«An exchange year is a huge opportunity»
It was the best decision of his life - Lars Reinfried is convinced of that. After completing his apprenticeship as a chef, the trained chef spent a year abroad in England. «The fact that I'm now doing a commercial apprenticeship definitely has something to do with this experience,» says the 19-year-old.
Many young people dream of spending a year at school abroad. But when is the best time? Which country is the right one? How do you organise an exchange year? And what happens if the host family isn't right? First things first: «exchange year» is a term that no longer really fits. It dates back to the post-war period, when young people were seen as the best mediators between different cultures and two families in different countries exchanged their young people for a certain period of time. «Today, I exchange my experience for the experience of another, new culture,» says Guido Frey, Managing Director of the umbrella organisation for the promotion of youth exchanges Intermundo.
Which programmes are available?
There are countless opportunities for young people to gain experience abroad: Holiday language courses, voluntary work or involvement in international organisations. The exchange year is intended for young people who have completed their compulsory schooling and are now attending a short-term grammar school or cantonal school, are doing an apprenticeship or have already completed one.
High school students most frequently go on an exchange year. «The ideal time is in year 4 of the long-term grammar school or year 2 of the short-term grammar school, when the young people are 16 or 17 years old,» says Kurt Büchler, Vice Principal and Head of Student Exchange at the Alte Kantonsschule Aarau. A year abroad is also possible during an apprenticeship, but the apprenticeship is interrupted and the student must continue where they left off on their return. A gap year after primary school is also possible. «My advice here is to already have an apprenticeship beforehand,» says Guido Frey. Otherwise, there is a risk that the young person will not find an apprenticeship on their return. It is also important to discuss the exchange year with the future training supervisor. «Many companies welcome a stay abroad, as the apprentice comes back with a rucksack full of experience and new language skills.»
What are the requirements for an exchange year?
Guido Frey advises anyone who is unsure whether they can cope with a year away from home to try out a shorter stay abroad during their holidays first. «You have to be keen to engage with a different language and different world views, enjoy talking to other people and be open to new things.» Pupils need to have a great deal of independence. Mental resilience is also important - after all, it's about asserting yourself abroad.
If a young person at the cantonal school expresses the wish to spend time abroad, they can contact the teacher responsible for student exchanges at their school. At Kurt Büchler's cantonal school in Aarau, for example, an initial information event is held in August, i.e. in the first year at the «Kanti». Various providers will introduce themselves there. The prorector advises working with a non-commercial organisation. «Commercial providers pay their host families, for example. Therefore, in addition to the cultural exchange, there is also an economic interest behind it.» Intermundo works exclusively with non-commercial providers.
A doctorate is often a prerequisite for being able to go on an exchange year.
In order to start the adventure abroad, the school must grant the student leave of absence for one year. The requirements for this vary from school to school. Often the prerequisite is that the student has passed their doctorate. And an average grade of 4.75 is usually required in order to be able to return to the same class after the school year.
"The majority skip the year, but the students have to work through the missed material on their own. Some already do this during their stay abroad," says Kurt Büchler. «High schools in the USA have far lower academic requirements, which is why there is often time for this.» Some cantonal schools also offer support and bridging courses during the autumn holidays for exchange students who have returned home.
Once a suitable organisation has been selected, a kind of application process takes place. «It is important that the student writes a letter of motivation that is as solid and precise as possible and is well documented. Certificates and a reference from the class teacher are also included,» says Kurt Büchler. Finally, the exchange organisation works with the young person to see which countries are suitable and looks for a suitable host family and school. A preparatory weekend is organised, during which the exchange students receive useful information and are prepared for their year abroad and in the foreign culture.
Where should I go on my exchange year?
Guido Frey advises not to decide on the host country in advance. «I would leave it completely open and not be guided by fixed ideas.» Even the language of the country is not the most important factor. If parents realise during the preparation that their child is overwhelmed, they can provide support. But too much influence is not advisable: «I remember a father who had been to Ohio himself as a child and was now of the opinion that his son absolutely had to go there too. My advice is to let the children make their own choice together with the organisation. It's not about fulfilling the parents' wishes.»
The most popular destinations are English-speaking countries. Exotic destinations such as China or a South American country can also be very exciting. Stays in the countryside are often more eventful than in a big city, for example. «Young people are exotic in the countryside, everyone wants to meet them. They also immerse themselves much more deeply in the local culture in rural areas,» says Guido Frey. An exchange year is not cheap: according to Frey, a one-year stay costs between 15,000 and 24,000 francs, depending on the country. The figures vary depending on the provider.
«Everything is fascinating at the beginning, but after two to three months there is usually a phase of boredom.»
Guido Frey, Managing Director of the umbrella organisation for the promotion of youth exchanges Intermundo.
When it finally starts, exchange students are usually pretty nervous. The first few days are tough, everything is new and unfamiliar and there is no one you know. «Everything is fascinating, every day is different, exciting,» says Guido Frey. After two to three months, there is usually a period of boredom and the young people miss their colleagues at home and their families.
Sometimes the exchange students slip into a crisis. This is when good support is crucial. «The organisation in Switzerland works together with a local exchange organisation,» says Guido Frey, «and a local employee looks after the teenager.» The turning point often comes after six months, as in Anne's case. By then, the teenagers speak the language well, have made their first friends and know their way around their new environment.
Parental restraint required
For parents, an exchange year for their child is not an easy thing - and not just financially. They have to let go of their daughter or son, but would often, especially at the beginning, prefer to travel with them or at least have Skype conversations every day. However, too much contact is not desirable. «It's important that parents don't send WhatsApp messages every day,» says Guido Frey. The young person must be able to settle in at a foreign location and not be constantly reminded of home. The Managing Director of Intermundo advises ignoring the family chat and making fixed contact arrangements, such as a phone call, email or message once a week: «Constantly switching between here and home is not advisable. Otherwise you deprive the young person of the chance to engage with the new situation.»
Lars Reinfried confirms this: «During my time in England, I had little contact with Switzerland. My parents constantly wanted to know how I was doing. But it was important for me to gain experience in a new environment and not be constantly reminded of home. That's why my relationship with my girlfriend at the time soon came to an end. I didn't have time for homesickness and things like that.» Parents of exchange students usually also have to sign a document in which they hand over certain rights and some of their responsibilities to the host parents, for example in the event of medical emergencies.
Of course, typical age-related problems also occur here and there: Alcohol excesses, excessive going out, disciplinary problems, difficulties with the host family or school. As a general rule, exchange students must adhere to certain rules. Going out until midnight every night is taboo. Travelling around the country alone is also prohibited. Depending on the situation, a student may also be sent home. And if things don't work out with the family abroad, local people will find a new solution. «They help to find another family if this is no longer possible,» says Guido Frey. It is very rare for an exchange year to be cancelled, for example because the homesickness is too great. «That can happen, but it is often associated with great disappointment.» However, it can never be completely ruled out.
Irritations after returning home?
The return home should not be underestimated. It is often associated with a culture shock. «The young people have changed a lot, but everything has stayed the same at home," says Kurt Büchler. "That's irritating for them.» Some are also a little arrogant and look down on their peers who have stayed at home. After a few months, this settles down again. Meetings with the organisation and other former exchange students are helpful. A year abroad is an adventure and is almost always seen as a personal success by the young people. «An exchange year has almost only positive aspects,» says Zurich psychiatrist Mario Olgiati, whose daughter also completed an exchange year. In the beginning, the young people have to fight their way through and endure being alone. But then it turns out well: «Everyone I know has returned home well and has benefited enormously.»
A year abroad can be a beneficial experience, especially during puberty.
At 17, young people are in a difficult phase of their development. An experience abroad is a godsend: «School often bores them and they slowly realise what it means to grow up,» says Olgiati. «An experience abroad revitalises teenagers and breaks them out of their rut. The children have to face the unknown, open up and come to terms with themselves. And they get to know themselves anew. These are all experiences for life.»
The five most important points:
- Sich rund ein Jahr vor Abreise informieren: über die Schule und über Intermundo, Dachorganisation zur Förderung von Jugendaustausch
- Kosten abklären (Stipendien)
- Bestes Alter: 16 bis 17 Jahre
- Wer kann gehen? Kantonsschüler, Lehrlinge, Jugendliche im Zwischenjahr nach der Schule
- Ein Austauschjahr ist nicht nur etwas für die stärksten Schülerinnen und Schüler
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Alternatives to apprenticeships and grammar schools: The vast majority of young people opt for an apprenticeship or secondary school. However, there are other educational options ...