Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Get to Know the Locals

Depending on the program you are in, meeting native speakers may actually be a challenge.

Just like here, it's necessary to join clubs, organizations, and sports in order to meet people and feel connected to the campus. Students in host countries are often excited to meet foreign students--they just don't make the effort to find them, so that's where your job comes in! Be proactive in finding extracurricular activities and don't be discouraged if you find the language barrier immense. You only get better with practice.

Look for clubs that follow your interests, like a film critic club or community service group. ERASMUS is a program for European exchange students in European countries--keep an eye out for their activities because they often offer programs for foreign students to get to know each other.
Don't forget to ask questions of students you meet in order to get to know their culture better. They will undoubtedly have questions for you too!

Tip: Don't join clubs with students who want to speak English.
Alternative: Clubs with a goal of reciprocity in language learning.


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