I would like to be a foreign exchange student next year but I am having a hard time choosing which country.?

Question

So far I have it narrowed down to...
France
Italy
Germany
Slovakia

I can not speak any of those languages but once I make my decision which one I will purchase the Rosetta Stone software and learn it.

So which country do you think I should go to?

Answer 1

Looking at you usermane... do you have French heritage?
That would be my pick, country of heritage, or country that had something to do with what I wanted to do after school.
Or maybe something you are interested in... Germany has Porsche, BMW, AUDI and Mercedes cars among others. Italy Lambo, Ferrari and Alfa cars and Ducati, Bimota, MV Agusta and Aprilla cars.
France and Italy I think are known more for their museums and art galleries than Germany, but that might be only in my mind.
France and Italy are reknown for food and wine, Germany beers, and foods too.
Slovakia, I know nothing about... so I would drop unless I had strong heritage ties.... then it would draw me more than the others... because I know nothing about it.

Also remember that with the European Union... as I understand it... crossing countries to see an important stop (to you) is as easy as crossing states here.
A big deciding factor... since you are just now going to learn the language (which I highly reccomend you make a priority over your personal life now) is to find out which of the countries speak english more commonly. That woiuld make communication easier since you are only going to absorb so much in a short time span. I can tell you that when I took a year of Spanish and visited my Grandfather in Puerto Rico, I would say hi and introduce myself... and people would be happy, take it as a sign of good will and respect for their culture... and then they would talk as fast as a machine gun and leave my head spinning and i would feel liek a dope asking them to repeat and slowly.
Take lots of pictures, video if possible, and have fun and enjoy. If you can go digital and backup to cd/dvd, take pictures of everything, the cafes where you eat, the laundermat, whatever, 40 years from now.... you will want to see more pictures than you take, even if you take a million.

HAVE FUN!

Answer 2

Go to Germany. There is a lot of history there. I don't know or hear much about the Netherlands. I don't know, I have an exchange student friend from last year who was from Germany and I just thought anything she talked about from Germany sounded so cool. Like how their schooling is 13 years not 12 and how there are different and special schools for specific people. Germany just sounds cooler! But you are so brave to do this! You will have an amazing adventure either way! I wish I had done this!

Answer 3

Well Germans are mostly likely to speak good English. I think culturally Italians are the most different but very interesting. The French tend to be very interesting, intelligent people. Germans are very good people but come off as a little odd at times. Slovakians I don't know much about so that might be the most interesting choice. I have been to Chech and I gathered that they consider Slovakians to be a little more rural then the sophisticated Chech peoples.

And I am sorry but you are not going learn a language just from software. You may learn some words or phrase but it is never that simple.

Answer 4

I'd choose Italy. The reason? It is a "friendly" country and the people are warm and love Americans. It has a rich history, wonderful food, beautiful scenery, great things to do and the language is Latin based so it is not difficult to learn. Besides, even if you just try to learn necessary phrases, people appreciate your efforts. Unfortunately, in France and Germany, that isn't usually the case.

I have no knowledge of Slovakia, so I can't comment.

Answer 5

Slovaks are very easy to get to know. Very socialable people, along with Italians! Italy and Slovakia would be my top picks because Exchange Students usually have only a year or so to make friends. You will make friends faster in those two countries. :)

At the same time, those two countries offer quite a different viewpoint and education style. It will be challenging and open your eyes a whole lot. :)

Answer 6

Aww man you should go to Spain! thats the best place to live in Europe. Although if your mind is really set then I think Italy would be my second choice followed by France. Maybe if you said something about why you narrowed it down to those countries people could give you better answers.

Answer 7

You can not speak any of the languages of the countries on your list?

So, forget about France because you need to speak French well in order to be accepted in France.

The other three countries are much friendlier to anyone who gives it a fair try to speak a bit of their language.

Climate wise..... Italy !

Answer 8

I would recommend Germany, English is their second language. .We had two exchange students from Germany.All school students have to take the English language. They like Americans too.

Answer 9

I met one from France
still friends 45 years later

Answer 10

Id go for Italy.France is gorgeous but Italy just has something really special about it.The people,the art,the food....theres nothing like it! But im sure you'll have a ball wherever you pick.Enjoy it!!