Despite Decrease, Germany Still No. 1 Country Sending High School Exchange Students to US

During the last few years, the ratio of German exchange students going to the US has slightly decreased. Compared to the 2003-2004 school year when the ratio of attending students was 8.483, it was “only” 6.746 this year. This is most likely do to the fact that the German school system has changed and is one year shorter now. For this reason it is harder for the students to miss one year of school in Germany.

Most students spent their year abroad in 11^th grade, whereas most of the current students do their exchange during 10^th grade, because they cannot miss 11^th grade anymore. Some might feel too young to stay away for such a long time now and others may just be afraid to miss one year of school, because the subjects being taught are still the same as in the old system and the students simply have to learn everything in a shorter period.

Despite this decrease, Germany is still by far the number one country sending high school students to the US, leaving China in second place with a ratio of 2.253 exchange students this year. But why is this?

In Germany, the USA is very popular. Everyone listens to American music, watches American movies and English is taught beginning in 4^th grade. Also, German TV shows show German students going abroad and experiencing their own “High School Spirit”. The food is different, everything is bigger than in Germany and there is just so much to see! Schools offer much more, like a big variety of extracurricular clubs, sports and performing arts opportunities, which do not really exist in Germany. The girls are excited for all the dances like Homecoming and Prom, but the students in general are just excited to take different subjects than back in Germany, like sewing, a different foreign language or cooking.

Former exchange students come home and tell their friends about their stay and everything they have experienced, which will make their friends want to go too.

It is a great opportunity to improve one’s English skills and also to experience a different culture and lifestyle. Additionally, it has academic and professional benefits - former exchange students will have more opportunities in university to expand on their experiences, as well as in their future careers. 

-- Sarah Wondratschek

Welcome Sarah!

Hi, my name is Sarah and I am 22. I am from Germany and study at the University of Mannheim in my 5^th semester right now. My majors are English literature and German.

Back in Germany I work for an exchange student organization called “HiCo Education”. At HiCo I mostly write high school profiles, translate the application forms for the parents, send and explain the student’s report cards to their parents and work on all the preparations for the student’s prep meeting, which is about a month before the students leave for their exchange program.

I am doing my internship at “Quest International”, because I am very interested in seeing the whole process from the other side, how host families are found and picked, but also how the whole application process is done here. I hope I will learn a lot new and gain experiences.

I used to be an exchange student in 2007 in Ottawa, IL. It was an unforgettable experience and I wouldn’t have done it any different. I met a lot of great people and even do have a second family now, who I visit as often as possible.

Traveling is something that I love and I have been to different countries and experienced different cultures. I am always open to anything new and love going to concerts and festivals. Shopping is something I really love, but not as much as sushi!

I am very excited about spending my summer in San Francisco and working at Quest International!

Key Suggestions for Developing a Successful Homestay Program at Your School

With an influx in the number of exchange students entering the US on an F-1 visa, schools are increasingly realizing the need to develop homestay programs.  Hosting an exchange student can bring a lifetime of benefits for an American family seeking an international experience in their own home.  Below are a few key suggestions on how to find and attract host families – both in your schools and in your communities – who are best suited for the nuanced experience of hosting an international student.

1.Exchange students are teenagers.There is no way around this.

  

Shayna Ferullo
F-1 Program Director
Quest International

Make sure the family has realistic expectations about the hosting experience.  We often receive applications where the family thinks they will receive a fairy from Spain who will teach them how to speak Spanish and how to cook paella.  While intercultural exchange is certainly part of the experience, host families need to know that they are hosting a teenager.  That means: rolling eyes, sighs of annoyance, forgetfulness and disobedience (especially related to chores), and disrespect at times. Families that have lived through the teenage years with their own children will know what to expect, while other families may need a reminder.




2. A stipend should never be treated as income.

We appreciate that, for F-1 students, we can offer a stipend to offset the sometimes large costs of hosting.  That said, families that are motivated to host by the idea of earning a few bucks are not suitable to host. During the screening process, it should be stated, and then restated – 200 times – that the stipend is a gesture of gratitude and cannot be counted on as income.  Stipends should be high enough to be considered a true gesture of gratitude, but low enough so that it does not entice money-motivated host family applicants.

3. School families often times make the best families.  But not always.

We love when our students are placed in families that either have children attending the school or are affiliated with the school. This arrangement is often preferred because our exchange students will be connected to school events. However, this is not always the best arrangement for the international student.  We have seen such placements go sour – and be awkward, at best. Don’t discount prospective host parents that may apply from outside of the school community, especially if they share similar interests as the exchange student or have another (albeit loose) connection to your school.

Do you have a successful homestay population in your school? Interested in starting one at your school or in your greater community?  Share your ideas, thoughts, and comments here.

International Youth Exchange 2010-2011

Becoming an exchange student opens up your eyes

I think that becoming an exchange student is a wonderful opportunity to explore a new culture, language, and people. I am from Tunisia and have had the chance to study in France and the United-States. These experiences have really made a difference in my life. 
Living in France was a wonderful experience in terms of exploring the country's history, art, gastronomy and architecture. Paris is one of the most amazing cities I have ever lived in. It is just a fascinating and vibrating city with so many people from different cultures. An amazing feeling I had there was when I would walk these thousands years old Parisian streets, where you could feel that history has really shaped everything surrounding you. All the people I met there enriched my social experience and made me more tolerant.
Living in the United States has also been a great experience, I have lived in San Francisco, California for 4 years now. This city has similarities with Paris in terms of cultural diversity. Its hippy culture is one of the most interesting things I have discovered and the people are so open-minded, even more than in Paris.
Living abroad can be difficult but it can really open your eyes. For instance, leaving my parents made me realize how much I love and care about them. It has also made me stronger and more mature.
Overall, no matter where you choose to study abroad, you will always learn many things about the other's culture in which you live. You will become more independent, tolerant, and more appreciative of what you have and what life gave you.


Written by: Taysir El Abed

Quest Hangs with Students and Their Families!

Getting to know our exchange students is what Quest is all about! We want to make sure that we engage with all of our students and ensure they are having a great experience studying in the U.S. This week, we checked in with student Su Hwan Kim and his dad Sung Lee. What a great time!

Sung Li with Quest team members Shayna, Katie and Eric.

Tips for Making Friends in the U.S.

Americans are extremely friendly people. They are outgoing, polite, will say hello when they meet someone new, and will always ask you how you are doing... However, it is sometimes confusing for foreigners to understand that people in the U.S. seem so friendly up front when you are not actually close with them. Often, foreigners may think that Americans can be superficial in their interactions, but this is not the case at all! Initial friendliness or inquiry about your day is just the American way of being polite or saying hello, even if it does not always indicate a deeper connection. In the U.S., people often use the phrase "being acquaintances" to describe this sort of interaction with people you know but not very well. An acquaintance is someone you have literally just "become acquainted with". You probably see them in your daily day and they will always greet you, but they have not yet become a genuine friend of yours. In the school setting, acquaintances often form because of the fact that throughout a day, students in American schools will be in many different classes with entirely different groups of people all day long, so it is important to be friendly with all the people around you, but it is nearly impossible to become friends with everyone. In America, if you would like to make a new friend and really get to know someone, you just have to be assertive about it. Putting in the effort to build a close relationship with them is something you will never regret!