Ellie Bucciarelli, Greenheart’s High School Program’s counselor, shares this advice for the best beginning to a cultural exchange program.
Your journey has begun! You have started a new chapter that will be like no other. I hope host families and participants settle into their new routines over the next few weeks. For some, this may be your first experience with an exchange program. For others, while you may not be new to exchange, each year offers unique experiences, growth and special memories. The first month of the exchange can be so exciting: meeting new people, trying new foods and seeing new places. Yet it can also come with challenges such as homesickness, second guessing the decision to participate in exchange, student’s English not being as strong as expected and cultural differences. You all took a huge step making this commitment for the upcoming year. Sometimes Host Families and students have big expectations for how they feel the program should go. My best advice is to leave those expectations alone and focus on the here and now.
Many people say the first month of the program is the “Honeymoon” stage. Both Host Families and the student are starting to develop a relationship, and all is new and exciting. Usually there is a lot of activity. To help with the transition into starting school and a normal daily routine, it’s helpful to keep communication open from the start. Talking about house rules, expectations and routines will set guidelines for the year. Putting them in writing helps for referral later in case something is forgotten. The first few days can be a blur. For students, ask questions if something is not covered and communicate any concerns or challenges you may have to your Local Coordinator or Host Family. Try to avoid calling/messaging back home too much. It increases homesickness and makes it tough to adjust. If you feel you need additional support beyond your Local Coordinator, you can reach out to the Greenheart Supports listed in your Handbook, including Ellie Bucciarelli, Greenheart Student Counselor.
This is a transition period for both the Host Family and Student; so be kind to one another during challenges and patient with yourself.
Everyone’s lifestyle will change on this journey. For some Host Families, it may be your first time with a teenager in the house. For other families, it may be a new year with a new student or another teen getting engaged in activities. Coordinating meals, organizing rides for students and adjusting the family schedule can take work and some getting used to each year. For students you may love your new home and family, but still miss the familiarities of home, must adjust to very little to no public transportation and different foods. It can be overwhelming at times and that’s okay. It’s all part of figuring out how to navigate new challenges and along with that comes growth and independence.
Here are a few tips to guide you through this first month:
- 1. Make a welcome sign to bring to the airport. Students love these signs!
- 2. Prep the bedroom with little extras: a welcome note, pad of paper or journal, writing utensils, book about your area, school gear with the logo are a few ideas. Make sure the bed is made and ready to go for your very tired student. Some have had very long flights!
- 3. Keep to a new schedule. This is hard, but so important. The best way to acclimate is to limit naps (save those naps after time zone adjustments have happened). Go to bed and get up with the Host Family to get ready for the first day of school.
- 4. It’s okay to go easy on new foods at first. Try new foods but listen to your body.
- 5. Ask questions! Create a schedule and go over rules to prevent confusion. Everything in writing is helpful to refer to later. During the first few days, a lot may not be remembered.
- 6. Start making connections. Begin this new chapter with introductions around the neighborhood, family and other students who will attend the same school.
- 7. Check in with parents back home assuring a safe arrival. Make sure to set up a schedule to contact home and friends so a big part of this first month can be about being “present” in these new surroundings. It really helps with the transition!
- 8. Talk it out! If there are questions, concerns, confusion, or homesickness, take the time to talk to your Local Coordinator, Host Family or Student early. This first month is all about building a solid foundation for this Program. Lean on the people close to you here in the United States.
- 9. Smile! Even if you are not confident with your English, smiling can lead to a new friendship.
- 10. Keep positive! Be patient! This Program is so special. It’s a big year for new discoveries, new growth and friendships that can last a lifetime.
Thanks Ellie! Thanks to our awesome Host Families, Local Coordinators, and all the high school exchange students who travel so far to experience life in the USA. THANK YOU.