Tuesday, September 28, 2010

I am interested in being a foreign exchange student in Germany, can you help me?

I am interested in being a foreign exchange student in Germany, can you help me?
Hi, I am nearly 14 and almost done with German 1. I will take German 2 next school year, and I really want to go to Germany and be an exchange student for either a year or a semester. My German teacher said that there is little to no fees except for personal costs, like food and such. Who do I need to contact to do this, and can you share your experiences if you have ever been a foreign exchange student, anywhere? Thanks so much! :]
Studying Abroad - 3 Answers
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1 :
Try here:
2 :
Pleeeeeaase do NOT go with Two Worlds United. Bad, bad idea. There's many sites about how terrible they are, an example being here: http://www.myexperiencewithtwoworldsunited.com Now. The safest, most reliable programs are AFS, YFU, ASSE, and Rotary. There are fees with every program. In fact, it's the other way around. You do not pay for meals or a home. It depends on where you're from and where you're going. Assuming you're from the US, a year in Germany with AFS would run you $9,900. However, AFS offers the Congress-Bundestag full scholarship. If you applied for this and won, you'd have to pay for nothing, except, say, if you wanted to go shopping for clothes, you'd have to pay for that yourself (unless your host family was feeling extra generous). Your program would find you a host family (the host family receives no money from the program) in Germany. This host family would be required to provide you with a roof, a bed, meals, etc. They would also be required to include you in family activities/events, e.g. They could not go out and have a picnic and leave you at home. Now, back to the programs in general, AFS, YFU, and ASSE tend to be on the expensive side. They all offer the Congress-Bundestag scholarship, though (I think...). Rotary is much more affordable, but not many people get their first choice as they prefer to send students to places where they will be unfamiliar with the language. Personally, I think you're just better off applying for Congress-Bundestag with AFS. Of course, any other program could work, but AFS has been around for the longest. If you have any more questions, feel free to contact me through my profile. ^_^
3 :
I'm afraid your teacher is mistaken! Exchange programs typically cost between $6,000 and $10,000, plus expenses. The only thing I can think of is that your teacher was thinking of the CBYX program, the ONLY free exchange program, but it is a very competitive scholarship. If this is what she meant, she should have information about the program. I was a CBYX participant in high school and I highly recommend it! (the 2nd "cheapest" option is Rotary, which is a partial scholarship and also very competitive b/c you're up against people who want to go all over the world -- CBYX is Germany only) Go to the CBYX website and find the company that recruits for your area of the country: http://www.usagermanyscholarship.org/ (I was Southeast, and my organization was CIEE). CBYX is also on Facebook, though it is mostly alumni groups/groups of students there this year/going next year -- but you can see from the groups how close we all are! The applications period is in the fall -- it will become available via mail and on the website in September or October, and be due in December. It's just like a college application :) You'll need stellar grades and two teacher recommendations. German is actually not a requirement for Congress Bundestag, so you'll be ahead of the pack. Some states are more competitive than others. If you become a semi-finalist, you will have an in-person interview in February or March, and be notified of whether or not you got the scholarship in late March or early April. You're thinking years ahead, which is great. Doing a program like this requires planning. Set up your class schedule next semester with the idea in your mind that you may not be there for your junior year -- take advanced classes, and know that you may have to either repeat a year, or cram junior & senior classes into your senior year in order to graduate on time. Talk to your guidance counselor ASAP about how going abroad for the year will impact your high school graduation schedule. You CAN go on this program once you've graduated, if you can wait that long. Many people do it right after they graduate, inbetween high school and college. (but you always run the risk of not getting the program if you wait) Good luck! It's very atypical of Americans to study abroad in high school, and it will really set you apart as you apply for college. I got a full scholarship to a top school, but I missed out on a lot of high school stuff, too. It was worth it :) I am still friends with people I went to Germany with, and now I work in the exchange industry. (and, of course, my apologies if I assumed American and you're not. In that case, go with Rotary, as CBYX is Americans to Germany and vice versa only :D) Feel free to message me with any questions!

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Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Visa for student exchange program in Germany?

Visa for student exchange program in Germany?
I am an Indian student , who is planning to come to Germany for a student exchange program in sep 2009(for 3 months). What is the procedure to obtain the spouse visa for the same ? How long does it take to obtain the visa for 1. Student 2. Dependant(spouse) ?
Other - Europe - 1 Answers
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1 :
State department.



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Tuesday, September 7, 2010

As a holder of student visa for Germany can I enter the country via. Luxembourg or Czech Republic?

As a holder of student visa for Germany can I enter the country via. Luxembourg or Czech Republic?
Am I meant to land on Germany as my first destination to Europe if I'm Germany's student visa holder? Can't I enter Germany later via. Luxembourg if I'm granted tourist visa for Luxembourg? What's wrong with that?
Other - Europe - 2 Answers
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1 :
I don't know to which previous question asked you are referring, but they don't make much sense. You can't be granted a tourist visa for Luxembourg and a student visa for Germany simultaneously; that does not comply with Schengen rules..
2 :
Due to I guess, it's a Schnegen - Visa, you can enter through Schangen countries:

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Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Which country would you rather be a foreign exchange student in, Germany or Japan?

Which country would you rather be a foreign exchange student in, Germany or Japan?
I can either be a foreign exchange student in Germany or Japan. Which one should I pick? I can speak German and Japanese both fluently, but which country is better in terms of economic status, education, safety, crime, etc.? Which one would you rather stay and attend school in?
Other - Europe - 5 Answers
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1 :
I would choose Japan. I took japanese in high school and am a huge fan of almost everything Japanese! Japan's crime rate is not as high and people are so laid back and very respectful. I was there 2 years ago and ache to go back. There is so much to do and see. Good luck and have fun!
2 :
Here's something to consider: the food. I know a girl who was an exchange student in Japan, but didn't like seafood. Where she was, they had fish constantly. She lived off of Rice Krispies for a while. Of course, you might be in a different part of Japan if you go there. I think both countries might be similar in the other things you mention, but I'm not sure. Crime is more about staying out of bad areas, especially in cities, no matter where you are. Japan might be ahead in education, but again I'm not positive. Don't bring up World War II in either country.
3 :
Go to Germany. Great schools and lovely atmosphere.
4 :
GERMANY. hands down.
5 :
JAPAN - No question about it...

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