International Exchange Programs: What are the Benefits for Students? Getnews

Tuesday 25 September 20120 comments

International Exchange Programs: What are the Benefits for Students?

International Exchange Programs Benefits for Students?

International exchange program is a network encouraging students from all over the world to embark on an international adventure benefiting them with an international education aside from what they are learning based on the curriculum in their own country.

Short history of International exchange program

This program was founded and established after the World War II and funded by Government programs which aimed in strengthening international ties and relations with other foreign countries as well as to gain knowledge of the culture of the host country.

Education in the international exchange program is generally shorter than students studying internationally. The course takes about a couple of months while long-term exchange students are required to stay 6 to 8 months depending on the sponsoring program.

Host families for international students

Students for the international exchange program are being housed by host family who are either volunteer or being paid if the exchange student is for long-term which is basically about 6 months to 18 months of education. The host family on the other hand is being screened carefully by the sponsor to ensure the safety of the students and to identify families that are interested in learning cultures from other countries as well.

You can't compare anything with live communication with representative of other culture. After that you even can write a research paper or a diary about your international experience. To have friends all over the world is the best souvenir for host families.

The process of application

It usually takes about 4 months for the application of students who wish to apply for the exchange program to be processed. The student applicant has their choice of country to attend to but only the program can designate the exact place for the student depending on the availability of the host family. Foreign student applicant must have a grade point average of 3.00 or depending on other programs which can also be lenient with their student applicant.

Goals of the exchange programs

Cultural immersion is the primary goal of international exchange program that it is necessary for the foreign exchange student to learn more of the culture, the life in school and other recreation of the host family in which the student is to spend the next two months of their educational stay. Foreign exchange students are required to learn and speak the basic language of their host country and must be adept in the conversational English language.

The benefits a foreign exchange student can gain from entering the program vary. They can gain both in educational and personal benefit and can also have a long-term benefit upon entering the program.

Educational Benefit

 Exchange student will improve their interest in terms of global issues and broaden their understanding of general knowledge

 They can enhance their skills in analyzing and problem solving

 Practical immersion will benefit student from learning foreign language that can make them conversational

 Foreign exchange student can adopt and can be aware of learning approaches from different countries aside from their academic curriculum

 International learning and knowledge geared towards cultural immersion and community understanding can be better achieved and can be better accepted by foreign student through the international exchange program

Personal Benefit

Education is not the only thing a student can gain from entering the international program. Their personal development and self-gain are better achieved through this program.

 Self-confidence and self-esteem are enhanced resulting from self-development and awareness during the time of international learning outside home and away from family.

 Challenges being faced with outside the support of family, familiar surrounding and comfort zone can enhance the maturity and social bearing of the student

 Independent opinions and informed decisions as encouraged by sense of accomplishment after completing the program and after some time away from home and family

 Appreciation of home and family are developed and achieved as a result of integration with other family from foreign countries

 Long-term friendship can be gained resulting from foreign family integration

 Foreign student can enhance their endeavor of achieving and attaining fresh goals

Long-term Benefit

 Personal flexibility and the ability to achieve and face compromise during challenging times can be improved form successful completion of the program

 Personal sensitivity in understanding others and group dynamics are better develop as a result of relating and communicating with other foreign country or the host country

 Favorable gain as an advantage to potential employers in any field resulting from gained knowledge of foreign language and culture

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