An Exchange of Perspective

Education can be gleaned throughout many points of life, whether through school, life experiences, or meaningful connections. One of my most educating experiences was gained by temporarily leaving my life in Canada behind. In grade eight I participated in a nine-week cultural exchange to France. Making the decision to leave my friends and family for such an extended period was not an easy one and I had many factors to consider, but ultimately the experience left me with memorable moments and a transformed perspective. If you are looking into participating on an adventure abroad, there are a myriad of concerns to put into consideration. While an exchange can be gratifying, certain things could shift your trip into a calamity. 

Exchanges are a whirlwind of complexity and possibility. There are many forms your trip could take. Mine consisted of staying with my host family for nine weeks in Grenoble, a city in southeastern France. In return, my exchange partner resided with my family in Canada for nine weeks as well. Both my partner and I attended school in our respective host countries. School in France differed strongly to Canadian schooling, the biggest difference being the timetables. Hours were long, and classes were numerous. Another difference was the teachers. I found the teachers to be considerably more formal in France, totalitarian in a way. There was a strict and pressing barrier between the teachers and students, separated by their authority. Some other notable school differences included a rock-climbing unit in gym class, a mandatory after-school CPR course, and a weekly half-day off. Academics were not the only thing I experienced throughout the exchange. I was able to travel throughout several regions of France, even voyaging outside the country to Venice, Italy. No number of pictures could capture the moments. To this day I have not glimpsed a more remarkable scene than the sun cresting over the mountainous peaks of Grenoble. 

There is a boundless list of benefits a cultural exchange can bring. If you are situated in a non-English speaking country, your skill in the foreign language is set to improve exponentially. Over the nine weeks, my dexterity in the French language had skyrocketed. Not only was my accent cleaner, but I had picked up on words and French slang I would have never otherwise discovered. Connections were the foundation of my time in France. I’m fortunate that I was paired with such a phenomenal exchange partner.

Over the eighteen weeks spent together, we developed a sister-like bond that stuck with us even after we returned home. I formed additional, impactful connections with her family and developed friendships with those at my host school. Overall, the experience allowed me to reach a deeper understanding of French culture, including but not limited to, the food, salutations, and mannerisms. 

Another substantial advantage of an exchange is the skills you obtain. The biggest thing I left with was a newfound ability to adapt. I found myself embracing more opportunities and falling into them with ease. A feeling I will never forget is the sense of self-reliance I became absorbed in. I first perceived it the day I was late getting off the bus. I had missed my stop and was forced to walk a whole measly street home. While walking, I was struck with a sudden realization. I was alone. Four thousand miles away from home, and yet, I was perfectly fine. Thriving, even. The soft breeze emboldened me as I strolled, surrounded by the mountains. I would have never expected that missing my bus stop to be my pathway into independence. I was never one to keep a diary, finding I lacked the motivation to stay regular with my entries. In France however, I found my conscious so overcome with events, they easily jumped onto paper. If you choose to partake in an exchange, I recommend keeping a diary—it is surprising how much the little details fade over three years.  

It is not my intention to overshadow any doubts or drawbacks of an exchange. The adventure does not come without faults. The language barrier is not a wall easily climbed. Even with nine weeks of constant French, I couldn’t surmount it completely. A more pressing issue throughout my exchange was the disquieting homesickness. It reared its head around the last two weeks of the exchange, putting a substantial damper on my environment. However, when it was time to leave France, I found my feet rooted to the ground. Some may worry about getting stuck with a host family you don’t click with, and that is a very genuine concern. If this is something you would like to avoid at all costs, consider choosing a cultural exchange that does not involve host families. In addition, there is always the cost to consider, along with the safety risks. Always know the emergency number of the country you are residing in! 

I can’t pinpoint the exact moment my perspective on the world shifted. Perhaps it was during my walk of independence or the breathtaking view of the sun-lit mountains. What I do know, is that I left the exchange with a new definition of home and connection. If given the chance to depart on an exchange again, I would do so in a heartbeat. It truly made me come to a deeper understanding of the interrelatedness of our society. How we are all so similar at the core. There is always that one thing that will connect you to someone worlds away, whether it be music, TV shows, or your favourite book. We often have a habit of writing things off when they are not in our direct line of sight. The other side of the world feels invisible from where we stand. However, once you’ve seen what lies beyond that constricted lens, you come to realize one fundamental idea. We are all connected by a string, colourful and fraying on the edges. Sometimes, all you need to do is follow and see where it leads.