As we continue to get older, the amount of experiences that we are exposed to increases. We make vital choices that can affect our lives in positive ways or negative ways. We decide what to do with our lives and hope that we are making the right choice for ourselves. One choice, the most important choice senior year, is what to do after high school. Almost everyone asks you that question on a daily basis. For some, they sit and stare at the wall hoping it will give them the answer while others immediately spout out their response. For me, it is simple. I am going to be a foreign exchange student.
There are many reasons for which I chose to be foreign exchange student. First, you get to live in a new culture and learn a new language. Learning a new language can be extremely scary to some. People often believe that they will not be able to fully grasp the language and therefore fail at communication. Immersion, however, does wonders. When you are forced to learn a new language, you find that you can pick it up fairly easily. Also, living in a new country whose culture is different than America can be extremely intimidating. But their customs soon will become your own. Being in a country for a week is different than being there for a year. You become used to their ways and find it to be just as enjoyable as your own habits back in your hometown.
The experiences and memories you can make are endless. You’re in a new country for goodness sakes! Take advantage of it! The key to being a foreign exchange student and getting the most out of it is to never say no to any offer that can improve your trip. If your host family wants to spend the weekend on a beach, take the offer full swing. When you leave, you will be changed because of everything you were able to experience while abroad. This, of course, extends beyond just sightseeing the famous landmarks found in every history book. This includes the food, time with friends, and the little moments that forever reign in your head.
While you’re on a foreign exchange, you stay with a host family. These people become your other family. They treat you like you are their own. It is hard to not feel as a part of their family, especially when you are living in their house practically every day. When you leave, the people you stayed with, whether it be one family, or five families, will leave their lasting impression on you. Also, you get to make friends from across the globe. When you say that you have friends in almost every continent that has humans living on it, people begin to become highly impressed.
Last but not least, you begin to truly discover yourself. From the time you leave America to the time you return, you will be a different person. Being away from family in a new country leaves a mark on your maturity and personality. Traveling is beneficial to almost everyone. So while exploring your future options, explore foreign exchange. Who knows, it may be for you as well.