International Exchanges Improve Leadership Skills

International Exchanges have long been encouraged by service clubs, youth groups and organizations. What is all the fuss about? Is there any benefit or is it just an unnecessary risk for a teen who is innocent to the ways of the world?

The fuss is about how every teen should experience an exchange. A highschool student is the perfect age to benefit from such a trip. Whether for a month or a year or only a few weeks, an exchange exposes a teen to many new horizons. It creates understanding and tolerance between diverse groups of people. It encourages peace and independence. It makes the student appreciate their own land more. It forces the student to make friends as a total newcomer and it challenges them to become leaders. It improves responsibility and observational skills and much more. There are a few downsides as well. The teen is thrown into a totally new culture and may end up hanging around with the wrong group. The teen will lose a year of school in many cases (but they probably learn a lot more that they would in a year of school anyway)! The teen may have an unpleasant host family which makes them feel unwelcome. The teen may become homesick and beg to come home early, which really stresses the parents.

Overall, however, the exchange is an excellent opportunity. For financial reasons, no one should be unable to go on an exchange. There are, of course, expensive exchanges which cost from 5000- 10000 dollars. These groups usually pay a host family to look after the teen, so they may just be in it for the money. These are arranged by non-profit organizations like Youth for Understanding, Group of Ten, AFS and many more. There are groups like the Rotary Club which will arrange exchanges for no cost at all. The student must pay for the air tickets and is given a monthly allowance to help with living expenses. The student lives with a voluntary host family that is interested in learning about different cultures. Often it is a Rotary member. There are even groups like the Lions or Cadets who pay for the entire exchange, including transportation and souvenirs. These groups also arrange voluntary host families who are usually members of their organization. In Canada, the Royal Canadian Legion sponsors students on exchanges within Canada (Encounters). There are exchanges available with 4-H and many youth groups as well.

Everyone is encouraged to apply and to check out the websites of the organizations previously

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