International Student Exchange Program
International Student Exchange Program
This year and last year, students from ACS have participated in an international student exchange program. There have been good experiences and bad experiences, but all agree that it had many benefits for them. So far, ACS students have only participated in exchanges to France and Switzerland. This year, I am participating. Last year, I heard about the program, and met some of the exchange students. This was when I first became interested. I wanted to travel, meet new people, and learn a new language. I am only halfway through my exchange, but so far, I have done much more than that. In August, my exchange partner, Yvonne Quain, arrived in Canada to spend three months with my family. I was extremely nervous when we picked her up at the airport. What if we couldn't stand each other? What if she couldn't understand anything I was saying? It turns out I had nothing to worry about. She understood almost everything I said, in fact, I can only hope that I will be able to speak French half as well as she speaks English. When she left in October, I had not only learned a lot, I had gained a friend. Next month, I will leave to spend three months in Switzerland with Yvonne and her family, and I am hoping that the second half will be just as good as the first, and a even better learning experience.
The exchange program is not for everyone. Some people just don't cope well with being away from home. Some can't keep up with their school work while they are gone, because despite the fact that they are only in school for about a month and a half of second semester, they still have to keep up with all their work on their own, plus the work assigned in the school they attend while they are away. Last year, there were four participants from ACS, and this year there are three. In the future, I hope that more people will participate, because it is great opportunity. In my opinion, and the opinion of many others I have spoken to, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages by far.
