Student Exchange Testimonial

How was your overall experience? You can talk about things you did, school, everyday life, food etc.

My overall experience was fantastic. While it can be a little bit of a struggle at the start, trying to balance a new addition to the family with school work and personal life, the connections made and experiences I had in Germany made it all worth it. I got along really well with my exchange student and her family. They were very welcoming and I got to travel to a number of different places in Germany, including Frankfurt, Trier, and Lubeck! I even got to travel to Berlin with my exchange student's school! German food is delicious, and it's so exciting to live in such a walkable city. Being able to travel around Mainz and even to other cities by bus or train is so freeing compared to Canada, where most of us just travel by car. The school life was good too, I was put into a year 12 English class and a German for foreigners class. The teachers were all really nice and welcoming, and I had time to myself to focus on schoolwork from home so that I didn't fall behind. Overall, my experince was wonderful and I wish I could go back and relive it all again.

Why would you encourage others to participate in the exchange?

I would encourage others to participate in this exchange because it will greatly improve your confidence both in your German skills and yourself. While it was scary traveling to a foreign country alone, it really improved my self confidence. While it is important to try to speak as much German as possible while over there, it is comforting to know that a majority of the German population also speaks English, so if your German isn't great you'll still be able to communicate with others. Lastly, the connections you make with others is priceless. It's nice to know that I'll always have a second family in Germany that I can visit anytime.

What are some personal benefits or skills that you gained from participating?

Personal benefits I gained from this experience is the ability to connect with others. I was able to make some really good friends while in Germany, despite our language barriers. This experience also helped my self-confidence, as well as my independence. I was able to travel around Mainz and to other cities entirely independently, and even talk to others in German without help! Lastly, it will improve your German speaking and listening skills, as well as your understanding of the culture!

Do you continue to keep in touch with your exchange student and/or their family?

Yes, I still keep in touch with my student and their family. We have a group chat that we communicate through often, and I personally text my exchange student frequently. My family and I are actually traveling to Germany this summer to visit them! We hopefully plan to have them over to Canada one year, and maybe even do a group holiday in the future!

What is some advice you would give to future participants?

Advice I would give to future students is be patient and understanding, and communicate regularly. It can be difficult trying to balance everything, especially when you're the one hosting. It is important to communicate your needs and feelings, but also be patient and try to understand how your student might be feeling as well. If you keep that in mind, everything should work out well and result in an amazing experience!