Lesson 6 Overseas Friends

Lesson 6: Overseas Friends

Fill in the words from the box: comfort zone, culture shock (x2), ensure, fosters, gain, host, overseas (x2), sign (x2)

1. The experience of being an exchange student varies widely based on many factors including what country they travel to and how long they stay. Some are placed with a family without any children, while others gain host siblings. However, they all gain valuable experience.


2. Before you decide to sign up for an exchange student programme you should consider a few things and first of all finances, passports and visas. Living and studying abroad ensure confidence and a sense of teamwork. It teaches to be comfortable with being uncomfortable because by getting outside your cultural comfort zone you will be able to learn and grow. However, not every teenager has the courage to live in a foreign country without their family or friends. So another thing is to talk to your family, friends and teachers and to make sure that you are ready to be a foreign exchange student. These simple steps will ensure that your decision is well-thought-out.


3. Though it can be one of the hardest parts of your exchange programme, culture shock is just as integral to the experience as food, people and scenery. It is not a culture shock that something is wrong. By recognising it for what it is and finding ways to cope, you can prevent signs from ruining an otherwise fantastic experience.

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