Exchange Student Survival Kit

By Bettina Hansel and Lucy Shahar

Book Overview

The much-awaited second edition Study abroad has never been so popular. Students are embarking on life-changing adventures, and they need some tried and true advice. The Exchange Student Survival Kit has become the essential guide for young people traveling abroad, helping them better understand the unique experience of international exchange programs. More important, it shows students how to avoid many common misunderstandings and problems that can occur in the course of their adjustment to a new culture, a new family, a new school and a new community. Based on her years of research and professional involvement with AFS Intercultural Programs, Dr. Hansel has filled the book with examples taken from the experiences of dozens of exchange students from a broad spectrum of cultures. This much-awaited new edition includes:
- New communications technology as it affects the experience: e-mail, instant messaging, cell phones, online games and blogs and information searches.
- Important advice on personal safety and pressing concerns for parents and students in light of war, terrorism and crime.
- Changes in society and family life that affect travelers: fast food replacing family meals, a new emphasis on religious beliefs, consumerism and globalism.
For students going abroad, the Survival Kit is the first thing to pack

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1931930317
• ISBN13: 9781931930314
• Release Date: July 2007
• Publisher: Nicholas Brealey Publishing
• Length: 166 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

The perfect book for exchange students & host families

I've been involved in high school foreign exchange student programs for over 25 yrs. I have purchased a LOT of copies of the older version (because they are less $$). Every year I loan my families that will be hosting a copy for them to read. It helps them to understand what a student might feel during their program. I also make it required reading for all the students I place. It gives them tons of ideas on how to deal with different problems that might arise. It also helps to validate how they feel when they are feeling down or lonely and gives them tips on what to do to overcome these feelings. This book is head & shoulders better for hosting families than the companion host family book.

A Culture Shock

I'm planning on going to France through a foreign exchange program next year. This book completely caught me off guard. It made me aware of the culture shock an exchange student experiences when adjusting to a new family and lifestyle. The book helps you prepare for your year abroad and for returning home to the U.S. It explains the (about) 8 steps of the exchange process and how each one affects the student. My favorite part of the book, though, were the examples from former exchange students. Their stories helped make the book more insightful, and they helped me to understand what I should do in different situations. I highly recommend the book for future travelers.

An absolute "must-read" for any prospective exchange student

The Exchange Student Survival Kit is a solid primer for foreign exchange students and host families alike. Now in a completely revised and updated second edition that includes references to the latest communications technology (e-mail, instant messaging, cell phones, online games, etc.), crucial advice with regard to personal safety, and notes concerning ongoing changes in society and family life that affect travelers, The Exchange Student Survival Kit covers everything from practical packing to learning to identify "red flag" emotions that are likely triggered by culture shock to preparing for reverse culture shock on the trip home. Peppered throughout with anecdotes of young people from various different nations adjusting to a new way of life, The Exchange Student Survival Kit is an absolute "must-read" for any prospective exchange student or host family.

great book, really helps!

It really helped me get through it, and I would recommend it to anyone going overseas.

A Must For Future Exchange Students

This is an excellent book for anyone who's going to be an exchange student, as it gives the reader a realistic view of what going on the exchange will really entail. It covers settling in, homesickness, culture shock, making friends, learning the language, getting ready to leave, and "reverse culture shock" -- coming home again. Although not every exchange student may experience the stages in the exact order or extent the author describes, most exchange students will be able to identify with what she's saying. I found it very informative and comforting to read this book before going to Ecuador for a year, and it was also helpful to read during the exchange, simply to know that what seemed like bizarre feelings were really fairly normal for exchange students. Do yourself a favor and read this book before you go, you'll be glad you did. It'll leave you feeling a whole lot less in the dark about what's going to happen during your exchange.

Very informative and understanding!

This book provides extremely helpful information about adjusting to life as an exchange student. It has checklists for packing, tips about avoiding cultural mishaps, personal stories, and the stages of getting used to your temporary home. Everything is easy to find and written clearly. A must have for exchange students!