Exchanging Countries
Ainsley Kendrick
Six years ago, I spent one year in Theux, Belgium, as I took part in a exchange program, offered through the Rotary club of Summerside. It was the opportunity of a lifetime,with many challenges to overcome, new barriers to break, and many goals to accomplish. It was a hefty load but I would do it again in a heartbeat. 
When I first arrived, I was nervous beyond belief. My first host family, the Sarlets, and my counselor, Jean, were picking me up. (Every student is assigned a counselor who is supposed to be a support system in case you have problems with your family, school or some sort of culture shock.) I didn't have a clue what my host family looked like and was greeted by a semi-muscular, heavily bearded man with a camera. At first, I thought he was tourist just filming the airport but then he stuck out his cheek and greeted me with a kiss. It turned out to be my host father, Rudy.
My first couple of weeks were difficult. The language barrier made it hard to request the simplest things like clean towels or dish soap. Although I was in the French speaking part of the country, I had never really paid attention in French class throughout my school years so I was far from fluent. Everything I thought I was saying perfectly was totally
wrong and it frustrated me.
Student exchanges come in a variety of forms within a multitude of organizations. Each group offers something a little different, catering to a variety of desired experiences. For example, Rotary International gave me the chance to stay with 3 different families, whereas, programs such as AFS or EF usually set the exchangee up with one family. Personally, I found the experience of 3 families wonderful -- I got three different insights into how the Belgians live and left the country with three adoptive families! However, I did feel the stay with each family was rather short and I didn't have enough time to truly bond with the families like I wanted to. With program like AFS, a candidate would get the chance to really get into the family, relax, and feel a part of it.
Student exchanges vary in many ways. Typically, most are available for the student to get the experience of a new culture and language. Like myself, I was immersed in the families: their lives, their habits, and their hobbies. I attended public school and was put in their equivalent of grade 12. I was expected to go to school everyday;it was part of the experience. I was not expected to
pass my classes (beside English and
Gym!), but I was responsible for giving
it a try and making the most out of it.
Being hosted by 2-3 families during the year gives students the opportunity to actually live "like a
native" and experience more than they would as a simple tourist.
Exchanges are what you make them. From a female perspective. I found my exchange experience very educating, as long as I was willing to expect (and accept) certain cultural differences. Not all countries are as liberal as Canada: an important consideration to note when choosing a destination. Although Belgium is a very liberal country, many families live in a patriarchal way. Women may work, but they are still the cooks and caregivers of the family. I even found that male exchange students were treated with more respect from their club than females. While I could have easily been annoyed or bothered by this cultural norm that viewed me differently than from what I was used to in Canada. I quickly decided that to experience another culture was to fully experience another culture. It was not my place to impose my values upon another country, so I chose to ignore the misogyny and push my way into their hearts!
Although most exchanges are directed toward youth between the ages 16-20, there are other programs available that target to the above 20s. Canada World Youth is a work-study type exchange, which allows Canadians to spend 6 months working in a city in Canada and 6 months working abroad. Each person is paired up with a participant from another country and they work as a team guiding each other through their work tasks, home life, and culture. Unfortunately Canada World Youth and AFS are programs you have to pay and/or fundraise to be apart of. With Rotary, candidates submit an application, have an interview, and, if chosen, are expected to pay for travel. Rotary does, however, give their exchangees a monthly allowance, which can help off-set the cost of touristy excursions.
Another option for those who
may not have the funds to go on
anexchange but would still like a
cultural exchange is to become
a host family. The reason I
became interested in going on exchange was because my family has hosted about 8 students over the past 10 years. They came from Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Holland, France, Thailand, Egypt, and Alberta. Each student was
unique: some we bonded with better than others, but they all left impression on our lives. The language difference was as tough for them as it was for me but watching it from the "other side," their frustrations and difficulties was funny.
It is an invaluable experience where you not only make a one new friend but you gain an entire family. We now have a place to stay in practically every country in Central Europe, along with Thailand and Egypt!
So, if you are out for an incredible adventure and have the time to spare check out these sites:
Other articles by Ainsley:
- We Live in a Good Body: Review of Eve Ensler’s The Good Body (April 2006)
- Not Just Along for the Ride...My Search for Womanhood (February 2006)
