The Exchange Student Survival Guidebook @exchangesurvivalguide - Tumblr Blog

Exchange student orientations and trips (if you can make them) can be a lot of fun.

You might never again find yourself in a room with people from so many countries again in your life. Take it all in and don't isolate yourself with the people from your home country. People may have a prejudice view of your country, even if they are an exchange student, but you can help them to see you and your country differently.

#S #editted by A #orientations #exchange students #exchange programs #study abroad

So sorry for the drop in posting!

My computer has been having a lot of technical difficulties so I hope you all understand...

Every new person you meet is a new universe, a chance to learn and grow.

Enjoy having so many opportunities to explore so many universes.

#S #friends are universes #making friends #study abroad #exchange programs

If you can't remember someone's name even though you've just spent an hour/a class/a day together,

if you end up exchanging numbers or decide to become friends on Facebook/social media platform, ask them how they spell their name. If it turns out to be a really simple spelling, you can just make the excuse that you've met people who spell it differently.

#A #pro tip #this works in college as well #exchanging numbers #making friends #study abroad #exchange programs

It's okay if you can't remember everyone's names.

You'll be meeting a lot of people so don't feel shy if you have to ask them more than one time.

#S #editted by A #making friends #personal relationships #host family relations #exchange programs #study abroad #school

On the first day of school, introduce yourself to the whole class if you can, and maybe even the whole school

As terrifying as it may be, it can help get people interested in you. Practice your public speaking skills and explain who you are, where you are from, and why you are there. If you haven't learned your country's language or it's too difficult, at least be comfortable saying it in English. Just get all of the introductions done as soon as you can.

#S #editted by A #introducing yourself #learning the language #making friends #exchange programs #study abroad

Not all of the answers to your questions will be here.

You'll have to answer some of them by yourself.

#S #the hard truth #living is learning #exchange programs #study abroad

If you are a girl, know that you will probably have to double the caution you take while living abroad.

Research the country you are going to and ask locals about how safe it is to be alone at night (and during the day sometimes as well). Realize potential dangerous situations ahead of time and take the necessary precautions. If you are in danger or lost, have a plan and ask for help.

#S #editted by A #Be Safe #safety measures #exchange programs #study abroad

Get to know the public transportation system in your area, if there is one.

It is super helpful in that it makes you more independent and your host family has to haul you around less.

#S #public transportation #host family relations #exchange programs #study abroad

Buy a guidebook for the area you are in and make a checklist of things you want to see early in the year.

Get to know your area and the treasures around the corner. Having a map of where you live (even if you look weird) helps, too.

#S #map your neighborhood #or get a tourist map #exchange programs #study abroad

Get a cell phone that works in whatever country you are in.

Buying one there is usually easy and data plans can be expensive if you bring your smartphone. It will help a lot in making friends and up-ing your social life. As much as it does cost, it's worth it. It's also safer.

#S #cell phone positive #exchange programs #study abroad

Be positive.

Make the proactive effort to cleanse yourself of negative thoughts and plant positive ones in their place. It will make all the difference in how your year goes.

#S #be positive #look on the bright side #study abroad #exchange programs

When/if you feel the urge to cry, stop caring about other people's opinions of you and let the tears flow.

It's healthy to release that negative energy.

#S #When It Rains #sad times #exchange programs #study abroad

Holidays are hard and it's normal to feel a little, even a lot, homesick.

Try to focus on the fact that you can have these holidays the way you love them back home for the rest of your life, but that few people get to experience a holiday abroad. So as yucky as you may feel, you still have to admit that you're lucky.

#S #holidays abroad #exchange programs #study abroad

Even if you don't share the same religion as your host family or friends, try participating in at least one of their religious ceremonies.

You might find it fascinating.

#S #different religions same world #you might now be able to experience this in your home country #exchange programs #study abroad

Bored?

Listen to music

Meditate

Read

zzzzzzz (sleep)

Meditate

Cook something yummy

Watch a movie/TV... NOT in your native language

Hang out with your host family

Call up a friend/text

Read the news

Take random pictures

Have fun being bored

Play card games

Exercise

Paint your nails

Write a letter/ in your diary/ something

Clean your room

Do homework... if you have any.

#S #ideas for when you're bored #exchange programs #study abroad #this also works for real life

Don't expect anyone to understand you because chances are no one will fully get you.

Instead, look for people that accept you as you are, even if they might not get you either. Accept them in return.

#S #making friends #personal relationships #accept people #exchange programs #study abroad #who knows you may make friends for life

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The Exchange Student Survival Guidebook