Imagine you’re thousands of miles away from anything you’ve ever known. Wouldn’t you want someone to help ease your transition? Here are some tips on how to do just that with your foreign exchange student:
Make your student a part of your family.
You aren’t just getting a visitor for a few months; you are accepting a new son or daughter into your home. Be as warm and as welcoming as you would be for your biological children. Explain the rules and procedures of the house, so that everyone knows what the expectations are. This will make your student feel right at home while they’re missing theirs.
Treat this as a learning experience.
It’s okay to be curious. Take this opportunity to learn about where your student is from. You will be able to broaden your spectrum of understanding by seeing the world through the eyes of another. You may have seen a documentary on South Korea, but your Korean exchange student can tell you what life is really like over there. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Teach your student the norms of your culture.
Remember: learning is a two-way street. You are an ambassador for your own country. Be proud of your culture, and share it with your student. This is especially important for those students who are learning English. They may have learned grammar and vocabulary from a textbook, but you have an opportunity to show them how we actually speak. Idioms and slang might not register with them right away, so you get to be the one to explain what you meant when you said it was “raining cats and dogs.”
Don’t make assumptions.
It’s important not to dwell on what you think you know about someone else’s culture. This should be a no-brainer, but visitors from other countries tend to be asked ignorant or insensitive questions. Put yourself in the shoes of your student. Give them the opportunity to teach you about their culture. In order to do this, you need to leave your preconceived notions at the door.
