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Teresa studied abroad in Ireland

Teresa from Austria was on exchange in Ireland.

When I was 17 years old, I had the amazing opportunity to spend five months in Ireland on an exchange with STS. It was a transformative experience that taught me about a new culture, gave me lifelong friendships, and provided countless, unforgettable moments.

Why Ireland?

I decided to go to Ireland because it isn’t the typical country people go to for an exchange (like for example the USA). Besides that, I love animals and I the thought of being surrounded by sheep and cows.

School Life

I attended an all-girls school with a completely different school system from what I was used to. The teachers were fantastic, as they communicated with us on a personal level rather than maintaining a strict and distant teacher persona. This made the learning environment much more engaging and enjoyable.

Free Time Adventures

There was always something to do in my free time. I loved taking the bus to the nearest big town for shopping or hopping on a train to explore Dublin. I lived quite far away from Dublin – 5 hours with the train – but it was still enjoyable. Sometimes, I walked the dog to the beach, and we even swam in the sea once it got a bit warmer (it was still cold 😊). I also took riding lessons, which was a wonderful way to connect with Ireland’s equestrian culture. On quieter days, I enjoyed visiting cafés with friends, having warm drinks, and good conversations.

Friendships

Making friends was surprisingly easy. It seemed a bit hard in the beginning, but once I opened up a bit, I made many close friendships.

I made most of my friends in school. Many other exchange students attended my school, and we formed a close bond almost immediately. We spent nearly every weekend together, exploring and enjoying what Ireland had to offer.

My Host Family

My host family was incredible, consisting of two host parents, two young host brothers (aged 6 and 8), an Italian host sister, and a lovely golden retriever. Living in a rural area surrounded by cows and horses was a peaceful escape from the busyness of life. It was especially exciting for me to be the “big sister” for once, as I am the youngest in my Austrian family. My host family made me feel at home from the very beginning. I spent a lot of time with my host family, which added another layer of connection and joy to my experience.

Challenges and Lessons Learned

There were many differences to adapt to, whether it was the school system, family dynamics, or the Irish way of life in general. At times, it was overwhelming, but I quickly learned that the best approach was to embrace these changes wholeheartedly. By doing so, I was able to enjoy countless wonderful experiences and grow from the challenges.

Final Thoughts

To anyone considering studying abroad, I would wholeheartedly encourage you to go for it. It’s an opportunity to create beautiful memories that will last a lifetime, forge close friendships, and become a part of a new family. The experience will not only broaden your horizons but also leave you with countless stories to cherish forever.

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Edoardo studied abroad in Finland

Nine years ago, I embarked on a year-long high school exchange program in Espoo, Finland.

Inspired by a Swiss classmate who spent a year in Italy through STS, I was eager to experience life abroad and immerse myself in a new culture. Finland, with its stunning natural landscapes and innovative education system, seemed the perfect destination.

School in Finland

I attended Kuninkaantien Lukio, an institution that left a lasting impression on me. The school was exceptional, with supportive staff and a comprehensive program that catered to a variety of interests and needs. The environment was welcoming, and I quickly found myself feeling at home.

Free time

In my spare time, I often socialized with new friends, many of whom I met through my host brother. Being the same age, he and his friends made it easy for me to integrate and build meaningful relationships. Living with a host family was incredibly beneficial, allowing me to learn about Finnish customs and traditions firsthand.

Host family life

The most significant advantage of my host family was having siblings in my age group, which facilitated my adjustment to Finnish society. However, adapting to the Finnish diet and weather presented a challenge initially. Over time, I grew accustomed to these differences and came to appreciate them.

Expectations and memories

My exchange year surpassed all my expectations. I was not only greeted by warm and welcoming people but also enchanted by Finland’s breathtaking landscapes. One of my fondest memories is a weekend trip to Levi in Lapland with my host family and friends. Despite the sauna being unavailable, we bravely jumped into a hole in the ice, an exhilarating experience we did not regret.

Recommendations and tips

I wholeheartedly recommend an exchange year abroad. It offers the invaluable opportunity to meet new people, broaden one’s horizons, and gain a fresh perspective on the world. My top advice is to research your assigned city or town thoroughly before you arrive. Familiarising yourself with local spots and landmarks can help you settle in more quickly.

This exchange year had a profound impact on my life. It broadened my worldview, boosted my confidence, and ultimately led to my decision to live abroad. I chose STS for my exchange program based on my classmate’s recommendation, and I would enthusiastically endorse them again for their smooth and accommodating process.

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Franziska went on high school in the Netherlands

Franziska from Austria spent a year abroad in the Netherlands.

I chose the Netherlands because I felt drawn to this country from the beginning and wanted to know what it was all about.

My host family

I got along well with my host family straight away and was included in everyday family life and on all excursions. After a short time, I felt at home with them, and it was a really familiar environment. My host family also helped me a lot to learn the language and they were very patient with me. When I finally was able to speak Dutch fluently, they were very proud of me. Even after my year abroad, I still have a lot of contact with my host family.

About school

My teachers were very understanding of the fact that I didn’t have the same level as the rest of my classmates at the beginning and tried to give me the best possible support. Since everything was in Dutch, it took me a few weeks to get used to it.

My friends

Even before I flew to the Netherlands, I was in contact with a few classmates, and they accompanied me for the first few weeks. They ended up becoming my best friends. I also met up with the other STS students in the Netherlands and did a lot with them!

I recommend going!

I would recommend everyone to go on a high school year to attend a local school and live with a host family. Not only do you get to know a new culture, but you also learn a lot about yourself and develop yourself further.

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Neo was on an exchange year in China

Neo Mossbäck from Sweden went to China for his 10-month high school exchange.

I went on a high school exchange for many reasons; to improve my Mandarin, practice independent living, and make contacts across the world. But perhaps the most important reason is that I always thought that China was a very important country to understand.

Adapting to a new environment

Me and my fellow exchange students quickly adapted to the new environment and rules of the school, and very soon it started to feel like home. The school was a lot bigger than any school in Sweden, but upon arrival, it did not feel daunting at all, since everyone was very friendly and curious. Me and my fellow exchange students grew incredibly close bonds since we were all trying to figure out this new country we’d thrown ourselves into. We often had to rely on each other to make the most of it.

Life in China

The most surprising thing about life in China was how it was not nearly as different as I thought it would be from life in Sweden. However, upon arriving in China, the environment feels so unique and so different from any other country that I’ve been to before. During the first couple months, I could spend hours just walking around looking at various neighborhoods and streets, tasting some local foods along the way.

I think I’m an exception in that the exchange year went almost exactly like I expected. I got to do and experience exactly the things that I had planned to do. That does not mean that I didn’t have any challenges; for example, I had to change host families twice due to their timetables changing. However, I’m ultimately quite happy with how things transpired, since I got the chance to get close to families that I otherwise wouldn’t have, and I got to experience living in different neighborhoods.

My learnings

The most important thing I learned during this year was to be myself. Being a foreigner in China, I stood out quite a lot when I was in public. However, after just a short amount of time, I got used to standing out, and I started to feel comfortable like never before. I then automatically started to apply this feeling to other aspects of my life as well.

A favorite memory

One of my favorite memories is when all exchange students performed in front of the entire school. The audience consisted of over 7000 people! I look back very fondly at our time of preparing, performing, and celebrating our success afterward. And, I haven’t felt stage fright since.

Could you recommend an exchange?

I would absolutely recommend anyone to go on an exchange. It has been one of, if not the most, developmental experiences of my life. Studying abroad is great if you want a reality check on what other countries and other cultures are really like. The thing you will cherish the most however is the people you meet.

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Alejandro chose to study in Austria

Alejandro from Monterrey, Mexico went on an exchange to Austria.

Why did you decide to go on an exchange?

I decided to come to Austria as an exchange student for one year because it seemed very fun and exciting. I have been in Austria for almost a year now, and I will finally go back to my family in less than two weeks.

New lessons learned

This year has been very interesting and fun. I have learned a lot of new things and met many new people. The school was very nice, and I also made many new friends very quickly. During the year, I faced many challenges—some easy and some very hard—but it was fun because each one taught me something new.

Favourite memories

Throughout the year, I also had a lot of fun skiing with my friends in winter, going to pool parties in summer, and attending many Austrian festivals. I will never forget the feeling of eating a schnitzel at the top of a mountain with my host family and becoming a better skier. Going out with friends was also very fun since there was almost always something exciting to do. The Austrian festivals were amazing; they taught me a lot about the culture and people.

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Valentina went on exchange to Denmark

Valentina from Switzerland spent her exchange in Denmark.

How it all started

In April 2018, my mom and I took a trip to Copenhagen during Easter break. I had fallen in love with this country and on the last day, I finally gathered the nerve to ask her the big question:

“Mom… what if I did an exchange semester?”

She didn’t react at all, for what felt for me like an eternity but was really only a minute, and then she looked at me and answered with her own question:

“Where?”

“Here?”

How it went

And that’s how it went. Eight months later, I was on a flight to Denmark, heading to my host family. Instead of ending up in Copenhagen, I found myself in a tiny village with just 500 people. Surprisingly, I ended up liking it more. It gave me more chances to bond with my host family. I even started dancing with my host mom every Monday and occasionally picked up my host siblings from school and kindergarten. It was definitely a unique experience, especially since I’m an only child at home. Having younger siblings around was a whole new world for me, but I enjoyed it. The connection I formed with my host family was special, and I visit every year.

The exchange changed my life and it was the start of something new

Fast forward five years, and that exchange experience changed my life. It was the start of something new. I always say, I didn’t change that much during, but more, in the time after my exchange. I switched schools and started putting more and more effort into fulfilling my childhood dream – traveling the world.

It paid off. In the winter of 2022, I embarked on a six-month journey through Southeast-Asia and as of right now, I am sitting in a café in the middle of Rio de Janeiro, two months into my next adventure.

That exchange semester wasn’t just a blip in my life; it set the stage for a whole new chapter filled with exploration and self-discovery.

Thank you, STS!

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Leona studied abroad on high school in Argentina

Leona from the Netherlands spent her exchange in Argentina.

I’ve always had a lust for traveling. When I was a little kid, I dreamt of moving to the United States, but turns out, I ended up falling hard for Argentina. Initially I went on exchange because I love learning about different cultures and meeting new people. But looking back, it feels like I was searching for a place to truly belong because, truth to be told, I never quite felt at home in my own country. I’m happy to say I found my home, my vibe, my personality – it’s all Argentina!

How was it to live with a host family?

It’s crazy how quickly I felt at home – within the first day of arriving at my new family’s doorstep! My host family was so much fun to be around, each member bringing their own unique charm to the table. My host mother was a true diva, adding glamour and energy to every moment. My host brother, now my lifelong best friend, was a caring soul. He always made sure I felt good and was having fun during my exchange year. I truly couldn’t have done it without him. And my host sister, with her goofy and confident attitude, filled every day with laughter. Despite all the challenges in their life, they were the kindest and most welcoming people I have ever met. I will never forget everything they have done for me.

How was school?

The school was so much fun. I went to a public school and wow, that surely was different! I still remember being in shock when I first got there, it looked like time had stood still. Everyone was still playing outside, having fun, being kids. Yeah, it was no fancy school. But I wouldn’t have wanted it in any other way.

Nobody spoke English so my English teacher took me to different classes and had everyone do ‘interviews’ with me. She would translate everything they said and asked. Those days were the most fun and interesting days of my life. I felt like a celebrity! People would come up to me and ask if they could take a picture with me or if they could get a hug.

Interestingly, I never had to hit the books much – I don’t think I took a single test. 😊 My classmates were fantastic, helping me learn Spanish, though our ‘active learning’ mostly involved lots of laughs and games.

Was it easy/hard to get friends?

In Argentina, making friends was easy, but finding meaningful connections took time. Since the start everyone was really friendly and tried to talk to me, I would come home every day with tons of new friends.

During the first part of my exchange, I struggled with finding “my” people. But when I did, it felt like I had won the lottery. My friend group in Argentina was nothing short of extraordinary. Each person has a unique place in my heart, the connection I have with them is truly special. Their humor became a daily source of joy, cheering me up in the most delightful ways. Besides the laughter, we shared a bond that allowed me to open up, cry, and be vulnerable, knowing they’d be there to comfort and support me.

They weren’t just special to me, they’re an irreplaceable part of me and my time in Argentina. They are my favorite chapter!

What was a big challenge for you? How did you conquer it?

My biggest challenge was definitely learning Spanish. I stepped on the plane to Argentina not knowing a single word in Spanish. Fast forward to now, I speak it fluently!

At first, I found myself comparing my progress to other exchange students who seemed to learn the language much quicker. A piece of advice? Never compare yourself to others! Once I stopped feeling sorry for myself, I took some Spanish classes provided by the organization. It was a real turning point for me, I quickly learned the language after.

One day you’ll realize, “Wow, I can speak Spanish”, and since that day it opened up countless opportunities. Trust me, overcoming the language barrier takes some effort, but it’s nothing you should be worried about.

What was the best thing about your exchange?

Probably the hardest question yet to answer. Can I just say everything? My exchange was literal perfection – not to say it didn’t come without its challenges.

But first and foremost, the people. It’s truly incredible how much love Argentinians have to give. Every day being greeted with hugs and kisses, playing around, having fun. It’s life changing to see how kind people treat each other, and how well they can express their love. People in The Netherlands can surely learn a lot from it!

Secondly, I have got to go with the dancing. You don’t want to know how many tears from joy I’ve had from seeing or dancing those traditional dances. All I feel at those moments is pure magic.

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Johan chose to study in Japan

Johan from Norway is on high school exchange in Tokyo, Japan. Here’s his story.

I was not prepared to gain such a deep understanding

I left Norway with a vague idea about what I was going to learn and experience. I had heard stories from other exchange students that you grow and make a lot of friends, but I was not prepared to gain such a deep understanding of the Japanese culture, the people, and myself. I have grown, learned, and achieved more these past 6 months than I have in 3 years at home. Up until this part of my journey, I have shared tons of amazing, good, bad, and sad memories with people that I will always remember. I have made lifelong friends; people I can now call a part of my family.

The Japanese have truly changed my way of thinking

When I first came to Japan, I promised myself to try to do things outside my comfort zone. Every day I leave the house to visit a new and different restaurant or a famous building, meet someone, or work some small jobs like teaching English, working on a grape farm, or helping at a Japanese festival. The Japanese have truly changed my way of thinking in a lot of different areas. Their thoughts on happiness, school, freedom, how to act toward others, and much more, are extremely fascinating and have completely changed me. It is of course not always easy living alone in a foreign country and I have gone through many trials. But with patience and support, I have pushed through it and grown because of it.

People in other cultures often have a different way of thinking than you do. My advice to future exchange students is to learn to understand what that way of thinking is, learn about people, about humans, and you will grow a lot.

I am so glad I was able to go on this exchange

If I traveled back in time and told myself two years ago that today I would be on exchange in Japan, an adventure of a lifetime, being able to speak Japanese, having amazing friends, having a dream that I am doing my best to achieve while feeling a deep sense of gratefulness and love for my family and friends, I would not believe what just came out of my mouth. I am so glad I was able to go on this exchange. This fascinating place on earth, with a culture, a way of thinking, and a language that is completely different from mine, has changed my life for the better. Thank you so much.

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