By participating in a exchange program, you will experience firsthand, a country's educational system, their lifestyle and culture. You will also learn their language, history and political structure. The exchanges are arranged so that you attend your partner's school, thereby forcing you to adapt to their language and educational system. In classes you are taught about the country's history and political system, which is further enhanced during family excursions. Did you know, that being bilingual immediately makes you a better candidate for many jobs? Since French is Canada's second language, and Spain and Mexico are very large trading partners with Canada and the United States, being bilingual will provide you with better job opportunities. The experiences on an exchange, you will treasure forever, and the knowledge you gain could impact your life in the future.

Dreams, every teenager has them, whether they are big or small. One common dream is to travel the world. Choosing to participate in a student exchange will allow you to look even deeper into a country, seeing beyond the typical tourist spots. Such as going to a small, secluded valley in the alps for skiing, visiting the quaint towns and markets, and seeing plays at the local theatres. With your own personal, three month tour guide, the opportunities are endless.

A common misconception about this program is the high cost. My research does not support this. I have found that the airfare for a round trip to France, for example costs $1053.00, and one night, 3 star accommodation costs $155.41, and don't forget you have to eat. Through this program, all of the above is included in the cost of $2400.00. Like a tourist, you have to pay for your own souvenirs and personal purchases. But, unlike a tourist, your host family pays for all excursion costs. As I have proven, the cheaper way to travel is through the exchange program.

In a teenager's eyes, one of the most important benefits of an exchange is the friendships gained. ISE tries to match your personality, interests and family situations to your partners in and effort to lay the foundation for a friendship. Personally, I not only gained a friend, but a sister. I have heard this repeated by other participants, many times. Over a three month period, beyond the gain of a sibling, you become a member of your host family, the bonds made are long lasting, as many exchange partners have re-visited their families later in life.

On an exchange you expand your senses; you taste new foods, see new sights, hear a new language, smell a different flower and touch someone's life. What part of that, doesn't sound like one amazing experience? When I think of Canada, I see it as a cultural mosaic, where many different cultures reside and live together, but there is still much more beyond our borders. If Canada is a mosaic, then perhaps we could say the world is a collage of infinite combinations of culture. To see that, you cannot just take a weekend trip, you must live there participate in their world. If you choose to go on an exchange, not only will you have the time of your life, but you will also develop a greater tolerance for other cultures. Without a level of tolerance among people, there would be no harmony, and the collage of the world could not exist. Don't make the biggest mistake of your life! Don't wait until you have student loans, a mortgage or a job. If you're going to dream, why not dream big. Go on and exchange, fill your scrapbook!

Subject: FW:

I would like to thank you, and the whole team at ISE for the amazing experience I had this summer; without the exchange foundation you created, I would not have been able to have the experiences that I did. My experience in Spain was probably the best of my life, I have literally never had so much fun. Living with a family was an eye-opening experience, and I loved every minute of it. My exchange partner and I were matched perfectly; we got along so well, I consider him a brother to me now. The family was very easy to get along with, and I felt very comfortable and at home with them. Being completely immersed in the language also helped me immensely. After taking 7 years of Spanish privately, the boring grammar and vocabulary drills finally paid off. I found myself saying things I had no idea I could not have possibly said before I went to Spain. Taking your advice, I refused to speak a single word of English for a month, and the effects were amazing. I came back ten times better at speaking than when I left. This experience has opened my eyes to the world of travel, languages, and the possibility of studying in another country. I will be applying for university next year, and the possibility of an exchange to Spain for my third year of study seems fitting. Having such a good relationship with my exchange family, they invited me to return to Spain whenever I could. Now, i still talk almost daily with my exchange partner, his family and many other people I met in Spain. Returning to Canada was rather emotional, as i had to say goodbye to all the people I met in Spain. However, saying goodbye to Pablo, my exchange partner was even harder. For the happiest times of my life, I thank you, all the team at ISE Canada and your correspondents in Spain. You have opened my eyes to the world, and I am ready to explore.

Organized by the International Student Exchange (ISE Ontario) with headquarters in Barrie, the international exchange takes place for three months with a correspondent in Canada and three months with the same correspondent overseas.

Before the traveling takes place, an application is submitted and screening and matching take place. This consists of filling out forms that specify which language you want to study, your preference of country and partner preferences, i.e., gender, smoking/non-smoking, etc.

When finished, you receive the same papers, already filled out by a suitable correspondent who matches your choices. Depending on whether you accept this partner or not, the exchange begins. You spend three months with your correspondent, showing him the sights of Canada, attending school together, helping him understand the language, and generally having a good time.

When the three months are over you and your correspondent reverse roles. It is then your turn to travel to spend a quarter of a year with your partner, living and learning with them, attending their school, all the while completely immersed in the language.

A multitude of fears and doubts may arise after having read this general description of the program. But after having taken part in such an exchange, I can easily disperse the most common.

My first fear or doubt was I didn't know enough French, German, Spanish and Italian. The main goal of the exchange is to learn another language.

Technically the less you know, the more you learn and the better it is! It is a known fact that even students with only the most basic knowledge of another tongue improve in strides when completely immersed in that language for an extended period of time.

The immersion is absolute for three months during which vocabulary and comprehension improve dramatically. As long as an open mind and positive attitude are kept, the language skills will flourish.

My second fear or doubt was that I didn't need to learn another language. Wrong. In reality, multilingualism is very helpful, especially in Canada, home to many nationalities. Companies often seek bilingual employees. ,

My third fear or doubt was that three months was much too long. I can't lie or pull out an easy answer for this one.

By the end of the exchange, almost all of the participating students find that the time ran out much too quickly. Many of them don't want to go home and would gladly stay for an extra month. It may sound like a cliche, but the exchange is generally over before you even know it.

What it all comes down to in the end is the entire exchange depends on your attitude. If you embark on the exchange by saying that you won't enjoy it, then you probably won't.

A negative attitude spoils the experience. On the other hand, opening yourself up to new possibilities and experiences, and approaching the entire trip with a positive attitude and smile on your face, will almost surely lead to a successful exchange. Numerous awards include an improvement of language skills, the chance to study a different culture and the chance to travel the globe, just for starters. Then there are the new friends and contacts made, the actual fun of the exchange and the fact that three months on one's own, away from mom and dad, can lead to much personal reflection. For many, the exchange becomes a maturing process, a great eye-opener.

People should be lining up to take part in the international exchange program but unfortunately many students don't even know it exists.

So consider yourself lucky to be one of those that know such a program exists. Go to your school's counselling office and ask them about it, because they won't come to you. Don't miss out on it because it could very well turn out to be the trip of your life.