1. You will grow as a person
Being away from your parents — probably for the first time — can feel overwhelming. You’re stepping into the unknown: a foreign country, a different language, unfamiliar faces, and a whole new culture. As a young student, that’s a scary thought. However, it’s also one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll ever have.
I often compare going on an exchange year to joining the military (minus the drills, of course). You go away one kind of person and when you come back, you will be stronger, more independent. Growth happens when you leave your comfort zone. And an exchange year forces you to grow — fast.
Some of the challenges may include navigating a new place, making new friends while learning a new language. Although these things may sound difficult, they are actually pretty easy once you are in these situations.
Pro tip: Being an exchange student doesn’t last forever. Think of it as a second life within your current one — and it’s a short one. Make the most of it. Talk to strangers. Try new things. Say yes more often. And don’t be afraid to embarrass yourself now and then. You’ll either come back with hilarious stories to tell your friends — or you’ll learn something new about yourself. Either way, you win.
2. Learning a new language
In my opinion, there is no better way to learn a language as quickly and effectively as by spending an extended period of time in the country where they speak the language you want to learn is spoken. Go to Spain to learn Spanish, go to Austria/Germany to learn German. They say that the more languages you know, the more personalities you have, and I can confirm this. You might be a shy person when you speak your mother language and you might be a very loud and outgoing person when you speak the language of your host country.
Pro tip: Speak the language of your host country and do not switch to English! I would recommend taking some language courses before your exchange starts, so you will have a good base to build on. Once you arrive, do not switch to English. Yes, it will be difficult, but I can assure you that by sticking to this rule, you will be fluent in no time. Another important thing to keep in mind is to just talk. It does not matter if you make grammar mistakes; people will understand you regardless, and it is a bonus if they correct you. Do not take that as a failure; they just helped you to get better.
3. Broaden your perspective
As a young person, it is very important to expose yourself to different worldviews and unfamiliar situations, because it can help you create your own view of the world.
My experience: I come from a small Romanian town. Not so many people had the opportunity to go to a different place and see how things were done there. When I came back I gained knowledge about how to think about the world