Preparing for a student exchange is an exciting journey filled with opportunities to step outside your comfort zone, embrace new cultures, build lifelong friendships, and embark on unforgettable adventures. While the experience is exhilarating, it can also feel overwhelming when faced with choosing the right program, destination, and preparing for life abroad.
That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive guide to help you feel confident and ready every step of the way. With insights and advice from former exchange students, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know – from preparing mentally to packing essentials and settling into your new home away from home.
Preparing mentally and emotionally for your student exchange
Your mindset going into a student experience will help you adjust successfully. It takes time to adjust to new surroundings, routines, and expectations. Be patient as you navigate this transition.
Things may not always go as planned. School schedules, cultural customs, or even daily routines can be quite different in another country. Being adaptable will help you stay calm and confident in unfamiliar situations.
Journaling can help you process the thoughts and emotions you experience on your student exchange. Write about what excites you, what worries you, and what you’re learning about yourself on this journey. Set personal goals to motivate yourself, like having one conversation daily to improve your fluency in the local language.
What to pack and what to leave behind
Familiarise yourself with the airline’s luggage guidelines and international regulations, read our guide for more information on this. We recommend you include these essentials when packing for your exchange:
- Passport, Visa and other essential documents – print copies and have electronic versions you can access if needed. Include birth certificate, host family details, travel authorisation, medical and travel insurance, emergency contacts, itinerary, tickets, etc.
- Wallet with some local currency and your debit cards that will allow you to access cash overseas
- Phone, headphones, charger, power bank and adaptors
- Eye Mask/Ear plugs – to help you get some sleep
- Pen – to complete any immigration and customs forms
- Eyewear – including contact lens solution if required
- Personal care items – moisturising eye drops, face wipes, lip balm, moisturiser, toothbrush etc
- Essential medication – inhalers, other regular medication, paracetamol
- Hand sanitiser
We also have a full list of what to pack and leave behind in our Student Handbook, as well as tips on packing for your destination.
Navigating culture shock and how to adapt quickly
Everyone experiences culture shock when they’re faced with a culture that is significantly different than what you’re used to. There are four stages of culture shock:
Honeymoon stage
When you first arrive in your host country, everything feels exciting and new. Use this energy to develop connections with your host family, make new friends and learn about the local culture. Start practising your language skills so that you can become more fluent.
Frustration stage
The differences in culture, language or routines may start to feel overwhelming. You might notice yourself comparing local customs to how things are done at home, and start to reminisce about your life in Australia. This is the most difficult stage! Communicate openly with your host family and keep practising the local language, even if you feel like withdrawing.
Adjustment stage
After a couple of months, you will start to feel familiar with your new life and routine. Your grasp of the language is better, you are getting comfortable with cultural differences that seemed annoying and you have even made good friends!
Acceptance stage
You finally feel like you’re at home in your host country. You have a good support system through your host family and local friends, and you’re getting fluent in the local language! You might still feel homesick occasionally, but you know that you can turn to your host family or local coordinator for support.
Communicating with family back home
We understand that you might want to stay connected with your family and friends back home. Apps like Whatsapp, Zoom or email make it easy to do this, just remember that as a minor living in a foreign country, your host family is responsible for you and they have a duty of care toward you.
Spend time with your host family so that you immerse yourself in the local culture and make the most of your overseas exchange experience. You may even have the opportunity to travel with your host family on holidays or weekend trips, or on a school excursion, so you can discover more about the local culture.
How to become an exchange student with Students of the World
Follow our simple 5-step application process to become an exchange student with us. We have more information on what we look for in our applications on our website.
- Express your interest online through our enquiry form
- Interview over the phone or in-person with you and your parent/guardian to get to know you and why you’re motivated to go on exchange. You will be able to ask us any questions that you have about the student exchange too!
- Complete your application after the interview. We will review it and contact you for any additional information we need
- Once you’ve been accepted, we will notify you and our overseas partner will look for a suitable host family and school for you. You will be able to pay with a payment plan, with full payment made 60 days before departure.
- Before departure, you’ll have the opportunity to ask any last-minute questions in a pre-departure briefing with your parent/guardian
Why Choose Students of the World for your next international student exchange?
For over 20 years, our students have travelled the world learning new languages, attended local schools, and participated in unique cultural and social events. We have a helpful, friendly and knowledgeable team who provide you with individual advice and support for a rich and rewarding student exchange experience. While abroad, our international partners provide students with the same high standard of support and care for which we are renowned.
Students have 24/7 support during their stay in the host country and assigned a local coordinator who they are free to contact at any time to discuss any issues or concerns. All coordinators are trained and can take immediate action should any serious issues occur – you can learn more about our Safety Commitment here.
If you’re ready to start your student exchange experience abroad, register your interest in our upcoming info sessions.