The first few days and weeks of your exchange can seem strange. You've come to join a family, but you feel like a stranger. You don't have any familiar routines and you don't know what to expect. Don't worry. It does take time, but after awhile you will get more comfortable. Just as each country has a unique culture, so too does each family. Relationships between parents and children, ways of doing daily chores, rituals and traditions - you'll have the chance to observe and learn all about them. Your host family will be excited to get to know you and show you the sights of their town, but they'll understand if you are tired from traveling. Tell them honestly if you need some time to rest. Also, be honest about feeling homesick. If you seem unhappy but don't tell anyone why, your hosts may think you aren't having a good time or don't like them. Being homesick is natural even if you have a terrific exchange experience. It's OK to say that you're really enjoying being part of their family, but you're missing your own family, friends or hometown right now. As you talk to the new members of your family you'll want to ask questions about the things they do around the house. Are you expected to do your own laundry? What time does everyone usually go to bed? Will you have a curfew? Is there anything tricky about the shower (like a shower curtain that needs to be placed inside the tub)? You might have questions about things that your hosts haven't thought of, because they may not realize that cultural differences extend to even the small details of daily living. These discussions can be fun and interesting as you compare family life across cultures. The kitchen can also be a confusing place. The first few times you want a snack or drink, it's a good idea to ask before you reach in the fridge to take something. If the rule in your host family is "help yourself," they'll tell you. In other words, don't assume you know what to do in your new environment. It's better to ask before you do something so you don't accidentally offend your new family. Observing what the others do will give you lots of information also. Part of the experience for you should be to try to follow the routines of your family - study and do homework when your new siblings do, help with dinner or dishwashing if the other kids do, sleeping and waking at about the same times of day. Here's one student's advice, based on her homestay in Spain: "Spend time with your host family ö I realize this may sound like common sense, but some of the students in my group would go out together in the evenings instead of spending that time with their host sister or brother. I chose on the other hand to hang out with my host sisters and their friends. I'm fairly certain I got more out of my trip because of this." Once you learn more about your new family's daily life, you'll have an easier time fitting in. Open, honest communication is important in these relationships, so don't be shy. You have to make an effort to become part of any new group, especially when you're going to be living together. Part of the reason being an exchange student is so fascinating is that every small chore or trip to the grocery store is an opportunity to experience and learn about another culture. If you have a good attitude and are open to new ways of doing things, you'll become a true part of your new family sooner than you think!
|
 |
H O M E | A R T I C L E S | E S L C O R N E R | L I N K S
©Copyright 1995-2006 Educational Directories Unlimited, Inc. |
F
E A T U R E A R T I C L E