Education Exchange Programs: What Is All the Fuss About?

Published July 10, 2019

Have you noticed that the number of international students in your college seems to be on the rise lately? This is a new system that is being adapted to bring about diversity in the learning culture. Nowadays, it is not uncommon to find yourself being posted to work in another country.

Most people who find themselves in these situations may have difficulties adapting to the new environment because of the difference in lifestyles in different countries. Say you live in a country where classes run all through the day. There are other students, especially in the USA and UK who are used to studying and working at the same time. Their classes hence tend to be shorter, and their education schedules are more flexible to accommodate other aspects of their lives.

It is only through such exchange programs that one can experience life through other perspectives apart from the one you are accustomed to.

What are the Likely Benefits of This System of Learning?

Below are some of the advantages of exchange programs:

• Diversification

When you enter the job market, most companies nowadays want to work on a global scale. How advantageous would it be for you then if, say Chinese investors will be visiting your company, yet you once participated in an exchange program with Chinese students? This automatically places you as the best candidate for the job, and such relations have a way of expanding one’s horizon.

• Develop an open mind

If you have lived in a certain place for over two years, you automatically find yourself behaving the same way as those around you. Even in educational institutions, you may find that students of a particular course almost always end up applying for the same jobs and wanting to live a particular way of life. With an exchange program, it allows you to get out of your comfort zone and experience how people in other countries live.  There are so many possibilities out there that one may never venture into if you only restrict yourself to one kind of environment.

• Deep down, we all have the desire to travel

A famous philosopher once said the ‘’the world is a book and those who have not traveled only read one page.’’ This is true for education too. Traveling to other areas may make you discover skills you never had. Say you are in a class of mathematical geniuses, but you have never considered yourself one because everyone around you is skilled in math. Through an exchange program, you may find yourself interacting with other students who are always asking, ’who can do my math homework for me?’ This will open up your chances of earning some income on the side while doing something that does not come as a struggle to you.

• Learn new languages

Foreign languages are rarely taught in local universities. When one gets to travel to another area locally or even internationally, by default, you find yourself learning the new tongue being used in those areas. Mastery of many languages opens up opportunities for people in many ways. You can work as a translator anywhere or be in charge of a new production line that your company wants to open in that country. The possibilities are truly endless.

These are just but a few benefits associated with engaging yourself in exchange programs.

How to Overcome Challenges of Exchange Programs?

Most students are afraid of such experiences because they do not know what to expect on the other side. The best way to go about it is first to conduct a thorough research of the country you will be going to. One should be able to know how the economy stands in the country they are going to. For instance, how much are foods, accommodation, and other basic commodities? What are the cheapest and easiest means of transport? What common jobs can one do to improve their financial status? This should not worry you so much though because the institution arranges such programs. The high chances are that your host campus will cater for your accommodation.

You ought not to feel so restricted to where you were born. Should such opportunities arise in your college, the wisest thing to do would be to apply and pray that the odds are in your favor. You may never know how your life will end up by embracing such chances.