Relocation Education

It is very important to be prepared for your Youth Exchange experience by having an open mind and being ready for anything. This was one of the first lessons I learnt from the moment I turned my back to my parents and walked through the security check at Sydney airport. I felt nervous yet exhilarated. I fed off the excitement of other exchange students as we travelled from Sydney to New Zealand and then on to Los Angeles. It was during my final flight across the United States to New York after saying goodbye to the last exchange student, that I realised for the first time that I was alone.

The first stage of an exchange can be summed up in one world; overwhelming. If you haven't properly prepared yourself you are going to be in for some serious culture shock! I believe that to some degree your survival instincts will kick in and your guard will go up. It will all happen so fast that it will leave your head cloudy and you will feel emotionally exhausted. Your senses will be heightened to take in your surroundings. It is important during this time to adjust to your new time zone and schedule as quickly as possible. If you are over tired it is just going to make everything that much harder to deal with. Nothing will look the same. Nothing will smell the same, not even the air outside. Food will taste different; do not expect to have your parents’ home cooked meals that you have eaten every night of your life sitting at the dinner table. Make sure you surround yourself with as many things that make you feel comfortable as possible. It might sound odd but even smelling your clothes might put you at ease since they should still smell like they've come straight out of your closet.

Be open minded, friendly and stay true to yourself. Embrace everything and don’t compare it to home. ‘It will be easy’ said no one ever! You will learn quickly to trust your instincts and believe in yourself. An exchange is an experience that will allow you to challenge yourself, build character and overall it will allow you to understand who YOU are, so stay positive and enjoy every moment of it. You have the world at your fingertips...

Good luck! J

 

Anne Fox. 2008. Absolutely Intercultural. [ONLINE] Available at: <http://www.absolutely-intercultural.com/?p=116">http://www.absolutely-intercultural.com/?p=116</a></u>. [Accessed 31 October 12].

It has been a while...

When I created my blog almost a year and 10 months ago it was titled emmainamerica2011 and its sole purpose was to keep my friends and family up to date on my 12 months youth exchange journey. After that first post I was overwhelmed with the emotional rollercoaster I had strapped myself into after boarding the airplane with my final destination being Peekskill, New York. I found it less time consuming to simply post short statuses or pictures on Facebook instead. It is now that I look back on my exchange and wish that I had of found time to properly keep a blog journal.

My exchange was the most incredible experience that ended just as quickly as it had begun. I find myself trying to relive it in any way possible; through souvenirs and photos that I hold dearly as I fear that one day every memory of my year on exchange would be lost forever. I have decided that I could now use this blog forum to impart my knowledge and tips from my personal experiences to help other people who are interested or about to depart on their own incredible journey as a foreign exchange student. There is so much that this world has to offer that will broaden ones horizons and open their eyes to unlimited opportunities. I encourage anyone and everyone to travel and explore the far reaches of our Earth.

Remember that an exchange isn’t a year in your life but a life in a year.

Welcome to Youth Exchange 101.

Enjoy! :)