Norms of an exchange student

Let's step into the shoes of an exchange student

I've always been on the other side of an exchange student experience. It's either I've hosted one or I've met one at school. I never really knew how it felt to be an exchange student. I just thought they were the same as all of us, just living in a new place for a school year.

Now that I am an exchange student there has been things I've noticed that we experience. Have you ever seen an exchange student upset or get really frustrated at a person? If you have then tell me what happened, but I have never seen an exchange student get mad. I feel like exchange students aren't allowed to express negative feelings or even sad feelings. We're seen as people who are always happy. People see us as kids who have an amazing opportunity to go study in a foreign country. Yes, this is an amazing opportunity, but why are we not allowed to dislike certain things or get upset at our host family for doing something that you didn't like? Does that make us ungrateful that we get upset and want to show our frustration?

I feel like this sometimes. Not being able to express my feelings because people see it as, "Wow the exchange student is upset”. It's hard for me to keep things in, but I sense I have to or people will stop talking to me. People can easily stop talking to exchange students, they already have friends and it's easy to cut someone off. Especially when the exchange student is only there for a year.

My advice to exchange students

​My advice to everyone who knows an exchange student

This experience is for a year, and it's your experience. You're allowed to feel negative feelings. If people see that as a flaw, then you're not meant to be friends with them. Don't create a void full of anger, if someone is being annoying or your host family has done something you don't like, tell them. It's better to be honest than to hold grudges.

It's hard to be away from your family. Put yourself in our shoes. If you don't treat an exchange student like you do with your other friends, then stop leading us on. It's hard for us to stand up for ourselves. We feel like we don't have the support. If you have done something wrong, apologize. If you see an exchange student struggling, help them. You can also tell them “I’m glad that you're here”. It helps to know you have support.

I hope this helps both exchange students and the people surrounding them