blog1.4voychuk

A **student exchange program** is a program in which a [|student], typically in [|secondary] or [|higher education], chooses to live in a foreign country to learn, among other things, language and culture. These programs are sometimes called 'exchanges' because different countries participating in the program will trade off students in this fashion. The students live with a host [|family], who are usually unpaid volunteers and often have a child the same age who has also participated (or is going to participate) in a similar exchange program. Host families are usually vetted by the organization co-ordinating the program. Student exchanges became popular after [|World War II], and have the aim of helping to increase the participants' [|understanding] and [|tolerance] of other [|cultures], as well as improving their language skills and broadening their social horizons. An exchange student typically stays in the host country for a relatively short period of time, often 6 to 10 months, in contrast to [|international students] or those on [|study abroad] programs which often last for several years. These programs are available from a number of service-oriented organizations, such as World Education Program (WEP) Australia, [|Rotary International]'s [|Rotary Youth Exchange], EF Foundation for Foreign Study, [|AFS], [|AIFS's Academic Year In America], New Zealand Institute of International Understanding (NZIIU) and [|Youth For Understanding], which offer some of the more popular programs. Other organizations such as the [|Kiwanis] or [|Lions Clubs] offer similar programs. Some exchange programs are considered [|study abroad] programs if academic credit is available. During their year abroad students are expected to study in school and participate fully in the foreign culture. This includes taking up hobbies and after school activities in their host country. They are often encouraged to make non-exchange student friends in their host country. Exchange students may have rules that encourage or require abstinence from substances including drugs and alcohol, dating and driving for insurance reasons. Also travel can be restricted for student's safety, although some programs offer tours throughout and at the end of the exchange. Students are encouraged to travel with their host families. Depending on the U.S. organization and the circumstances, when students violate a rule they may be sent home. The benefits of doing a student exchange may include, but are not limited to the following: Gaining independence, gaining a sense of responsibility and purpose, first hand knowledge of another culture, exploring differences between countries, understanding traditions and taboos, learning more about one's self, friends and family, a better understanding of homeland, building connections between countries, learning a foreign language, discovering abilities and limitations. Often, exchange students are underestimated for their abilities.