Should we host a male foreign exchange student from Germany?
We are considering hosting a male exchange student from Germany for one month. Has anyone done this? What are the pros and cons? We have two teen males and one grade school age girl in our home. The student would have to share a room with a 12 year old or 14 year old. How do we know if this will work out?
Studying Abroad - 2 Answers
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1 :
The simple truth is that you won't. The best advise that I can offer is to talk to your children, explain to them what will happen and ask them their thoughts and opinions and ask them if that will be okay with them since even though you are the parent and the adult, it is them who in the end will be 'put out' by having to share a room - so make sure they are comfortable. If you are wondering if everyone will get along, then that you will just never know, all I can suggest is that you read up on everything that is involved and try to learn as much as you can about his country and culture and try to make him feel at home as possible, making for as smooth a transition as you can. I am sure more people with more experience than I about hosting exchange students will be along shortly to offer you better advise.
2 :
Only if you are all very keen on the idea and even then it might be quite tricky. Is he the same age as one of your children or older? I would not take him at all if he is a lot older or a lot younger. He probably won't want to share a room with a younger kid either. Will he be going to school with your kids? You need to find out a bit - can he get by in English (usually Germans are very good) and if not who speaks enough German in your family? I have done many exchanges myself and hosted others and they have all been worthwhile but on one occasion I was dumped in a family whose child my age was training for Olympics. I never saw her. I went to her school but she was always in the pool morning, noon and night miles away. The family were quite kind but it was incredibly dull for me. They didn't take me out, transport me to other kids houses , show me the sights - I was so keen to come home and thank goodness she never bothered to come back to us (too busy swimming). However difficult it is for your family and how ever different he turns out to be they have to commit to total patience. It's always worse to be the one alone in a strange situation using a second language. Lay down the house rules on day 1 and do not deviate. What will he do in the way of chores? When is he to be in by? What does he and doesn't he eat? Let you know if he is not going to be in for a meal etc etc. Computer use and rules. What outings are you planning - give him input and pencil them into the calendar? I would expect some attempt from whoever is organising this to match the student's interests to those of your family. It is much better if he can do stuff with some of you successfully. There will be friction if you have very different belief systems and interests.
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