Tuesday, August 14, 2012
How do I get started in a Foreign Exchange Student Program?
How do I get started in a Foreign Exchange Student Program?
I am a Freshman in Highschool, and I want the go with a Foreign Exchange Student Program to Spain or a spanish speaking country. I have taken 3 years of Spanish. I also volunteer at a hospital 4 hours a week (which they might like.) I have good grades also. The problem, is that I don't know how to start or how I will come up with that money. Anything will help me even if it's not in a Spanish country. Thanks!
Studying Abroad - 5 Answers
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1 :
Do a search on high school abroad programs. Do I sense the major problem is money? Exchange student programs do go both ways - if you can find one that hosts a student and then reciprocate by being hosted. My wife and I attended the Alliance Francaise in Paris which was for foreign students wishing to learn French. It had curriculums for non speakers of French to Masters degrees in French. The instruction started any Monday 50 weeks of the year. The University of Arizona has a fine reputation for students in foreign languages. Generally students there would enroll in a college class at UA and hop on a plane to the country whose language they wanted to learn and come back to take the course final exam. I served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Brazil and married a Brazilian who didn't speak English. 39 years later her English and my Portugese are nearly perfect. I regularly read newspapers in the several languages I speak. Just Google foreign language newspapers. You might check in with a local college to see if they have a Spanish speaking club. I learned my Spanish traveling in South America 40+years after I took a year of Spanish in high school. A friend's wife was invited to summer camps in Germany to promote German language and culture instruction in the USA and paid for by the German government. My sons did spring break mission work in Mexico with groups coming from Oklahoma Christian in Edmond OK. They used their high school Spanish to a great degree. I am suggesting this is a little longer process that just a quick fling. Buena suerte!
2 :
BEST, MOST FUN AND COMPLETE CULTURE AND LANGUAGE PROGRAM IN BEAUTIFUL/SAFE SPANISH BEACH RESORT My sister and I participated in a fabulous program in SPAIN. The best lifestyle immersion experience available for those willing to learn about Spanish Culture and Lifestyle. This amazingly beautiful town is known for its cultural refinement, and an atmosphere typical of old Spain. It is so much fun!!! And you learn so much!!!! It is so enriching. I LOVED IT!!! Both my sister and I participated different summers and we had a blast! We made so many good friends we still keep in touch with! The program is really well planned out and people are lovely! Many host families have teens. They even allow you to come with a friend to stay in same host family home or in a different home. Check their website www.beautifulspain.com It is the most preferred Exchange Student Program In Spain!!!! This program is considered the most complete exposure to a foreign country as it combines CLASSES (art, debate, street talk, folklore, among others) with FUN and EXCITING ACTIVITIES such as Latin Dance Classes, Bullfight, Boat Excursion, etc…, FULL DAY OUTINGS to places of historical and cultural interest such as prehistoric Altamira Caves, Guggenheim Museum, Roman Ruins, "Capricho de Gaudi", Roman Route Hiking adventure, etc... are also ALL INCLUDED IN THE PRICE while living with a local, loving and carefully selected HOST FAMILY Santander, the capital city of Cantabria located on a beautiful bay and flanked by numerous beaches, is home to this exciting program.
3 :
You should wait until you are in college and actually get credit for it. The Committee for Safety of Foreign Exchange Students is the best place to start
4 :
First, talk to your local Rotary program about it. Then they should give you some info about it & do the research & talk bout it with your family. Don't worry about money cause Rotary pays for most of it. All you pay for is the flight & insurance, which isn't bad at all.
5 :
I've met a bunch of people coming to Córdoba, Argentina. They have all loved it here. Most of them came via Rotary and others thru the university of Austin, TX. I have a speaking partner from the USA coming here next month. Just do your homework. I went to the states for two years on a program for less than $600. It's possible!
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