Benefits Of Student Exchange Programs

976 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Advantage of studying abroad

An exchange student is a student that leaves his/her country for a foreign one for a year, where she/he usually learns a new language and experiences a new culture. Nowadays, there are more than 35 international exchange programs from which very many high school students benefit. For instance, each year, almost 13000 students travel on American Field Service Intercultural Programs between 65 countries (AFS, 2011). Unfortunately, the number of students who go on exchange is still relatively low, even if the benefits they receive are big. Because the age of 15-18 is the perfect period of time for going on an exchange [1], students discover a new culture and develop themselves [2], adults can have a new experience by taking a student into their family [3] and the students would be equal if they had the same opportunities and chances [4], I think that all high-school students should be required to fulfill one year abroad as exchange students. The perfect time to be an exchange student is while being a high school student. The group of students between the age of 15 and 18 is the one that seems to be the most able to naturally participate and adjust to the lifestyles and values of a foreign family and community (Youth For Understanding, 2013). At this age, teens are also more likely to want to try something new and the most effective way of doing it is to become an exchange student. This was the case for the famous Texan actor Matthew McConaughey, who spent a year on an exchange programme in Australia as a teenager: "I always had a wanderlust for travelling and I wanted to take a year off to go take an adventure, and it was," he has said of the experience (The Telegraph, 2011). In addition, in high school, students are not a... ... middle of paper ... ...rams and because if all the students had the same chances we would have a more democratic society, I strongly believe that all high school students should be required to fulfil one exchange year abroad. Works Cited AFS. (2008). Developmental Model for Intercultural Sensitivity …for friends of AFS; Long-Term Impact Study (2007-2008). New York: Milton, B., & Mitchell, H. AFS Intercultural Programs. (2011). AFS & Exchange Programs. Retrieved from AFS Intercultural Programs website: http://www.afs.org/afs-and-exchange-programs/ The Telegraph. (2011). Education, Celebrities who studied abroad. Retrieved from The Telegraph website: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/expateducation/9225920/Celebrities-who-studied-abroad.html?frame=2202935 Youth For Understanding. (2013). History. Retrieved from Youth For Understanding website: http://yfuusa.org/about-yfu/history.php

Show More
Related

  • Torn Between Two Cultures: Double Consciousness and the Protest Novel

    1893 Words  | 4 Pages

    Padilla, A. M. "Bicultural Social Development." Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences 28.4 (2006): 467-97. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences. Sage Journals, 9 Oct. 2006. Web. 18 Apr. 2014.

    Read More

  • Annotated Bibliography And Identotypes: Professor Pickens: Developmental Psychology

    2164 Words  | 5 Pages

    ...is a negative effect in the American orientation on adolescents. The also examined the indicators for adolescent adjustment, depression, and academic performance by looking at their test scores. These measures provided the view to the acculturation discrepancy hypothesis. The findings also supported that examining is needed specifically in the family as it serves as a mechanism to the relationship for family acculturation discrepancy.

    Read More

  • Aldridge International Scholarship

    705 Words  | 2 Pages

    As a multi-cultural Japanese and Chinese individual and an international student at MSU, I have had many experiences that enhanced my personal cultural awareness. Michigan State University embraces students with different cultural backgrounds and ethnicities. Here I am able to participate various events with people carrying different life stories. For example, I have worked as an intern with refugees in the Emergency Management Office of East Lansing via the MSU Global Internship Program. I volunteered in the Red Cedar International Elementary School for their “One world, many stories” program with families and children from more than 16 countries. I also conducted a survey titled “Family Resources for MSU international parents” supported by the MSU Family Resource Center. In addition, I advocated for international children living in Spartan Village so they could get a playroom. These experiences with a variety of cultures have made me a more caring and open person.

    Read More

  • Cultural Diversity in Public Schools: Closing the Gap

    1251 Words  | 3 Pages

    Manning, L. & Baruth. L. (2009). Multicultural education of children and adolescents (5th Ed.). Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

    Read More

  • The Concept of Culture in Counselling

    1541 Words  | 4 Pages

    5. Ponteroto J. et al.( 1995) (ed.) Handbook of Multicultural Counselling, Sage Publications Inc.: USA

    Read More

  • Multicultural Education int the United States

    1650 Words  | 4 Pages

    Manning, L. & Baruth. L. (2009). Multicultural education of children and adolescents (5th Ed.). Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

    Read More

  • Personal Reflective and Goal Setting Strategies

    956 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the following next six to twelve months, as a student, my short-term goal is to take exchange program which I could study in a foreign country in my last semester. Exchange students from different countries with multi-cultural backgrounds come together to study, which is a big challenge for me to communicate and work as a team based on a good understanding each other.

    Read More

  • Self-Categorisation Theory: Gaining A Personal And Personal Identity

    1581 Words  | 4 Pages

    Study abroad has facilitated a personal, transformational experience. Gaining a new perspective of the world and an insight to different culture has allowed for a new sense of self, which I have sustained since being home, and in turn have become more resilient to change. Exposure to a new cultural context created challenges that threatened aspects of my existing identity and created possibilities to discover parts of a new identity that I had previously not been in touch with.

    Read More

  • Emotions - Universal or A Learned Phenomenon

    1809 Words  | 4 Pages

    Shiraev, E., & Levy, D. (2007, 2004). Cross-Cultural Psychology (3th ed.) United States of America.

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay Gap Year

    1090 Words  | 3 Pages

    Standing out of the crowd is a great way to get attention for a good job or acceptance into a university. Taking a gap year to study abroad can open many doors and help teens become better equipped to identify and interact with people from other cultures. “With so many international experiences available, more than 80% of gap year students say their experiences make them more globally aware” (Salisbury). In an expanding business world, increased cultural awareness and even language skills will help future teens of the workforce be more successful in their careers.

    Read More

  • My Trip to Italy

    1022 Words  | 3 Pages

    My journey started when I came to the conclusion that, after high school, I wanted (and needed) a break. My senior year had been less than perfect, as I didn’t apply myself, was lazy, partied, and lost my parents’ trust and respect. I was a man without direction or a purpose, and knew that college would be just like high school but with more parties and less parental supervision. I quickly decided that instead of going straight to college, I would take a year off and participate in an exchange program. I’m part Italian, and I’ve always had a desire to trace my roots and to experience Italy and “la dolce vita” or “the sweet life.” When I signed the papers to go to Italy for the exchange program, I pictured myself lying in a hammock on a beach, surrounded by three...

    Read More

  • Social Psychology Reflection Paper

    1035 Words  | 3 Pages

    Culture is a powerful influence plays a big role in our interactions. Culture may also impact parenting style and a developing child. Having a strong sense of their own cultural history and the traditions associated with it helps children build a positive cultural identity for themselves. This also supports children’s sense of belonging and, by extension, their mental health and wellbeing. This class is crucial in understanding and working well parents, staff, and children. An effective educator understands how students’ cultures affect their perceptions, self-esteem, values, classroom behavior, and learning. As director, I need to use that understanding to help my students and staff feel welcomed, affirmed, respected, and valued. One way that I can do this is by using multicultural literature, especially children’s literature, to honor students’ culture and foster cross-cultural understanding. If cultural differences are not understood by teachers and management, it can lead to miscommunication and misunderstandings on both sides. It will be my job to do all I can to overcome both language and cultural differences to ensure a positive learning environment for

    Read More

  • Intercultural Communication: An Eveolving Discipline

    1868 Words  | 4 Pages

    Intercultural communication is an evolving discipline that occurs between individuals from contrasting backgrounds. It include...

    Read More

  • Cultural Sensitivity

    1969 Words  | 4 Pages

    Cultural sensitivity occurs when people recognize and are aware that each country or various ethnic groups of people have their own set of experiences, beliefs, values, and language that affect their perceptions toward life. Addressing Cultural sensitivity permits people to comprehend that there are differences between cultures. Furthermore, having awareness in the differences between cultures permits a culturally competent person to communicate effectively with others that are outside of one’s realm. Some of the differences of Cultural sensitivity can be discovered while traveling outside of the country, such as through Cross-cultural sensitivity experiences. Likewise, a culture has its own norms and beliefs to how one should dress; how one should greet others, such as by referring to a significant individual by his or her first name or surname (comprehending which name should be stated first in foreign names); and/or what foods are permitted to eat or forbidden to eat or understanding what may offend a person (e.g. not accepting a home cooked meal). There are norms, taboos, cultural cues, and cultural etiquette standards that are significant to learning about one’s culture before exploring another country or while working with people who are from your country but who are part of another racial group. It takes time and patience to build a high level of Cultural sensitivity. Educating oneself with a culture’s psychology and its norms is significant toward achieving an increasing awareness toward Cultural sensitivity.

    Read More

  • Essay On Parental Separation And Individuation

    1280 Words  | 3 Pages

    For newly arrived international students who are in their late adolescence developmental stage, the sources of acculturative stress often include academic pressures, language difficulties, feelings of inferiority, difficulties in adjusting to new food or cultural values, lack of support, perceived discrimination, and homesickness (Andrade, 2006). In addition, international students may experience little acceptance, tolerance, and understanding of their cultural practices by members of the host country, and in some cases, racial discrimination (Poyrazli & Lopez, 2007). It is also possible that international students themselves may be intolerant or discriminatory towards other international students or members of the host culture. These difficulties can contribute to international students’ loneliness, alienation, mistrust, powerlessness, and depression. Although members (e.g., new college students) of the host culture may be affected by such difficulties, the combination of acculturation stressors has been found to weigh more heavily on international students who have limited access to resources (Poyrazli & Lopez, 2007). Specifically, when experiencing acculturative stress, they may

    Read More

More about Benefits Of Student Exchange Programs

Open Document