This is a look at what it’s like Being a Foreign Exchange Student (FES) and how to become one yourself, the preparation and how a FES feels after nearly three months in another country.
Before you go to another country you have to make multiple preparations which takes a lot of time. You have to fill out a lot of papers, you have to go to the consulate of the country you want to go to get a visa, if needed. Depending on the organization you go with, you may have to go to at least one meeting before you start your journey, were your organization explains to you some basics about the time in the foreign country.
Another really important point is that you may think about a scholarship to have a part of your journey paid. Depending on where you go and how long you go, it can get really expensive. If you apply for a scholarship you may have twice as much stress as you already had with the preparations. So if you want to go to another country, you should start really early with your preparations. If you are in your country than, you should throw away every expectation you have before arriving, because it is definitely going to be different than you expected. Also every FES is going to have a different experience. Depending on your family and place, you have different opportunities to do as much or as little as you want like day trips, or week long trips. Your FES year(s) are going to be some of the best years of your life.