International
People Exchange
EXAMPLE OF EXCHANGE
WHAT DOES THE TYPICAL EXCHANGE LOOK LIKE?
An incredible experience begins when you join our project. You find our website, read the informations and join us (there are more options how to join). You send us a message with informations about you, about a person you are looking for, and with your contact. We will receive your message and we'll try to find you someone suitable to your request.
2. Receive an answer
After you send us a message (joining) you'll receive an answer. If we find you someone, we'll give you a contact to him (mostly email) and you can start writing. We may ask you some more questions to improve our choosing. Also, we'll ask you if you want to be published on this website in list of members. Thank our job is over, because you start writing with your new friend and everything depends on you.
3. Get to know each other
Now you and your new friend can write with each other (mail, skype, facebook) and you must get to know each other more, you must trust each other. You will see if you get along well or not. And if you don't, we'll try to find you someone else. But if you get along well and trust each other, you can do the next step.
4. Arrange an exchange
1. Join our project
Now, you know each other. So you can arrange an exchange. What will it look like? It depends on you, on your decision. But here is our recommendation. You arrange an exchange, set the date (for example summer holidays). You must arrange a lot of other things. You go to foreign country and you don't know where your friend lives. You arrive to some airport or bustop. So you have to arrange the way to your friend's house. He can pick you up or you can meet each other in another place. Then you must arrange an accommodation (your own room, only bed, mattress...), food (breakfast, lunch and dinner or just breakfast and dinner, etc. You also must arrange what will you do (visit some places, working, sport, etc.), but it can be a surprise :) Also very important is a length of your exchange (for example two weekds + two weeks). And if you live with your family, you should ask them for permission. You should also say to each other what to bring, what clothes are appropriate, etc.
5, Set off for the exchange
Now, your exchange is arranged and you can set off. Let's say you go by plane. You buy plane tickets, you pack up your things and you can go. Maybe your friend will come to your contry first, so you wait for his arriving. But in this situation you are the first. Your plane land in...for example Italy.
6. First day of your stay
You leave your airplane, take your baggage and meet your friend. You start talking with each other which improves your language skills. It's better than just writing. It's faster, you don't have so much time to thing about what you say. You and your friend will get to know each other way better. You leave an airport and go to your friend's house where you can unpack your things and settle in new place. Your amazing adventure begins. You are included in a common life of your friend, you are surrounded by some languages, you don't speak in your native language.
6. Enjoy your exchange
And now you can enjoy the exchange with your friend. You live and eat with his family, you talk with them. Your friend show you his typical life, his city, his culture and traditions. Just everything. That depends on yourself, what you want to do. You can take some trips, visit monuments, eat in restaurants, work, swim in the sea, meet new people (for example friends of your friend), do sport, walk in nature... It doesn't matter, just enjoy your exchange. You can just live like a common person in this country. And after some time (1-4 weeks) your stay in this country ends. But it isn't over at all, because now your friend goes to your country.
7. Leave a country of your friend
Now you must leave your friend's country. There are two options- your friend can go with you to your country or come to your country later (for example after one week). It depends on you again. You leave with an amazing experience you will never forget. And now it's on you to prepare a good stay to your friend.
8. Welcome your friend in your country
Now it's the same as when you were in your friend's country, but you must show him your country, etc. It's contrarywise.
9. Say goodbye to your friend
And now your exchange is over and you have to say goodbye to your friend