I will be an exchange student in Germany next year. What should I expect?

Question

Well, that's a little incorrect. I'm going through the application process and will most likely be accepted. I'm in highschool. It's for the whole school year (well 11 months including an intense language and culture training program). I have no clue what part of Germany it will be. I'm very excited about the chance but I'm clueless what to expect. Has anyone been to Germany as an exchange student or any Germans in highschool like to kind of tell me what it's like?

Answer 1

Hey, Im an alum of the Congress Bundestag youth exchange, which sounds like what youre going for (maybe?). Anyways, I am going to sum up what I am going to say in a few words. It's life! It's just like living anywhere else when you break it down, but it takes a while to realize that. All parts of germany are really really different though and, i hate to admit this, that has a huge impact on your stay. and your host family can make or break your trip. i cant tell you how many people were dissapointed with their families or didnt get along with them. trying to blend with a new family is the biggest challenge youll ever have to do in life. some people do it flawlessly and become a member of the family forever. many end up switching families, and thats ok! but if you want to switch, hopefully you find out in the beginning of the year, because otherwise it's sooo stressful starting out new again. The intense language program is a blast though. mine was in flensburg, germany, the northern-most city in germany and we were a group of 10 kick *** americans. you really dont get a feel for real german life in the first month because you spend the majority of your time doing things with americans and your host siblings if you have any (youll have 2 host families, this one is only for a month). in our case, all of our host siblings spoke english and we all got along so well, so it was just a big party. bars, clubs, town festivals especially because of the time of year. the "classes" in most cases arent classes at all. my teachers brought us to the beach, to kiev and luebeck and wherever else. the last day at your first host family and on the ride to your final destination it will hit you, holy poop im in germany for a whole year! Its about to start...whoa. its such a weird feeling. in my case, i was on a train for 7 hours from the north part of germany to a tiny tiny microscopic village in the middle of east germany. me, being from chicago, and ending up in a tiny village...it was a culture shock to say the least. once school started a week later, it was just like normal life, but in german and with much much harder course material. people were really nice to me and i made a lot of cool friends. i am actually going to see one of them next week! (and it's been 3 years!) its full of ups and downs though. youre torn between building a temporary new life in germany and not being too locked out of your old one in america. at one point, "home" becomes less important and phone calls to america become less and less. im going to be honest though, a year is a loooong time. i stayed 10 months, and by the time i left 2 months early, about half of the participants in the program had already gone home. it was the worst year for drop outs ever. at that time in my life, it was the best decision to make and im happy that i did, but i missed my friends in germany once i was back and, honestly, had a hard time getting used to american life and speaking english. and remember, your whole life in america isnt standing still waiting for you. when i came back, my parents had remodeled, my friends had gone to college and i wasnt expecting that. from the friends i still talk to, everyone had a hard time adjusting back to amerian life. anyways being an exchange student is really hard. but you will learn more about yourself than you ever would staying home. you will come back more mature, independant and have a cultural knowledge that you could never ever learn in a classroom or out of a book. plus you can get college credit most likely from your experience! I dont regret a minute of my exchange and the experience is different for each person, but i have yet to meet someone that tells me its an easy experience.

Answer 2

I lived in Germany for 5.5 years, and absolutely loved it.
It really depends on where you go to know what to expect, but I can tell you some general tips.
Try to read all you can about Germany. While it might not help, at least you will know a little more.
Germans are very fun, helping and generous people. I always had the experience that they were willing to help. If I asked them something in German (with my American accent) they'd answer me in English, and when they couldn't speak English they'd find somebody who could, to help you.
They also are somewhat humble in their speaking abilities. Almost every German I ran into when asked, "Do you speak English?" They would respond "Only alittle," Yet they would have better grammar, and perfect sentences then I did.
The reason being all Germans are required to take English as a second language starting in the 5th grade all the way through 13th grade. (Their high school ends at 13th...not 12th.)
Each state, each city has their own customs. But there are some things that are continental.
Fasching is a large celebration right before Easter. Huge parades (The best one is in Mainz Germany), with people in costumes, and huge hats. They throw out candy, and just have a good time.
Around the Rhein there are many wine festivals during the summer. I would advise to avoid these...but hey! If it floats your boat go for it.
Christmas time is probably the best. Many large cities, and even smaller towns have Christmas markets. From children activities, to potato bratwurst, to handicrafts, to Gluhwein (Apple Wine) there is something for everyone. Their crepes are escpecially good.
If you are in a Roman Catholic state (Southern Germany, Bayer, Rheinland Phalz) then you will see Germans kids out playing. The government gives the kids these days off.
Public transportation is amazing in Germany! Since there are no specific school buses the kids use the public transport. The trains are clean and on time, the buses, fast, and you can go almost everywhere.
Another often used transportation is your feet or bicycles. The Germans are very fit people.
Depending on the city, there are weekly or biweekly fresh markets. Fresh meats, cheeses, vegetables, fruits, and flowers all fill the main square.
You will see some stores you see in the United States. H&M, Starbucks, and some others are in Germany. The big clothing chains are Karstadt (alittle expensive), Peek and Cloppenburg, Kaufhof, C&A (cheaper, and fits almost everyone), United Colors of Benittion (more expensive)
I hope you have a good time.
If you have anymore questions feel free to email me.

Answer 3

Germany is a beautiful country. Enjoy and know how to get in touch with the Committee for Safety of Foreign Exchange Students (CSFES) via their website: www.csfes.org. CSFES has members in Germany, too! Again, enjoy.

Answer 4

My daughter did it and we had a German girl for a year.. You will love it as the people are great there..I have been there dozens of times on business and pleasure and always had a good time..The biggest shock to you will be the language..Unless you learn the dialect from exactly where you are staying you won't have a clue what they are saying..Email me if you want to hear more as I have to go now

Answer 5

I did an exchange year to Germany during my high school time in Munich and I loved it.
I am currently back in Germany for a year doing aUniversity year abroad in Berlin.

Feel free to email me if you have any questions in particular!!

[e-mail]

Greetings from Berlin
sabrina

Answer 6

rain, drizzle, fog, cool temps, great food,

Answer 7

good beer and sausage