The Exchange Experience

International exchange programs present a chance for growth, opportunity, and exploration for students from all backgrounds. These programs create unity not only between the student and their host community, but also between fellow exchange students as they navigate these new environments with the knowledge that their peers are experiencing similar situations. Learning the stories of other exchange students creates lasting bonds through shared experiences, and insight through differences. 

Although the experiences of an exchange student are vast, there are certain aspects of exchange that affect the majority in some way, such as homesickness. The different methods students learn to overcome these challenges or to achieve success in their year abroad build the very definition of what it means to be an exchange student, on an individual level as well as a community experience. I’ve had the pleasure to interview two American exchange students on their year abroad in Germany, in hopes to learn their definition of exchange as told through their unique experiences. Let’s meet Jess and Siri!

 Introductions and Background in Exchange 

Jessica is from Florida and was placed in a small town in North Rhine Westphalia near the Ditch border during her time in Germany. She was 17 during her exchange year and says that she had no previous experience in studying abroad or the German language or culture, but always had a passion for travel which inspired her to apply for the program. 

Siri from California was 16 during her year abroad and was also placed in North Rhine Westphalia. She didn’t have any prior exchange or German experience but began learning German using online resources after being accepted into the program. 

How has living in Germany impacted your understanding and appreciation of German culture? 

Neither Siri nor Jess had much knowledge of German culture before embarking on their exchange, and were introduced to many new experiences and customs. Jess remarks that after being immersed in a new culture for the first time, it’s harder to resort to stereotypes or assumptions about people. She notes that she has a much better understanding of what culture means on a larger scale, not just in Germany, as she was also able to get an understanding of Dutch culture after frequent visits to the Netherlands. 

Siri credits her participation in various German traditions and activities as one of her main learning experiences into German culture. She was able to attend Christmas markets (aka Weihnachtsmarkt) for the first time, a famous and ancient German tradition. Siri also attended a potato festival in Bavaria during fall break with her host family, a unique experience which was very new and unfamiliar to her but quickly became one of the most memorable cultural interactions that she had. She also appreciates this experience as it gave her insight into another part of German culture that was very different from the area in Germany where she lived. 

What has been your experience living with a host family? 

Siri said her experience with her host family was “really awesome” and that she had a great time with them. There were very similar dynamics in her host family as there were in her natural family, as well as the same number of people in each, which gave Siri a sense of familiarity and made it easier for her to assimilate. She states that it was a cool experience to have younger generation host parents and is grateful for their involvement in her linguistic and cultural learning. 

Jess switched host families halfway through her exchange year, but says that both experiences gave her an opportunity to learn and grow as a person. She had a “wonderful experience” with her second host family and felt that living with a host family gave her a comfortable environment to connect to the community and culture. Jess admits that it can be difficult to obtain the same familiarity with a new family as a natural family, and that adjusting to the small, everyday differences takes time. However, she says that beginning to incorporate these differences, like recycling, lüften, and biking to school into her daily routine gave her a well rounded and realistic view into German family life. 

How has your exchange year contributed to your personal growth and development? 

Both Siri and Jess noticed a significant increase in their independence and self reliance after living in Germany. Jess says that she was able to spend more time by herself and focus on reflection, which she often did not have time for back in the US. Siri stated that her independence also gave her the confidence and freedom to do things by herself, such as go to the movies. 

Do you see yourself maintaining connections with Germany and/or pursuing further international exchange? 

Siri and Jess both want to maintain connections in some way to Germany. Neither are too sure if they want to live in Germany again but want to visit. Siri plans to take German classes at her local community college and is considering college in Germany. Jess and Siri plan to keep in contact with their host families. 

Do you have any tips or insights you wished you’d known before starting your exchange journey? 

Siri says that she doesn’t wish for her exchange to have gone differently and that she “figured everything out” along the way. Her mistakes allowed her to grow and created an imperfect, but authentic experience in learning to understand and appreciate the cultural and familial environments around her. Jess wishes that she had spent more time learning German before arriving in the country. She expected to “absorb the language” but found that acquiring fluency was more challenging than anticipated, and would advise future exchange students to study the basics of their host language before starting their immersion. However, Jess also states that she doesn’t regret anything about her exchange and is grateful for all the experiences she had in Germany.