" Going on an exchange is a big decision to make . It means going to a different country and living with complete strangers , as well as being thrust into a new culture with new people . Before my exchange , I was nervous , scared , but I was also excited to have the chance to experience something entirely new .
My exchange started with a long 11-hour flight . After arriving , I immediately travelled to my new school to meet the other exchange students and go to class . This was a nerve-wracking moment for me . As it turns out , all my worrying was for nothing . My classmates were all super nice , even if they were a little shy to begin with .
Then came the part I was most worried about - meeting my host family . I think an important part of the relationship that formed between my host family and me was willingness to learn and communicate . Although there was a language barrier , we all did our best to chat and talk about Japan and New Zealand , or what interested us . I can say that I will really miss my host family and although we only spent a short amount of time together , we really bonded well , and I now have another home in Japan .
SOCIAL HUB
Your new high school overseas will be the social hub of your exchange . This is where you will make new friends , not only with the local students , but maybe with other international students from around the world .
You will share stories and experiences , learn together and forge lifelong bonds that will mean you come back from your exchange with a social circle of close friends situated all over the globe .
Japanese school was very different . At the school I went to , there were seven periods in a day , and a 10-minute break between classes , which I ’ m pretty sure everyone treated as nap time . Club activities are also a daily thing . I would take the bus and then train home on my own . Japanese transport is very convenient and on time , although more expensive than in New Zealand . The students in Japan also clean the school themselves . This was a new thing for me since in New Zealand I had gotten so used to cleaners cleaning the school . I found that cleaning time was a time where I got to make friends and talk with my classmates .
What I got from this experience was that you should always give everything a go . I got to try so many new things in Japan , some of which I liked , some of which I didn ’ t , but all in all I ’ m glad I decided to try . Did I like sea cucumber ? No . Was I glad I tried it ? Yes . Be open to new things , new foods , new experiences . You never know if you ’ ll like it until you try .
Saying goodbye and leaving Japan was probably the hardest part of my exchange . My host family truly treated me as a member of their own family and made me feel welcome from the first day . My friends and classmates in Japan were all very kind and welcoming , even though they didn ’ t know me .
@ YOUREDUCATIONABROAD @ YOUREDUCATION . CO . NZ
Amy went to Japan
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