Your exchange student’s arrival date is approaching, and you’re excited and maybe even a little nervous about integrating a new family member into your home. Adjusting to a new country and culture can be challenging for exchange students. Now is a great time to think about things you can do to make them feel comfortable in their new home. This exchange is an opportunity for mutual learning and enrichment. A warm welcome helps you build the foundation for a wonderful semester or year together!
Before your exchange student arrives, create a small gift basket with things they might need or items related to their home country (such as local foods or snacks). Consider including a welcome note, brochures about local attractions or activities, information about your state, a neighborhood map, and the school they will attend. Make sure they have all the essentials they need to feel at home. They will appreciate this after their long flight!
This is your first time meeting your exchange student in person, and first impressions matter! Making a welcome sign with their name on it and bringing a small gift or post-flight snack for them to enjoy will make them feel special. They will likely be exhausted from traveling, so make sure not to plan too much for their arrival day.
When you bring your exchange student home for the first time, take them on a house tour. Try to anticipate questions someone new to your home might have since it can be challenging for them to know what to ask. Show them each room and explain what you use it for. For example, point out if your family eats in the kitchen or living room, etc. Explain how to use appliances and write down things like Wi-Fi passwords or garage codes they might need. Be patient, explain things slowly, and ask if they have questions so they can follow along. Giving your exchange student this information up front will help them tremendously in adjusting to daily life in your home.
Give your exchange student a few days to recover from their travels and adjust to their new environment before throwing a welcome party. Otherwise, this can be overwhelming. A welcome party is a great way to help them meet people in a relaxed setting. It allows them to meet new faces while giving your family an activity to plan together.
Now that your exchange student has arrived, treat them as if they were part of the family. Fully integrate them into your life by introducing them to family and friends. Invite them to family activities such as shared dinners, weekend adventures, or game nights. The more you integrate them into your life, the more enriching the exchange experience will be for both of you!
Regarding household rules and expectations, treat your exchange student like a family member, not a guest. If your children adhere to a specific curfew, complete daily chores, and participate in daily family dinners, set these exact expectations for your exchange student. Due to cultural differences, they might need help understanding why you have specific guidelines. Explaining the reason behind household rules or family routines will help them appreciate these guidelines and understand that abiding by your rules is a way for them to integrate better into your family. Communicate rules as family agreements and not as impositions.
Remember that due to cultural and family differences, your exchange student may not have had these same expectations in their own home. You may need to demonstrate how to do certain chores. If your household rules are flexible, invite your exchange student to participate in creating these rules. This can be especially helpful if you don’t have children and want to ensure your rules fit their lifestyle.
Let them know that you’re open to any questions they might have! Keeping the line of communication open around rules and expectations is critical for making cohabitation smoother and more enjoyable for everyone.
Showing a genuine interest in your exchange student’s local customs and traditions will encourage them to open up to you. Learn about their favorite traditional meals and the holidays they celebrate at home. Share your family’s traditions and American customs with them as well. This will give you the chance to participate in these traditions together! You can organize themed nights where both you and your exchange student cook traditional dishes or have them show you how to celebrate their holidays. This mutual cultural exchange can be a fun bonding experience for your exchange student and your family.
Your exchange student may not be fluent in English and may feel self-conscious about speaking a new language. Since it may take some time for them to feel confident having full-fledged conversations in English, you can use other methods such as a translator app, sticky notes, or body language and hand signals to interact with them. You can use sticky notes to label household objects that your exchange student doesn’t know the words for.
Learn about your exchange student’s favorite subjects and activities and encourage them to participate in related activities at school. Helping them find clubs related to their interests will make them make friends and feel supported as they adjust to school in the United States.
Remember that it will take time for your exchange student to adapt to their new environment. They will likely experience some culture shock and confusion around cultural norms. They will likely make mistakes, so be gentle when correcting them. Offer reassurance and a listening ear as they adjust to their new life for the next few months.
Welcoming an exchange student into your home can be an eye-opening and rewarding experience. However, bridging cultural differences and language barriers requires empathy and, sometimes, hard work. By taking these steps to bond with your exchange student and making them feel at home, you will bridge these gaps and create an enriching exchange experience for both of you. The bonds you form with them over the next few months or the next year will make this experience fulfilling for both of you.