What adjustment issues are common for exchange students?
Separating from everything and everyone known to your child may be confusing and troubling for a while. Each of us has developed over a period of time “support system” of family and friends, common activities, and places on which we unconsciously rely for security. Your child, leaving behind his/her own support system, may for a time feel at a loss, especially if things don’t proceed as hoped. With the help of the host family, as well as the Placement Organization representative, your child will begin to develop the new “support system” he or she needs to be successful in his/her overseas exchange experience. Your child will also learn to rely on him/herself. You may receive a letter or a phone call in which your child sounds somewhat depressed. Usually what happens is that during a sad moment your child writes to or calls you, as you always have been the closest person available for support. In the majority of cases, within a day or two the situation described clears up or is no longe
