Saturday, January 14, 2012
What are some good arguments for me to go to Germany as a foreign exchange student?
What are some good arguments for me to go to Germany as a foreign exchange student?
my parents are really strict.... what are some reasons i could give them about why i should go, and that i would be safe there and its beneficial for meeee.....?
Other - Family & Relationships - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Well no matter what, you are always in danger, even in what is considered a safe area. But don't let them know that. As for good arguments, you would learn a different culture and language and meet new people. You could also add that you would call them every day and keep them up to date on everything.
2 :
If your planning to go to college, tell them about how colleges tend to love you if you do a foreign exchange program, so you have a better chance of getting in. Do a lot of research on the company you want to go with, and show it to them, they'll see that your serious about wanting to go. Also, maybe tell them about the cultural benefits. Being exposed to different cultures will give you a whole new outlook on life. :)
3 :
I think arguing with parents is never easy. It may depend on what you intend to do here (here = I am a German from Munich). As you want to come here as a student one argument could simply be: money. German university education is free or very cheap and still very good. However, be prepared to discuss the bad exchange rate of the USD. Regarding safety: Germany is one of the safer places in the world. If I remember right there are about 50 murders per 100000 citizens per year in washington DC (search yourself), the most violent town in Germany should not make 10% of this. Within the last 30 years only one police officer was killed performing his duties in Munich. Your chances to become a victim of violence are in the US higher than in Germany. Check the Transparency Internationl Corruption Perception Index. The 2006-Index places Germany on position 16 of the least corrupt countries (best is Finland) but the US on place 20. Safety is no concern. You can present objective figures, clear numbers, any statistic you find will prove that life in Germany is usually less violent and safer than in the USA. The health system here is one of the best in the world. As a student you must have an (affordable) health insurance and you will enjoy all benefits of the system. So, do not forget to visit the dentist before you return home ;-) Why will it be beneficial for you? We Germans like travelling and we have a saying that travelling broadens the horizon, or literally "reisen bildet" - "travelling educates". It is never wrong to get insight into another culture and learn another language. If you consider working for an international company you will have later an advantage in your carreer. Here in Germany it is meanwhile expected that students spend some time in another country. If your parents want you to be part of the intellectual elite of the USA they should think about if they really can afford it to let you not go to another place. I think it will also be beneficial because you take a big challange. You are young, this is probably the biggest challange so far in your life. You go to another country where you do not speak the language (or at least not fluent), you will be alone in the beginning, you will have to master all the small and big problems from ordering something in a restaurant to finding an apartment. You will grow as a character you never can if you stay at home where you are. If you look back to the US history you will find a lot of German migration to the USA. Basically this means that a part of the US culture has roots in Germany. Maybe you will get a better understanding of your own culture after some time here. Hope this helps.
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