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Matteo was on exchange in Germany

Matteo was on exchange in Germany

Hi! I’m Matteo from Italy and I’m 19. In August 2022 I started my exchange experience in Germany. I stayed until June 2023, so it was an entire school year.

I chose Germany because I used to study German as a foreign language at school and the exchange program was the best opportunity to improve my language skills and my independence.

The school I attended was very welcoming and I immediately felt part of it, although it was not easy to make friends.

The best thing of my exchange year was my host family. We enjoyed our time together and we used to visit new places and cities, such as Hamburg and Bremen. A very nice memory is the 18th birthday party they organized for me: it made me feel special.

At the very beginning it was very difficult to adapt to the German lifestyle because the culture shock I experienced was unexpected, but thanks to the things I’ve seen and done it was easier to fit into the new routine.

At the end of my exchange year, I felt so complete, and I knew I was a better person than the one I was before. So, it is obvious for me to recommend going on a high school exchange because it is an incredible chance to get a new perspective on life and become a mature person.

I will always be grateful to STS for letting me experience all this. They were always ready to satisfy my requests and to make me feel at home (the welcome party was the best way to get to know other exchange students).

To the people reading, I just want to say that you should not be afraid of trying something new like the exchange year is. Make as many experiences as you can, because they will be part of your personal growth and they will help you to understand what you really want to do with your life.

So come on, let your exchange year begin!

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Paula chose to study in Italy

Paula chose to study in Italy

Paula Binder from Austria went on high school exchange to Italy 5 years ago.

Five years ago, I decided to go for a one-semester high school exchange in Trento, Italy. This was a big decision for me, considering I usually felt homesick after only a few days away from home. A whole semester felt like forever.

But: It was absolutely the best decision I could have made! I had the time of my life, in a country that I already loved so much. Studying the most beautiful language in the world and meeting so many amazing people, while experiencing the essence of Italian life, was truly amazing. Trento will forever have a special place in my heart as my home away from home.

Learning a new language is one of the most enriching things you can do. Certainly, it can be very tough at the beginning. However, you will soon realize how much you have improved since your arrival.

Apart from improving my Italian, thanks to my experience abroad, I also became more confident and independent.

Choosing STS was the best decision. Thank you, STS!

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Alice studied abroad in Germany

Alice studied abroad in Germany

Alice from Italy spent a semester in Germany.

Hi, I'm Alice from Italy. I spent 5 months in Germany for my high school exchange.

Why did you choose to go on a high school year?

I chose this experience because I have always enjoyed traveling and learning. I wanted to meet new people, see new places, leave my comfort zone, and experience something new and different. Therefore, when I heard about the high school exchange program, I immediately decided to go for it.

Why did you choose to go to Germany for your exchange?

I decided to spend a semester in Germany because I often met people from Germany and was always interested in German culture. In addition, the university I want to attend has some classes in German. Finally, I live near countries where German is spoken, so speaking it is very useful.

Was it easy or hard for you to make friends?

At first, it was not easy to make friends, because of the language barrier, and also because I have a shy nature. After some time, when I got better with German, I was able to make good friends at school. In addition, I often met with a couple of girls from foreign countries. We had many fun moments together and we could understand each other's difficulties of living in a different country.

What are your main learnings from your time abroad?

I certainly improved my German, enriching it with local idioms and improving my pronunciation. But I think the best achievements concern the growth of my self-confidence because, with time, I was able to learn and do more and more things. I realized the importance of having the courage to try new things. What may seem impossible at first, is not. My time in Germany opened my mind because I met people with a culture and opinions very different from mine.

Why should anyone study abroad?

A study abroad experience allows you to grow, become independent, and increase your self-confidence. It allows you to meet new people, realities, and points of view that are different from those in your home country. In addition, you learn a new language and with it, you can fully understand your host country, which helps to open your mind.

How do you think your high school exchange will affect your future?

Certainly, this time abroad will influence my life, because it has given me the courage to undertake experiences and adventures that at first glance seem impossible. Moreover, it has made me discover the magic of traveling and learning about new cultures.

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Franziska went on high school in the Netherlands

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 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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Celina went on high school exchange to Germany

Celina went on high school exchange to Germany

Celina from Brazil spent a school year in Germany.

I was on exchange in Germany for ten months. I chose Germany because it is such a different culture from Brazil.

School and friends

My German school was very accommodating and welcoming. It was fairly easy to make new friends in Germany, although they were a bit reserved at first. But with time we got along well.

My host family

My host family and I got along very well, they even came over to Brazil this year. They made me feel like a part of the family. My host parents are very patient and since I had two host brothers who also did an exchange year we got along very well and became friends in no time.

Learnings

As a Brazilian my main learning from my time abroad is to be punctual and to be very organized with my time. The difference between Brazil and Germany that impacted me the most, and that I had the most trouble with, was the weather. I had mentally prepared for the cold, but the winds were brutal!

My expectations were all exceeded

I had high expectations for my exchange year, and they were all exceeded. I felt that the STS team really cared for me, and they were doing their best so that I could have an amazing year!

Overall, my year was great and I made friends from all over the world. I also made tons of awesome memories. One that sticks out the most was my first time painting easter eggs. They didn’t turn out very pretty, but I had lots of fun.

Recommendations

I would recommend everyone to go abroad, it changes your worldview, and it can open many doors in the future. Some advice for those who are going is to try out a bit of everything and don't be afraid to go. Throw yourself into the new culture, trust me you’ll learn a lot from it!

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Louisa went on exchange to New Zealand

Louisa went on exchange to New Zealand

Louisa from Austria was on exchange in New Zealand.

Hi! I’m Louisa from Austria. I spent a semester abroad in Auckland, New Zealand. This was the best thing I've done in my life so far. I was able to get to know new cultures, lifestyles, and languages, and I made countless new friends.

When I arrived in New Zealand

I still remember well when my adventure started on January 20th in wintry temperatures in Vienna-Schwechat. After a twenty-five-hour flight and two stopovers in Frankfurt and Singapore, I finally landed at the other end of the world, in the city of Auckland in New Zealand – 17,890 km away!

I arrived in summer because, in addition to the twelve-hour time difference, the seasons are also the opposite of Europe. I spent the first few days with STS in Auckland City, where we visited the Sky Tower and the Auckland War Memorial Museum. After the Welcome Days, everyone traveled on to their host families and I had to part with my last Austrian girlfriend.

My host families

During my stay, I lived with two host families. First, I was with a family that had moved to New Zealand from South Africa about a decade and a half ago and whose origins lie in India. My second host family consisted of my Italian host mother, my Māori host father, and their two young sons Giacomo and Nikau. During my time in New Zealand, I had three different host mates: Mika from Japan, Touch from Thailand, and Isabel from Norway.

My school

I attended Avondale College, one of the largest high schools in New Zealand with around 2,800 students and a very nice black and white school uniform. It offers a wide range of subjects and a large number of different sports teams, dance groups, choirs, and other activities. In addition to the "normal subjects", I also took subjects such as Dance, Health, and Outdoor Education. Outdoor Education is a special feature of New Zealand. It includes activities ranging from climbing to diving and is intended to prepare students for jobs in tourism. There were often festivals to get to know and celebrate different cultures and also various occasions such as the Talent Quest, where the students gathered during the lunch break.

Why New Zealand

An important reason why I chose New Zealand (Aotearoa) as my program country, is my interest in the unique Māori culture. The influence and significance that Māori culture has on the country can be seen in the national anthem and street signs written in English and Māori. But also in school, through the Māori honors at the assemblies, various "Māori" school subjects, and the school motto "Kohia ngā Taikākā". The "Haka", a traditional dance that is also performed at matches of the "All Blacks", the national rugby team, is known and loved worldwide.

Of course, I also had time to explore the beautiful flora and fauna of New Zealand on numerous hikes, trips, and beach visits. Another highlight was to visit the filming locations of the "Hobbit" and "Lord of the Rings" trilogies.

Finally…

The friendliness of the “Kiwis” will certainly remain in my heart, but also my gained independence. I will never forget this time and already look forward to visiting again during the Christmas holidays. But for now, I'm enjoying my family in Austria and… brown bread!

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Elena was on an exchange year in Italy

Elena was on an exchange year in Italy

Elena from Austria went to Italy for a year.

From the age of 13, I was very determined to do an exchange year.

At first, I thought of the obvious choice, the USA. But, after some consideration, I decided that even though the experience would certainly have been wonderful, I also wanted to learn a new language.

Ever since I was little, my family and I often went on vacation to the north of Italy. But I never managed to pick up the language. So, when the opportunity arose, I decided to take it and go to Italy for a year.

The language barrier

At first, the language barrier was very challenging, especially with my host family. But after 2 months it started becoming easier by the day. I would say around Christmas time, I actually started speaking Italian and making real friends.

A highlight

A highlight was the Model UN event that I was able to partake in. I made my best friends on the bus ride there. From then on, I hung out with them every Saturday evening and enjoyed being abroad even more. After my year, they actually came to visit me in Vienna, my hometown in Austria.

Saying goodbye

It was very hard saying goodbye to everyone, and I still miss all my newfound friends every day. Hopefully, I can visit them again soon.

It will be worth it!

All in all, I have to say, that moving abroad is quite a challenge, but the memories, the experiences, and the friends you make will definitely make it worth it.

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Ode went on exchange to Italy

Ode went on exchange to Italy

Ode van Daele, from Belgium was on exchange in Italy.

I always had it in my mind that I wanted to go to Italy. The language, the culture, the food, everything appealed to me. So, I went for a high school exchange for 3 months.

The three months flew by, and I never expected to get used to my new life in Italy so quickly. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities I have had, from my family in Belgium, my host family, friends, classmates, school in Italy, and from STS.

Life in Italy

I stayed in Savona, a town on the north coast of Italy. When I arrived at the airport, my host family was already waiting there, eager and excited to see me. My host family consisted of 2 parents and 3 sisters aged 10, 14, and 17. Thanks to my host family, I learned a huge amount and saw many beautiful places. They took me to Venice, Tuscany, Cinque Terre, and more!

I was quickly made very welcome by my sisters. They included me in their daily lives. I was in the same class as my eldest host sister, and she introduced me to all her friends. Thanks to the middle sister, I started scouting. The scouts were also very welcoming, and we even went to France together!

Learning Italian

In the beginning, it was difficult to follow the lessons properly because I didn't speak any Italian. But in cooperation with the school, I was able to take many Italian lessons, which helped me understand more and more. My sister also helped me with my homework.

Most of the Italian, I learned in my family though. In the beginning, we spoke English, but since not everyone could speak English, it was sometimes difficult to communicate, so I was soon obliged to try to speak Italian.

Differences between Italy and Belgium

Life in Belgium and Italy is very different. In Belgium, I live in the countryside, and in Italy I suddenly found myself in the city. The school day ends much earlier in Italy than in Belgium, so I had the whole afternoon to do something with the family, go to the beach, visit another city, or just go for an ice cream.

Learnings

I would recommend going on exchange to anyone, because I am convinced it is the best way to grow on a personal level. I learned that you have to dare to be open to new adventures and that spending time abroad is a great eye-opener. I feel better now than ever, and that is entirely thanks to all I learned in Italy.

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Grace studied abroad in the Netherlands

Grace studied abroad in the Netherlands

Grace from New Zealand was on exchange in the Netherlands.

I chose to go to The Netherlands, because my family is originally from here. I thought it would be great to learn the language, learn about the history, buildings, and experience all the food. I love the food! Especially bitterballen, pindakaas and oliebollen.

People have been very welcoming. The school is a lot bigger than what I’m used to, the teachers are nice and relaxed, the students are eager to learn, and everyone speaks English very well. I’m taking English, history, Dutch, maths, PE, religion and art. It’s interesting to see the class dynamics. I’ve noticed that classmates here tend to be a lot closer than in NZ.

My host family has been amazing. I’m especially close to my host sister; we have similar interests and do a lot of things together. My host parents love to travel around the country and show me new things, which I really appreciate. As a family we also have a board game night every week, which I love. The match with them has been perfect, and I’m 100% sure we will stay in touch and hopefully see each other soon again!

If I could give future Host Families advice, I would say: encourage your student to try everything. They might not love everything, but they will be thankful in the end that they’ve tried something new.

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Andrea chose to study in the Netherlands

Andrea chose to study in the Netherlands

Andrea from Italy was on exchange in the Netherlands.

When I was little, I traveled a lot with my family. When we visited The Netherlands, I felt drawn to this country. I could really see myself living there when I got older, so I decided to go on a high school exchange to The Netherlands.

My host family was amazing! They were so nice and helped me with everything. After only two weeks, I started to feel at home already! I loved spending Christmas with them, celebrating birthdays, going on trips, and having family dinners.

The school was sometimes hard, but the teachers were open to help and didn’t expect me to be at the same level as the other students right away since I had to get used to the Dutch language first.

Making friends at school was easy! People in Brabant are just very welcoming to exchange students.

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Abigail went on exchange to the Netherlands

Abigail went on exchange to the Netherlands

Abigail from Australia was on exchange in the Netherlands.

My mom was born in the Netherlands and part of my family still speaks Dutch, so going on exchange to the Netherlands to learn the language and understand the culture better, was great.

I felt at home with my host family immediately. I was in the same family as an Italian exchange student. It was actually great to share the exchange experience. Our host parents and older host sisters included us in everything: trips, holidays, activities, etc. And that’s what I would advise future Host Families as well: include your students as much as possible, but give them space to discover their own ‘Dutch life’ as well!

The school was great, the students and teachers were really nice. My English teacher introduced me to some girls in my class, who ended up becoming my best friends.

Although I had been to the Netherlands as a kid, I still had quite a culture shock. Part of that was me taking a bike to school every day! 😊

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