What are the differences between being an exchange student in high school and college?
I am a junior and I want to be an exchange student in Spain next year, but my parents think I should wait until college. What are the advantages and disadvantages of both? Also, if anyone has studied abroad with ASSE, how was it?
Studying Abroad - 1 Answers
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Hello Lauren, While both experiences have merit, they are different. In high school you will likely live with a host family and go to a local high school and truly immerse yourself into the culture. Most, but not all, college programs you will live in dorms and not get a true host family experience. Youth For Understanding is a high school exchange program. We offer programs for students in high school along with a handful of programs open to recently graduated high school students through our Gap Year/semester program options. Studying Abroad in high school will give you definite advantages in college - you are likely to be more focused, you may gain language credits (saving money), some universities offer scholarships to student who've previously studied abroad. Here is a great flyer you can print for your parents: http://yfuusa.org/media/Education/YFU_How_Your_Students_Will_Benefit_Flyer.pdf In the mean time you may want to check out our website and programs www.yfu-usa.org On this page you can email directly with students/parents: http://yfuusa.org/american-students/more-information.php You may also want to connect with students, alumni, parents and volunteers on YFU's Facebook page www.facebook.com/yfu.usa.fan and perhaps they can give you more personal insight on the advantages between both. Often those who study abroad in high school, go again in college. For additional organizations check out www.csiet.org, goabroad.com and studyabroad.com Good luck. If YFU can assist further please email admissions@yfu.org or call 800.TEENAGE
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Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Tips on preparing to become an exchange student in Spain in two years?
Tips on preparing to become an exchange student in Spain in two years?
So I've talked this over with my parents, and they said that if my health remains good, (we've had some hospital incidents with an extremely rare hereditary disorder which no one alive in my family has, btw, basically, I've gone into anaphylaxis (allergic reaction) in the middle of the night three times over the past 7 months. We went to Duke Hospital and they're treating me now. In about five months from now, the anaphylactic reactions should stop happening.), I can probably be an exchange student in Spain for the 2012-2013 schoolyear. Obviously, I will definitely be old enough, as I am in high school now. I'm taking Spanish, and I'll admit, I'm a very, very quick learner in it. The teacher let me borrow some additional material, and now I'm ahead of the rest of the class. Yes, she is teaching us Spanish words/grammar in Spain. (In addition to what is spoken in the Americas.) I've already started setting aside some money to help pay. I'll apply for scholarships too. But for now, what else can I do to prepare? Thanks!
Studying Abroad - 3 Answers
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1 :
Sounds like you've got a lot of your bases covered! Here are some other thoughts I have: - inquire with the organizations you're considering, and check on their medical policy. I know the company I previously worked for was very nit-picky about health history. You may have already done this homework, but make sure the organization you have your heart set on doesn't have a stringent requirement. - put some of your teachers/community mentors on notice for a letter of recommendation - you'll likely need a few - if you're not graduating next year, start talking with your high school now about how your year will transfer -- will you get full credit? Will you need to do pass/fail in Spain, or get actual grades? Will you have to repeat a year? Are there class credits you can take in the 2011-2012 school year to keep you from having to repeat? - pick out an interview outfit? :) - perhaps consider hosting an exchange student from Spain next year. Not only will it give your application an edge -- being able to say you've hosted is huge -- but if you host with an organization that gives a hosting discount, you would be able to shave some cost of your own program :) Plus you'd have someone to visit in Spain! I know that AFS & CIEE give "hosting credit." If you think hosting might work, jump on it now. You went to Duke Hospital -- are you in the Raleigh Durham area? I used to work with NC and schools around there fill up fast, in terms of exchange students. Good luck!
2 :
She SHOULD be teaching you Peninsular Spanish, but you'd figure anything out within about a month, anyway. I'd be more concerned about your health issues! OMG! What if something like that happened while you're there!? People in Spain don't speak very good English...you won't be able to communicate at all, but I promise, when you're going into anaphylaxis, you aren't going to be able to think in Spanish! How old will you be? What sort of program are you talking about? There really isn't that much more to do...if you have a choice of where you're going, you might take some time to flip through some information on possible cities, get an idea for your best bets.
3 :
I participated in a fabulous program, called HomeStay Spain in SPAIN. After speaking with other kids in the group who had participated in other exchange programs abroad we decided this was the best! If you are interested in a lifestyle immersion experience and willing to learn about Spanish Culture and Lifestyle, this is the most amazing program available. The beautiful and safe town of Santander is known for its cultural refinement, and an atmosphere typical of old Spain. It is so much fun!!! And we learned so much!!!! It was 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. And if you sign up early they allow you to choose from the available host families for a perfect fit. Check their website www.beautifulspain.com Before deciding among different programs I had a chance to speak with some contacts that had participated in this program and my parents did as well. Everyone spoke wonders about this program, the host families and the local director Nuria, who is such a nice lady,... She is usually in Florida at this time of the year, so that means that you may be able to talk to her on the phone once you contact them through their web site. This program is considered the most complete exposure to a foreign country because as they say it is true that it combines CLASSES (art, debate, street talk, folklore, DANCING classes, 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. I know this program allows you to choose from several host families (the type of things this program does, no other program would ever) in order for everyone to be happy.
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Thursday, December 1, 2011
Student accomodations near ISADE Barcelona, Spain?
Student accomodations near ISADE Barcelona, Spain?
I am looking for reasonably priced accomodations for a student who will be attending ISADE in Barcelona, Spain. Any suggestions from those who attended ISADE in past? Thanks. Sorry, I meant ESADE, not Isade.
Other - Spain - 1 Answers
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I haven´t attended Esade, but the following website has got student accommodation in the centre of Barcelona, very good communicated, as well as long term apartment rentals. http://www.spaindreams.com/eng/flat_rentals.htm I suppose it will also depend on from when and how long you need a place to stay.
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Monday, November 28, 2011
Where should I choose for an exchange student trip? Italy, France or Spain?
Where should I choose for an exchange student trip? Italy, France or Spain?
I need to decide quickly and I can't make up my mind
Studying Abroad - 5 Answers
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I would choose either France or Spain. Depends on what kind of culture you're most interested in. I myself am thinking about going to Spain for the summer and i couldn't be more excited about it! Besides, once you get there, traveling is super cheap. So even if you're in France, you could fly to Spain for a weekend for lik 50 bucks.
2 :
If I had to choose, Italy is the place to go out of the three. Be careful on answers ... there are paid recruiters from YFI and other companies who give advice looking to meet quotas on here.
3 :
Honestly any of those choices would be remarkable! When I study abroad I am choosing Paris, France. Can't get any better than that! Good luck picking, and enjoy!!
4 :
I studied in Italy and later traveled through France and Spain before I came back home. I would either do France or Italy for the majority of my time there. Spain is nice to see, but nothing as thrilling as the other two countries (besides Barcelona- that's a whole other story- I LOVED that city.)
5 :
Where you go is a highly personal question -- it depends on many factors including culture, language, education, etc. Is there a particular language you know or would like to learn? Is there a particular culture (food, customs, family relationships, etc.) that interests you? Would going to any particular country be helpful for your future career? What do your parents, teachers, friends, and others that know you say? Try checking out cultures-shocked.org too. Good luck to you!
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Monday, November 14, 2011
how do i host a foreign exchange student from Spain?
how do i host a foreign exchange student from Spain?
i am a sophomore in high school and i want to host a foreign exchange student from spain. The reason i want spain is because my family sometimes like to randomly shout things in spanish and that we are a bunch of rednecks from rural ohio and alot of my family (grandparents and brother who doesnt live with us) is kind of racist towards certain races of people. but they are fine wth eauropean nations. anyway. i want one from spain because we already kind of know spanish and i think spanish people are fascinating. hw do i ensure that the person is from spain
Studying Abroad - 3 Answers
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1 :
Ask for someone from Spain. If necessary, explain why.
2 :
try contacting rotary? i know they have programs that send exchange students, but i dont know if you choose... or you can google - host an exchange student
3 :
Hosting an exchange student is an incredible experience! My husband and I have hosted 5 students (none from Spain). I have to say that your reason for hosting is one that I've never heard before. How do you ensure that you'll get a student from Spain? By stating that you only want a student from Spain. If I may make a suggestion, though, limiting yourself to the one country may mean ending up with a student who is incompatible with your family and you should make a list of characteristics (interests, etc.) that are important. If you choose a student that is incompatible, the experience will be bad for you, the student, and the organization staff/volunteers that work with you. I would suggest starting to look for an organization with which to host by going to the Council for Standards on International Educational Travel website (http://getstarted.csiet.org/?fuseaction=app.host). CSIET audits programs for quality. As I mentioned, my husband and I have hosted 5 students. The first one was in '96-'97 with a program that no longer exists. While we couldn't have asked for a better girl to host, there were some areas in which the program needed improvement. When we were ready to host again ('06-'07), we called our school for some recommendations. They didn't have any. So we pulled up the CSIET list and started from there. We called at least a dozen organizations. We gave them the schools requirements, which includes having an organization representative in our city. None of the organizations had one. Many of them didn't seem to care that the school required one. Three programs said they would look for one. In the end, we signed up with Youth For Understanding (YFU). They found a representative (a woman who had gone on exchange with YFU in high school) and we liked her. Now we have hosted 4 students through YFU and I am a local representative (volunteer). Unfortunately, we are not in the same YFU District so I can not look to see if YFU has any students from Spain available in your area. If you call 1-866-4YFU-USA (1866-493-8872) you can be connected to your District Office and they can answer more questions that apply to your area. They will also contact your school to see if your school accepts exchange students and what the requirements are. Good luck to you! I hope you have a great experience.
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Monday, November 7, 2011
Aupair in Spain for 9 months which type of visa should I get?
Aupair in Spain for 9 months which type of visa should I get?
I am planning on being an aupair in spain for 9 months, and I need to have a visa. I will not be a full time student in spain to consider a student visa (although i will take a language class) and I do not have a source of income (like it suggests on the residents visa). I do not know if searching for a job to get a work visa is even probable. Any suggestions on what I should do?
Other - Spain - 3 Answers
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But...you HAVE a job, right? As an Au Pair? Doesn't the FAMILY sponsor you to get a visa?
2 :
Your question contradicts itself. It starts off saying you're going as an au pair, and finishes with you looking for work! If you're not from a European country, but from a country like the US, Canada, Australia etc you can visit Spain for 90 days as a tourist without a visa. To work in Spain you need to have a work visa organised before you travel, you cannot go there and look for work - that's highly illegal. To study in Spain you need to be accepted by a Spanish school or university first, then apply for a study visa. To work as an au pair you need to have a job organised first, and as an au pair it's better to do this through an agency, then apply to the Spanish Embassy in your country for a long stay visa and explain clearly that you will be working as an au pair. The agency should be able to help you with this.
3 :
This is an issue that the Au pair agency that you have found work through should help you with. You don't even tell us your nationality, which would also make a difference ... http://www.tumbit.com/how-to-guides/articles/120-au-pairs-in-spain.html
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I am planning on being an aupair in spain for 9 months, and I need to have a visa. I will not be a full time student in spain to consider a student visa (although i will take a language class) and I do not have a source of income (like it suggests on the residents visa). I do not know if searching for a job to get a work visa is even probable. Any suggestions on what I should do?
Other - Spain - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
But...you HAVE a job, right? As an Au Pair? Doesn't the FAMILY sponsor you to get a visa?
2 :
Your question contradicts itself. It starts off saying you're going as an au pair, and finishes with you looking for work! If you're not from a European country, but from a country like the US, Canada, Australia etc you can visit Spain for 90 days as a tourist without a visa. To work in Spain you need to have a work visa organised before you travel, you cannot go there and look for work - that's highly illegal. To study in Spain you need to be accepted by a Spanish school or university first, then apply for a study visa. To work as an au pair you need to have a job organised first, and as an au pair it's better to do this through an agency, then apply to the Spanish Embassy in your country for a long stay visa and explain clearly that you will be working as an au pair. The agency should be able to help you with this.
3 :
This is an issue that the Au pair agency that you have found work through should help you with. You don't even tell us your nationality, which would also make a difference ... http://www.tumbit.com/how-to-guides/articles/120-au-pairs-in-spain.html
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Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Student Visa (Spain) issues... HELP?
Student Visa (Spain) issues... HELP?
Okay heres the thing: I am trying to get to Spain on a student Visa. My program is flexible and I was supposed to start this weekend but I had some issues gathering documents for my visa application. Now I am ready to go to Miami but I am having some problems. First of all, The consulate has yet to answer my emails, calls, and contact forms. When I call them I have to go through a long list of recordings to get to an operator- and EVERY TIME it says that there is no one to answer my call and to call back later. I have to make an appointment with the consulate to apply- how can I make an appointment when no one will get back to me or answer my calls? Second- Like I said- My start date was Sept 5 but of course now I have to wait until later to go because of this visa thing. Is there anyone out there who knows if the school needs to send documents with a new start date? Or can I get by with having a different start date on the application? I have been really stressed out and ANY HELP or advice is greatly appreciated!
Studying Abroad - 1 Answers
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1 :
Hello Eurpean consulates do not believe in providing good service. It does not matter to them if anyone coming to their country or not. They are happy with themself. My Openion for you You do not need to book an appointment to submit your documents in consulate or embassy. Just go to the embassy in the morning at 9 a.m and submit your file. they will accept it. Secondly You are required to get extension letter from the school or college from spain . Ask them they will provide you extension letter with new course start date. make sure you submit your case atleast 30 days prior to your course start date. because these embassies takes alot of time in completing the visa process. Do not forget any documents otherwise they will reject your file. also fill your application form properly.
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Okay heres the thing: I am trying to get to Spain on a student Visa. My program is flexible and I was supposed to start this weekend but I had some issues gathering documents for my visa application. Now I am ready to go to Miami but I am having some problems. First of all, The consulate has yet to answer my emails, calls, and contact forms. When I call them I have to go through a long list of recordings to get to an operator- and EVERY TIME it says that there is no one to answer my call and to call back later. I have to make an appointment with the consulate to apply- how can I make an appointment when no one will get back to me or answer my calls? Second- Like I said- My start date was Sept 5 but of course now I have to wait until later to go because of this visa thing. Is there anyone out there who knows if the school needs to send documents with a new start date? Or can I get by with having a different start date on the application? I have been really stressed out and ANY HELP or advice is greatly appreciated!
Studying Abroad - 1 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Hello Eurpean consulates do not believe in providing good service. It does not matter to them if anyone coming to their country or not. They are happy with themself. My Openion for you You do not need to book an appointment to submit your documents in consulate or embassy. Just go to the embassy in the morning at 9 a.m and submit your file. they will accept it. Secondly You are required to get extension letter from the school or college from spain . Ask them they will provide you extension letter with new course start date. make sure you submit your case atleast 30 days prior to your course start date. because these embassies takes alot of time in completing the visa process. Do not forget any documents otherwise they will reject your file. also fill your application form properly.
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