10 Advantages Of An Exchange Program For Children

An intercultural experience can bring many benefits to your child’s life.

Nowadays it is quite common to think of an exchange program for children. The reason that these experiences are increasingly popular is that they allow you to practice a second language and learn about different cultures.

In addition, they will be able to develop and strengthen aspects of their character and personality, and change their perspective on life. If you don’t consider it wise for your child to travel alone, there is also the option of participating in a virtual experience.

Public and private school students have hundreds of possibilities to travel and supplement their academic and personal training. An experience in a foreign country will help them strengthen their independence and radically transform the way they see the world. You will see that after participating in an exchange your educational and work panorama will expand.

Why is it good to be in an exchange program for children?

1. The children develop the ability to communicate in an assertive way in different cultures. They will learn to be more precise in their words and to appreciate the difference. They will also be able to see in reality the importance and value of acting with empathy and respect for the other.
2. By choosing a country with a language other than their mother tongue, children will have the opportunity to learn a language. The best way to practice is to immerse yourself in the speaking context and be motivated to use it.
   
3. It will be part of a minimum percentage of the population that participates in a program of this type. In the long term, this fact can become a competitive advantage to access scholarships and benefits.
4. They will need to be creative in solving their daily problems. They will have to fend for themselves  and learn to react to every situation.
5. They will have the opportunity to get to know different landscapes and recreational spaces. That’s right, although the main purpose is related to academics, they will also be close to tourist places and attractions.
6. They will develop life skills that will serve them well into adulthood. By being in a school or homestay, they won’t lose much of their conventional lifestyle, but they will be motivated to find ways to meet their own needs.
7. They will be part of a completely different educational system. They will learn using their different abilities and from diverse approaches that stimulate their intellectual development. They will also acquire notions of history, politics, religion, art, society and culture from other regions of the world.

Other benefits of exchange programs for your children

1. They will build interpersonal relationships that can last a lifetime. By being immersed in a different context , their communication skills and interpersonal relationships will improve. For children it is very interesting and fun to have friends in different parts of the world.
2. They will improve their self-confidence because they will know how to cope with situations to which they would not be exposed in their daily contexts. Being able to solve problems outside the home will make them feel that they are capable of reacting positively to any challenge that life throws at them.
3. It will strengthen their ability to make safe decisions and protect themselves. If you are not around, it is they themselves who must ensure their integrity and well-being. This is a great way to be aware of the importance of self-care.
   

All these benefits will prevail in the long term and will be a formative experience in all dimensions, and unforgettable for your children. Although it may be difficult for you to think about letting go of them, think about how enriching it can be to participate in a program that helps them shape their personality and their academic future.

As UNICEF spokespersons put it in Children in a Digital World, the influence of technology is on the rise and offers limitless opportunities for communication and learning.

Therefore, it is important that parents take advantage of it as a means of consultation to participate in an exchange program for children. Also, to access a virtual intercultural experience.