Overseas Exchange Students

[Kiwi Phil]

Any families here been involved in Overseas Student Exchange programs, as either a parent whose kid has gone to another country, or as a family who has had a kid from another country live with them.

My young bloke wanted to apply to be an exchange student last year but has given the idea away for now, wanting us to host an exchange student.

Any experiences among anyone?

Cheers
Phillip

PS...you got to be at school remember!!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Overseas Exchange Students

i have not done it personally, but have friends who have.
you do not get a chopse the student, you take what they give you. some are great, some come with a lot of emotional baggage. it is almost like fostering a child, you never know what you are getting.

 

[paulspaddle]

Re: Overseas Exchange Students

I have friends who have had students for years. Not as an exchange, but board and room for international students. They did it initially as a way to supplement their income, but that grew into an enjoyment and appreciation of exposing their own children to another culture in this fashion.

Some have been complete duds. Our friends spending a lot of time trying to keep them somewhat under control as they explored 'Canadian culture'.

Others have been outlandishly generous and grateful. Staying in touch, being invited to weddings, always sending over the top gifts for the kids birthdays and Christmas.

They did it for 10 years and I would say their response to your question would be ask yourself about your own tolerances. Like any child you have to take the good with the bad, but all 'n all they've had more positive experiences than bad.

A personal opinion: I value the experience of exposing my child to another culture. (he's three so we're not exactly 'there' yet) Not just emphasizing Geography class or taking him to cultural events locally. Hopefully we can encourage and support him to get out of a North American 'comfort zone' (if he has one) and travel abroad. As a parent I'm terrified at the thought of letting him go anywhere in a dozen or so years, but I know how traveling has affected my own life and would want the same for him.

 

[QC]

Re: Overseas Exchange Students

You can have my 14 YO Phil. You don't even have to make him go to school if you don't want . . . Or maybe better. How 'bout I just come and I'll act like a kid? Hayden and I could get in all kinds of trouble together. Maybe start a band and we'll turn one of your green houses into a studio.

 

[tommays]

Re: Overseas Exchange Students

My daughter (between 14 and 17 years old) lived with 2 host familys over a 3 year time frame while in a ballet company


1.Best time was year 2 she lived and 18 year old fellow student and they were much better adults than the adults

2.LOT OF STRANGE families and CHILDREN most of which does not show up in the short term

3.The STRANGE families and CHILDREN did teach here a lot about STRANGE which is good in usefull in here current field of social work

22 now lived through it ok