I want to go on an international student exchange.?
I live in Australia, and I would reeeeallllyyy like to go on a student exchange to somewhere french-speaking, like Belgium, Switzerland or France. I have looked on the internet and found a company called WEP and I've tried to convince my mum about the idea. She is all for it EXCEPT that she doesn't want me to mess up other school yeârs, be away for tooo long or do it with a company she doesn't trust or have any kind of recoard. I really want to do this, but... Mums... So, Does anybody know of anykind of record the WEP may have or be able to recommend a better company for an Aussie. Also, any idea how long would be a good idea??? And where. Oh, at the moment I'm 13 and a half... I'm a forward planner... Help!!! Thnx!
Studying Abroad - 1 Answers
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1 :
13 and a half is a good time to start thinking about going on exchange! I am a 5-time host mom and volunteer with Youth For Understanding (YFU) in the USA. YFU, AFS, and Rotary are frequently called "the big 3" when it comes to exchanges - long histories and good reputations. Please forgive my bias towards YFU - it's the one that I have direct experience with (I am a 5-time host mom and volunteer). I am gaining indirect experience by corresponding with former students. When I have asked exchange students why they chose YFU, I get the following answers: (1) YFU gave them more bang for their buck and/or (2) someone they knew and trusted recommended YFU. 95% of the fees collected by YFU go for direct program costs (airline tickets, support in hosting country, etc.). YFU has been around for 59 years and has learned how to make exchanges successful. Which ever program you choose, make sure they are listed with the Council for Standards on International Educational Travel (csiet.org). They routinely audit programs for quality. I checked the CSIET list for WEP and did not find it. I can't tell you to not choose them, but you will need to do more investigation on your own. If I may, I would like to suggest checking out YFU. I just took a quick look at the YFU Australia website and they have done a really good job of expanding it. YFU does have programs to Belgium (French and Dutch speaking), Switzerland (French and German speaking), and France. One note: All three of those programs require students from the USA to have 2 years of French study in order to participate in the year programs. The YFU Australia made that notation for France; it is most likely the same for Belgium and Switzerland (you'll have to contact your local office). It's only natural for mothers to worry - they are responsible for you. The YFU website has a whole section for parents. I did happen to notice that France has a shorter program (I did not notice if Belgium or Switzerland did or not). Personally, I would suggest going for the full school year. You'll get a fuller experience and the price is usually the same. But that is just my own opinion. Regarding "messing up" your schooling - you'll have to check with your school to see what you'll need to do in order to "keep on track". It is not unusual for a student to not have any credit from an exchange year applied to their 'normal' school. It really depends on your school and what you do while away. Good luck to you no matter what you choose!!
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Sunday, October 28, 2012
Sunday, October 14, 2012
where to go on student exchange ...?
where to go on student exchange ...?
i need to decided where to go for student exchange. i'm torn between USA, france, korea, belgium?? this is for high school exchange in the next year or so
Studying Abroad - 3 Answers
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1 :
Which are you most interested in, and why? Culture? language? history? I would use that as a guideline, and, to be honest...most companies give you a list, then tell you to pick three and rank them, and they put you where they can find you a host family. Rather diverse selections, I'd say!
2 :
Korea sounds like fun. It's a very different culture!
3 :
i would say france, but the days are a lot longer. A lot of foreign exchange students to the u.s. find that it's hard because the parents are much more strict and the people aren't as quick to invite you places as in other countries. good luck in your decision making :)
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i need to decided where to go for student exchange. i'm torn between USA, france, korea, belgium?? this is for high school exchange in the next year or so
Studying Abroad - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Which are you most interested in, and why? Culture? language? history? I would use that as a guideline, and, to be honest...most companies give you a list, then tell you to pick three and rank them, and they put you where they can find you a host family. Rather diverse selections, I'd say!
2 :
Korea sounds like fun. It's a very different culture!
3 :
i would say france, but the days are a lot longer. A lot of foreign exchange students to the u.s. find that it's hard because the parents are much more strict and the people aren't as quick to invite you places as in other countries. good luck in your decision making :)
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Sunday, October 7, 2012
How/where do I buy a eurail pass?
How/where do I buy a eurail pass?
I need to know how to buy a eurail pass and what type I should get. I will be traveling for 15 days in 8 countries: Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Switzerland, and Italy. Will any pass cover all of that? Also, can I reserve train seats from Canada ahead of time (as opposed to at a station in Europe when I get there) and will a eurail pass cover the overnight trains (with beds)? By the way I am 20 years old and a student.
Other - Europe - 3 Answers
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1 :
Go to google and type in "man in seat 61". Its a fabulous website giving all the information you require. If you still have questions give me a shout if you like , I have done similar trips over 19 countries in the past 4 years . Its the best way to travel and the Sleepers are a hoot (laugh) as are hostels, both safe and cheap.
2 :
You can actually purchase those online. Just go to eurail.com. You can purchase different countries or just one country. You can also go to www.bahn.de. That is the German rail system. Have a good time. The food is awesome.
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I need to know how to buy a eurail pass and what type I should get. I will be traveling for 15 days in 8 countries: Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Switzerland, and Italy. Will any pass cover all of that? Also, can I reserve train seats from Canada ahead of time (as opposed to at a station in Europe when I get there) and will a eurail pass cover the overnight trains (with beds)? By the way I am 20 years old and a student.
Other - Europe - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Go to google and type in "man in seat 61". Its a fabulous website giving all the information you require. If you still have questions give me a shout if you like , I have done similar trips over 19 countries in the past 4 years . Its the best way to travel and the Sleepers are a hoot (laugh) as are hostels, both safe and cheap.
2 :
You can actually purchase those online. Just go to eurail.com. You can purchase different countries or just one country. You can also go to www.bahn.de. That is the German rail system. Have a good time. The food is awesome.
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Monday, October 1, 2012
belgium or france?
belgium or france?
of course, just as i was sure i wanted to stay in northern france somewhere relatively close to paris, the option of belgium opened up to me. im a high school student and i want to study abroad in a european country, and i decided since i know some french already, a french speaking country. ive made a list of all the pros and cons of going to france vs. belgium, but i still can't decide. both the experiences seem great. tell me anything you know about your experience in france or belgium. if possible, about high school there. or give me a link to what someone wrote about it. i dont care. i just need info to make my decision.
Studying Abroad - 2 Answers
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1 :
France is obviously a bigger country, extremely nationalistic, and a major player in European politics and economics. Its history is important to European history and world history (it was the dominant country in the 18th century as England was in the 19th and America in the 20th). It is a geographically various, with different parts (Breton, Paris, Norman, Gascony, etc.) each a study in itself. It's inexhaustible. Some French (e. g., Baudelaire, who should have known better) look down on Belgians as dumb lovers of "frites" and little else, but at its best it's a reasonable, intelligent place. Belgium is friendlier, more masterable as a country, culturally very various to the point of having two languages (Walloon and French) so that it is almost riven, and in some ways more open than France. Les francais sont tres "chez eux." The Musee des Beaux Arts is not the Louvre, but since it takes a year of going to a world class museum to start to know it, there's not much practical difference. The pleasures of the table are equal in both, although there's more variety in France because it's bigger. It's easier to get from Belgium to some other countries such as Holland (any of the Benelux countries) and Germany. If you've never been to either, I'd guess I'd go to France because having been there opens more doors socially, culturally, and economically, but I've had good times in both places.
2 :
Roger's got point. You should take his advice. After all, he's a top contributer.
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of course, just as i was sure i wanted to stay in northern france somewhere relatively close to paris, the option of belgium opened up to me. im a high school student and i want to study abroad in a european country, and i decided since i know some french already, a french speaking country. ive made a list of all the pros and cons of going to france vs. belgium, but i still can't decide. both the experiences seem great. tell me anything you know about your experience in france or belgium. if possible, about high school there. or give me a link to what someone wrote about it. i dont care. i just need info to make my decision.
Studying Abroad - 2 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
France is obviously a bigger country, extremely nationalistic, and a major player in European politics and economics. Its history is important to European history and world history (it was the dominant country in the 18th century as England was in the 19th and America in the 20th). It is a geographically various, with different parts (Breton, Paris, Norman, Gascony, etc.) each a study in itself. It's inexhaustible. Some French (e. g., Baudelaire, who should have known better) look down on Belgians as dumb lovers of "frites" and little else, but at its best it's a reasonable, intelligent place. Belgium is friendlier, more masterable as a country, culturally very various to the point of having two languages (Walloon and French) so that it is almost riven, and in some ways more open than France. Les francais sont tres "chez eux." The Musee des Beaux Arts is not the Louvre, but since it takes a year of going to a world class museum to start to know it, there's not much practical difference. The pleasures of the table are equal in both, although there's more variety in France because it's bigger. It's easier to get from Belgium to some other countries such as Holland (any of the Benelux countries) and Germany. If you've never been to either, I'd guess I'd go to France because having been there opens more doors socially, culturally, and economically, but I've had good times in both places.
2 :
Roger's got point. You should take his advice. After all, he's a top contributer.
Read more other entries :
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