View The World From a Different Lens: Why Teens Should Sign Up For Foreign Exchange Programs

Everyone talks about teenagers being difficult. But nobody wants to talk about giving them opportunities to excel in different fields. What is the biggest gift you can give to your teenagers? If you ask us, it is the perspective of enjoying a global experience. There are so many ways to offer a global experience to a teenager, but the best one has to be a summer exchange program. Even gap years have become a popular choice among young teenagers. 

 

The return on investment of these programs is quite significant because a teenager gets more than just global experience. Teenagers can join foreign exchange student programs and spend a summer or a semester abroad. Let’s look at the lasting benefits of these international exchange programs for teenagers. 

 

The Benefits of High School Student Exchange Programs: 

 

#1 Self-Awareness is Important

 

Your teenager needs to know their personality and what they wish to do later in life. They don’t have to choose a career path, but going abroad can open their minds to new things. Teenagers learn to communicate properly, learn a new language, and become much more mature and independent. 

 

Their networking skills will also improve through the process. And the best part is they become a global citizen. 

#2 Learning To Be Independent 

Many teenagers have realized a sense of responsibility comes when they go abroad. They are expected to be independent and make the right decisions. Teenagers are far from home, so they must act responsibly because they live away from their families. You have to judge right and wrong and decide what is good for you. 

#3 Building Good Career Skills 

There is no compulsion to choose your career path, but teenagers learn many life and work skills while studying abroad. You must choose a country where you wish to travel and check what extracurricular activities you can participate in. 

They learn a new language, learn how other cultures work and live, and get up close and personal with different people. Teenagers will also learn key skills like fundraising, crowd-sourcing, volunteering, grant-writing, etc. These skills will be helpful later. For example, you could write in your resume later about how you were responsible for writing grants and raising funds for a cause. Volunteering experience is also important. 

They also learn to collaborate and adjust with people from all walks of life. The price for a study abroad program is worth it because your teenager returns with a lot of experience. They are not an empty slate any longer. 

#4 The Importance of Intercultural Competence 

A teenager reaps many benefits from studying abroad for a summer or gap year. They learn to accept differences and embrace cultures as they are. A teenager can view the values and behavior of other people. This skill is important because a teenager can then live anywhere and confidently handle small and big problems. 

What if your child has to go live somewhere else? They will know how to deal with different people and not disrespect anyone’s values and beliefs. Accepting and respecting other cultures is important because what you see on the news is a lot of hatred. But a summer abroad for high school students can be a revelation. 

#5 Global Knowledge is Everything 

Your teenager will reap many benefits from an international summer exchange. At the beginning of the journey, they will learn about cultures. And then they will learn a new language. They will realize that where they live is not the ultimate place on Earth. There are other cultures, countries, values, belief systems, religions, etc. Teenagers become responsible humans when they are exposed to global knowledge. 

 This core educational experience is important because it helps build critical thinking skills and boosts the teenager’s imagination. Also, traveling is important for global knowledge and building new connections. This is also when teenagers can form new friendships, some of which will last a lifetime. 

Teenagers must try it because it will change their lives more than you can imagine. Don’t you think we all should get the opportunity to travel abroad and explore ourselves and the interests we may have?

Student exchange programs are life-changing, so sign up for them. And yes, high school is the best time to begin. This is where your teenagers will learn a lot and return with memories, a new perspective, and experience. 

 

You can search for these student exchange programs and apply if you are eligible. There is a fee to pay, but the benefits will be plenty. A worthwhile experience, indeed!