Foreign Exchange

Well, a few weeks ago we got a foreign exchange student from China. His English is pretty good, but his vocabulary is lacking, so we often have to describe a lot of words for him (Like ‘cramp’ and ‘storage‘). But anyway, I’ve been an only child for like my whole life, so the longest time anyone my age has ever lived with us was like a week. This is an interesting experience for me. Unfortunately, he has weird sleeping habits. He is terrified of spiders, so he had to push my bed away from the wall (It’s a bunk bed; I sleep on the bottom, he sleeps on top) and he always has to leave the closet light on. I’m not sure why he’s still afraid of the dark, he’s 15 after all.

ANYWAY enough of my blabbering. Have any of you had foreign exchange students come live with you before? Have you gone anywhere else on foreign exchange? If so, share your stories! =D

-King KK

I haven't had any living with me, but my senior year of HS we had 2 exchange students from England, about 5 from Japan, and 1 from Iraq.

Originally Posted by Zarah

I haven't had any living with me, but my senior year of HS we had 2 exchange students from England, about 5 from Japan, and 1 from Iraq.

Wow. That's a lot for one year, I would think.
I guess having an exchange student living with me is more of a novelty for me then other people because I've never had any brothers or sisters.

3 years ago at school, 12 of us (not including me, unfortunately) exchanged with people from France.
...we only had 2 in one of our classes. Okay, here and there, we speak the same language, but the Frenchs had hard time to understand our terms, heheh.

The girl that is currently teaching me Japanese is a foreign exchange student straight from Japan. She's pretty cool and although her English is somewhat broken, she is actually very interested in a lot of American tradition. I also know some Chinese foreign exchange students as well. They're pretty cool people in general and very honest.

I lived in Japan for 12 months as an exchange student.

Originally Posted by Eijiro

I lived in Japan for 12 months as an exchange student.

That's actually what I'm hoping to do in my second or third year of college.

I've never personally had a foreign exchange student at my house, nor have I gone to another country as one, but my school hosts a few every year. Freshman year we had a Korean girl, sophomore year a German girl (whom I still contact), junior year a Russian girl and a Chinese girl, and senior year a Japanese boy. We could have had more, but those are the ones I know of. I've met all but the Japanese boy, and they were all very nice people. I was sad when they went back to their homes. ;-;

Actually, the German girl stayed with one of my friends, and the Russian and Chinese girl stayed with another one of my friends.

I studied half year (2007) in Argentina.-

Originally Posted by Nox

That's actually what I'm hoping to do in my second or third year of college.

I did it during High School, which was neat, because it meant I got to go to a Japanese High School and live with a host family etc. It was such a good year, studying abroad in any country is definitely a rewarding experience.

I wish I could go somewhere else for a while, but I don't know If I would be able too. Actually, now that I think about it, it would be a bad idea, as I don't know any other languages.

Originally Posted by King KK

I wish I could go somewhere else for a while, but I don't know If I would be able too. Actually, now that I think about it, it would be a bad idea, as I don't know any other languages.

If you don't speak another language/don't want to learn a second language, there's always the multitude of English speaking countries out there to consider.

I came to the USA for University as an exchange student. Liked it better than Japan so now I live here.

I've been to Japan on exchange three times and have had many exchange students live at my place. Currently a friend I made when last in Japan is on exchange here for a year.

I really enjoy watching Japanese comedies, dramas and animé but my (Aussie) girlfriend and most of my (Aussie) mates don't share that passion. So, it is great having my (Japanese) mate live with me as it means that I can enjoy those things with him whenever I want.

Student exchange is an excellent way to gain insights into foreign cultures as well as personally mature and develop your independency.

Originally Posted by King KK

I wish I could go somewhere else for a while, but I don't know If I would be able too. Actually, now that I think about it, it would be a bad idea, as I don't know any other languages.

I know a sizeable amount of Spanish, and English is my 2nd language, but we don't have the cash.

I'll happily switch positions .