Stay curious - Hobbies in student exchange

Lohmar, 03.04.24 - "Of course I'm going abroad, but I HAVE to keep up my hobby" - that's how almost all applicants approach the idea of a year abroad. Finally training basketball with the best, or trying out something new, perhaps learning to surf - the hobby provides security and is the guarantee of meeting new friends with the same interests and talents, and thus quickly arriving and integrating. It's easier to feel at ease if not everything is different abroad, but the hobby is possible, for example.



At international EXPERIENCE e.V., the exchange students are nevertheless open to new topics, many try out hobbies and sports that are sometimes not available at home, or simply because they adapt more closely to their host country.



Rugby instead of ballet: exchange students try out new things

At the returnee meeting, an exchange student confirmed that she could hardly imagine life without dancing and had therefore made sure that she could take advantage of a wide range of dance activities when choosing her school (in Canada). However, once she was there, she realized that her classmates, the subject matter and everything else was not what she had wanted and imagined.

And now? A shock at first, and then overcoming it: "If I'm already here, then I'll try something new. Something completely new. What's typical for Canada? Rugby!" Protective equipment, a team sport with a completely different training than ballet, and competitions instead of performances, so pretty much everything is different from the hobby I was used to before.

Exchange students cross borders in many ways

Not only are the sports different, but the training sessions also differ from those at home: the school often trains competitively in seasons with highly motivated coaches. In the fall, winter and spring, 5 to 10 different sports are practiced, e.g. American football or rugby in the fall, basketball or ice hockey in the winter, climbing or soccer in the spring. In addition to high school, some clubs and/or so-called "academies" also offer opportunities for training.



International EXPERIENCE e. V. encourages its participants to take the opportunity to try out something that is either almost unheard of at home or where you would never in your life show your face for fear of your friends' comments at home!



Guest students make new friends at high school by doing hobbies there

The high schools also like to accept their guest students as members of their band, (jazz) orchestra or choir. Concerts, small auditions and lots of opportunities to perform also help with stage fright.

One previously shy student tried out for her high school drama club and is now a practiced performer. Others succeed as lighting and sound technicians, or get creative with stage construction or costumes. Often there is also the chance to take part in short trips, which allows them to immerse themselves once again and more deeply in the country's culture and strengthen their bonds with their new friends. The international EXPERIENCE e. V. blog has tips on this.



Openness takes exchange students further

If you are open to new things, you can decide for yourself what is right for you during your year abroad. This can also be a new hobby. In Canada, the exchange students choose their school and see directly which offers are available to them there. On 09.04.2024 at 6 p.m. international EXPERIENCE e. V. will provide information about the exchange program in an online zoom. Here is the meeting link: Meeting ID: 884 6852 0744

Identification code: 810048

link



Interested parents and young people are given individual advice on which program is suitable for a time abroad. A lot of information is also provided in online rooms and returnees can be interviewed. News and dates - international-experience.net

Initial personal contact is also possible at an education fair, e.g. in the coming weeks in Kiel, Leipzig, Hamburg, Stuttgart etc.



International EXPERIENCE e. V. Short profile

International EXPERIENCE e. V. advises and accompanies students and families for a year abroad in 14 countries. The employees of iE e. V. have specific experience. With colleagues on site or long-standing partner organizations, intensive preparation, continuous availability and a tailor-made online tool, they guarantee all the prerequisites for an unforgettable year abroad. Surpluses from iE e. V. are passed on to selected participants as part of a pocket money scholarship.

- Every year, around 700 exchange students go abroad with iE e. V. to the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, France, Spain, Italy, the UK, Ireland, Argentina and Finland.
- The students prepare intensively in a two-day preparatory seminar in Germany, followed by a parents' session.

- A close partnership with international EXPERIENCE USA and its accreditation as an advisor with the CSIET Council on Standards for Educational Travel guarantee excellent support in the most popular destination country.

- iE e. V. has been certified by the German Institute for Service Quality since 2017 and is a specialist for Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

- Founded in 2000, 260 employees worldwide.

international EXPERIENCE e. V.
Amselweg 20
53797 Lohmar
Germany

https://germany.international-experience.net/

+491726208618

v.wolters@international-experience.net

International EXPERIENCE e. V. Brief profile
International EXPERIENCE e. V. advises and accompanies students and families for a year abroad in 14 countries. The employees of iE e. V. have specific experience. With colleagues on site or long-standing partner organizations, intensive preparation, continuous availability and a tailor-made online tool, they guarantee all the prerequisites for an unforgettable year abroad. Surpluses from iE e. V. are passed on to selected participants as part of a pocket money scholarship.

- Every year, around 700 exchange students go abroad with iE e. V. to the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, France, Spain, Italy, the UK, Ireland, Chile, Argentina and Finland.
- The students prepare intensively in a two-day preparatory seminar in Germany, followed by a parents' session.
- A close partnership with international EXPERIENCE USA and its accreditation as an advisor with the CSIET Council on Standards for Educational Travel guarantee excellent support in the most popular destination country.
- iE e. V. has been certified by the German Institute for Service Quality since 2017 and is a specialist for Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
- Founded in 2000, iE now has six representative offices worldwide.