, the student exchange organization's supervisors have tips on how to deal with these feelings. Ultimately, homesickness shows a greater appreciation for one's home country.

Parents may find social integration into a new community stressful and not easy. Making friends and becoming part of a new group across language and cultural boundaries means leaving your comfort zone. However, exchange students are warmly welcomed and quickly bond through shared interests and activities.

There may also be problems with the host family, but these are usually temporary and solvable. International EXPERIENCE e. V. works with experience and passion to bring together students and families who are a good match and is available to mediate in the event of disagreements.

Student exchanges can be learned: special preparatory courses such as the multi-day meetings organized by international EXPERIENCE e. V. deal with cultural differences, the expectations of the school and the new everyday life. Everyone can get a personal impression of the program experts and supervisors and interview returnees. The young people network and can thus interact with other guest students during their time abroad.



If there are still worries, this is normal: after all, parents have been looking after their children for years and have to leave their own comfort zone for a student exchange. However, the young people have a good basis and are often much more adaptable than their parents expect. Parents can give their child the best gift of all by trusting them. They can rest assured that their motivated children have been carefully selected, prepared and are in good hands.

Accompanying and supporting families and young people during this phase is the expertise of student exchange programs and the great advantage of having these companions by your side.



Interested young people and their parents should take advantage of the individual advice and do intensive research. At international EXPERIENCE e. V., we discuss in detail where the wishes and needs are particularly well met. Blogs, social media and podcasts are further sources of information on what exchange students can expect in their host country.

A lot of information is also provided in online zooms and you can ask returnees: News and dates - international-experience.net on 11.06.24 about Australia and New Zealand, on 13.06.24 about a stay abroad in the USA.

A first personal contact is also possible at an education fair, e.g. in the coming weeks in Frankfurt, Hanover, Cologne, Hamburg, Munich.



International EXPERIENCE e. V. Short 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 as part of a pocket money scholarship.

- 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, Argentina and Finland.
- The students prepare intensively at a preparatory seminar in Germany lasting several days, followed by a parents' session.

- A close partnership with international EXPERIENCE USA and its accreditation as an advisor with 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 worldwide.

international EXPERIENCE e. V.
Amselweg 20
53797 Lohmar
Germany

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

01726208618

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 as part of a pocket money scholarship.

- 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 at a preparatory seminar in Germany lasting several days, followed by a parents' session.
- A close partnership with international EXPERIENCE USA and its accreditation as an advisor with 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, iE now has six representative offices worldwide.

This release was published on openPR.