exchange programs essay

Student Exchange Program Essay: Examples, Topics, & Tips

It is not a secret that for every open slot at a prestigious college, there are from 10 to 15 eager applicants. They often seem equally qualified academically.

However, it is often the college application essay that sets one lucky applicant apart from the others. While writing is very personal, and styles can vary, the college application mistakes that students tend to make are common. So if you want to find out 10 college application mistakes to avoid, just read this article by Custom Writing experts!

Want to succeed? Just keep reading this article by Custom Writing experts!

• ✅ What to Include
• 👣 Writing Steps
• 💡 Essay Topics
• 👀 Essay Sample

🔗 References

✅ student exchange program essay: what to include.

The following information should be included in a good student exchange essay.

To make your essay really strong, try our hints for writing motivation essays and a personal essay .

👣 Student Exchange Program Essay: Writing Steps

Outshine the other applicants by writing an excellent student exchange essay that demonstrates your ability to think intelligently and express yourself in writing! The process of writing an impressive exchange application essay is not as complicated as you might think.

Here are the writing steps that will help you write a thoughtful, convincing, and concise exchange application essay.

💡 Student Exchange Program (FLEX) Essay Topics

• Many students have experiences, identity, or talent that define their character and life. Their application for FLEX would be incomplete without it. Please share your story if it sounds like you . You can find an exchange student essay on this topic below.
• Our success in studies, personal life , and career owes to the lessons learned through overcoming obstacles. Have you ever faced a failure, challenge, or setback that made you stronger and smarter? How did it affect you, and what conclusions did you make?
• Recall a hard problem you had to solve or the one you are still struggling with. For example, it can be a complicated assignment, an intellectual challenge, or an ethical dilemma. Why is it so critical to you? Which steps did you take or could take to find a solution?
• Reflect on a belief or idea that you felt was wrong. Why did you question it? What result did you reach in these thoughts?
• Our accomplishments and realizations spark a new understanding of life and personal growth . Tell about a similar event that changed the way you perceive yourself and others.
• Describe an idea or topic that is engaging enough to make you lose track of time. Why is it so captivating? What actions do you make to learn more in this field?

👀 Study Abroad Essay Sample

Every person has a talent. It takes a while to discover it, but life becomes similar to an engaging strategy game once you know your vocation. My parents never insisted on my selecting a path. I tried many hobbies and activities, but none of them lasted longer than a year.

Four years ago, I attended my first botany class. At that moment, I understood that it was something I would like to study deeper. So many plants surround us, and we are ignorant of their names and life cycles. This knowledge gives us an opportunity to understand our role on the planet and explore how we can help nature.

This year, I asked myself: what do I want to do in my future life? It didn’t take long to answer. I would like to become a pharmacologist and develop new medicines. But at the moment, I need to study hard. I expect that the study abroad program will allow me to learn more about American culture and make me more open-minded.

As an international student, I will have a chance to perfect my biology knowledge at an American school. I can tell a lot about trees, flowers, and grass, as well as the animals and birds that live in them. That is why I will always have a topic to discuss with my host family and peers. I am looking forward to meeting new people and experiences.

Your student exchange application essay can be the deciding factor for your selection and participation in the student exchange program. There is no doubt that your student exchange essay can be a good indicator of your personality. Make every effort to communicate your enthusiasm for studying abroad and let the student exchange program officials learn about your unique qualities. Also, don’t be shy to use every bit of help that you may require. For instance, try a summary helper if you struggle to finish up your writing properly, get someone to proofread your writing in case you’re not sure if it’s perfect, and so on.

Remember that studying abroad is a life-changing experience that will impact your college career. Don’t miss this chance to invest in your future. Start your journey today with a strongly written and carefully proofread student exchange essay. We promise it will make a difference!

✏️ Student Exchange Essay FAQ

If you write an application for a scholarship, it is crucial that your study abroad essay tells about your personal motivation to participate in the exchange program. Otherwise, you may focus on the general pros and cons of the experience.

When you start a personal statement, keep in mind that it is the way admission committees get to know you. Make sure to provide relevant info about your goals , passions , examples of personal accomplishments , etc.

If it is a welcome letter to a foreign student, express how glad you are to meet them. You may give some advice on how to adapt to the new environment, share your thoughts about the exchange program, and ask about the student’s feelings and impressions .

Some advantages of becoming a foreign exchange student are: broadening your horizons , getting off your comfort zone, making new friends, practicing foreign languages (if applicable), gaining new skills/knowledge. Overall, it is an excellent opportunity to experience something new and valuable.

• 25 Reasons to Study Abroad | Top Universities
• Exchange Programs | U.S. Department of State
• EU students | European Commission
• Student Exchange Programs | EF Foreign Exchange
• International Student Exchange Programs
• 8 Student Exchange Programs for Teens | GoAbroad.com
• How to apply – International Exchange and Study Abroad
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The contest is now closed. Please check Contest Results page to read the essay of the best paper writer. Custom Writing team has selected 15 best works among the submissions, and we gladly invite our blog readers to help us determine three most talented writers amid contest participants.

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Really valid and sensible . Great work. I hope it will help alot

Thank you very much, I also wanted to participate in flex program, but I didn’t understand much about Essay and I understood a lot after seeing this sample

Hello, I am from Uzbekistan. I want to participate in the student exchange program in the USA. How is this test administered? Online or face-to-face and where? And what knowledge should be acquired to participate in the program

This was an useful blog for our institute

How long should a exchange essay be?

Your essay should be up to one page in length if not otherwise required by your professor

Hello. Please help me with my essay. I can not pay. Can you send me some sample essays, please?

It is very helpful thanks.

Good techniques

What Are the Benefits of a Student Exchange Program?

Student exchange programs are hugely popular across the world but how do they benefit students? Are they really that good?

Not only do students get to experience travel to other countries but also students who participate in student exchange programs exhibit higher degrees of awareness, acceptance for cultural diversity and an increase in their cultural capital .

The social impact of student travel is well-known. This is the reason why it is such a popular method of learning and stimulating intellectual curiosity in young minds.

These programs have been designed to enable student learning at a whole different level. But the main goal is to get them out of their comfort zone so that they not only experience enhanced learning but also personal growth.

However, despite its many benefits, people falsely believe that the exchange programs are solely for the benefit of learning a new language. While that is definitely one of the ways, it is not the only aspect of this program.

One has to acknowledge the cultural element that increases their global perspective and also broadens their knowledge of the world that exists outside their homes.

If you are Looking For Student Exchange Program , then this article will tell you all there is to know so that you can make a well-informed decision.

What is a Student Exchange Program?

Let’s first start with the basics – what is a student exchange program?

The exchange program is a reciprocal travel program where the students get to travel abroad and be hosted by a partner institution. In return, they have to host the same school at a later stage.

It is a highly recommended program for students because it gives them an opportunity to immerse themselves in local culture. As you live with your host family, you will get to experience their local lives, their customs, and live like a family member during the duration of your program.

The Benefits of Student Exchange Program

As a parent, it may be daunting to send your child abroad at a young age. However, you need to understand that these are their formative years and any learning at this stage will shape their lives in the future.

If you are still contemplating the decision, then perhaps these benefits will help you make your mind.

Student exchange programs increase tolerance for other cultures:

One of the biggest advantages of an exchange program is to give your child a worldview.

It helps them see things more objectively and become more tolerant towards cultures and their customs. Some of these programs also offer an academic credit that can be used back home to further your grades.

As a result, more and more people are now open to the idea of sending their children abroad for an exchange program.

Students get global exposure:

With the global exposure, your child learns ways of the world that opens up their mind and makes them capable of thinking out of the box.

Mingling with people of different cultural communities gives them an international perspective that can add on to their college applications.

It also helps them communicate with people across cultures confidently.

Students can master the local language:

The best way to master a language is to practice it with native speakers. If you are planning to brush up your Spanish, then a cultural exchange program in a Spanish speaking country will advance your skills significantly.

Since the academics will also be in the local language, you will also be able to improve your writing and reading skills.

They develop self-confidence in students:

Needless to say, when you live away from your home in another country, you will soon build up your confidence and develop cultural sensitivity.

These are life skills that will help you fit into the global work environment with ease and also make you feel confident when interacting with people from a different culture or country.

While it may be daunting at first, it is only a matter of time when you will be able to develop your self-confidence.

This is why it is advised to learn in a new environment so that the students can develop these skills at a faster pace.

Prepares students for university:

Student exchange programs can be a life changing experience.

At the end of it, you will come out feeling independent, confident, and capable of taking on life’s challenges. As a teenager, when you go abroad to study, you will automatically become more equipped to handle your university life and other future endeavours.

As more and more employers as well as universities look for a global experience, the student exchange program will certainly make your CV look brighter.

Read all these points thoroughly and research some more about the student exchange programs before taking the plunge. It is crucial that you do this with an open mind so as to make the most of your experience.

So, if you are looking for ways to enhance your CV for college applications, then this is one of the most effective ways.

Student Exchange Program Videos

Student Exchange Program FAQ

A student exchange program is a reciprocal travel program where the students get to travel abroad and be hosted by a partner institution. In return, they have to host the same school at a later stage.

Students exhibit higher degrees of awareness, acceptance for cultural diversity and an increase in their cultural capital . Students also get to experience other countries, they can master the local language, develop their self-confidence in students and help prepare themselves for university.

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Home — Essay Samples — Education — Higher Education — Exchange Student

Essays on Exchange Student

The importance of writing an essay on exchange student.

Writing an essay on exchange student is important as it allows you to reflect on your experiences, share your insights, and provide valuable information to others who may be considering a similar opportunity. It also serves as a way to document and preserve your memories and lessons learned during your time abroad.

When writing an essay on exchange student, it's important to consider the following tips:

• Start by outlining your experiences and the key moments that had an impact on you.
• Reflect on the cultural differences you encountered and how you adapted to them.
• Discuss the challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
• Share the friendships you formed and the connections you made with people from different backgrounds.
• Highlight the personal growth and development you experienced during your exchange program.
• Provide practical tips and advice for future exchange students, such as how to navigate cultural differences, handle homesickness, and make the most of their time abroad.
• Conclude by summarizing the impact of the exchange program on your life and how it has shaped your perspective.

By following these tips and writing an essay on exchange student, you can not only capture the essence of your experience but also inspire and inform others who are interested in embarking on a similar journey.

• The Benefits of Being an Exchange Student
• The Challenges of Being an Exchange Student
• My Experience as an Exchange Student
• Cultural Differences: My Exchange Student Experience
• The Impact of Studying Abroad as an Exchange Student
• The Importance of Cultural Immersion as an Exchange Student
• Overcoming Language Barriers as an Exchange Student
• Making Friends as an Exchange Student
• Adjusting to a New Education System as an Exchange Student
• The Role of Host Families in the Exchange Student Experience
• Exploring a New Country as an Exchange Student
• My Favorite Memories as an Exchange Student
• Dealing with Homesickness as an Exchange Student
• The Value of Independence as an Exchange Student
• The Impact of Exchange Student Programs on Global Citizenship
• The Role of Exchange Students in Promoting Cultural Understanding
• The Challenges of Reverse Culture Shock for Exchange Students
• The Long-Term Benefits of Being an Exchange Student
• The Financial Considerations of Studying Abroad as an Exchange Student
• The Role of Support Networks for Exchange Students
• Balancing Academics and Cultural Immersion as an Exchange Student
• The Impact of Exchange Student Programs on Personal Growth
• The Role of Exchange Students in Breaking Stereotypes
• The Importance of Intercultural Communication for Exchange Students
• The Impact of Exchange Student Programs on Career Development
• Overcoming Adversity as an Exchange Student
• The Role of Volunteer Work in the Exchange Student Experience
• The Impact of Technology on the Exchange Student Experience
• The Role of Language Learning in the Exchange Student Experience
• The Impact of Exchange Student Programs on Global Diplomacy
• The Influence of Host Country Politics on the Exchange Student Experience
• The Role of Exchange Students in Promoting Environmental Awareness
• The Impact of Exchange Student Programs on International Relations
• The Role of Exchange Students in Promoting Peace and Understanding
• The Influence of Exchange Student Programs on Cross-Cultural Understanding
• The Impact of Exchange Student Programs on Leadership Development
• The Role of Exchange Students in Promoting Social Change
• The Influence of Exchange Student Programs on Career Opportunities
• The Impact of Exchange Student Programs on Personal and Professional Development
• The Role of Exchange Students in Promoting Diversity and Inclusion
• The Influence of Exchange Student Programs on Global Awareness
• The Impact of Exchange Student Programs on Interpersonal Skills
• The Role of Exchange Students in Promoting Tolerance and Empathy
• The Influence of Exchange Student Programs on Language Acquisition
• The Impact of Exchange Student Programs on Cultural Competency
• The Role of Exchange Students in Promoting Global Citizenship
• The Influence of Exchange Student Programs on Intercultural Communication
• The Impact of Exchange Student Programs on Academic Achievement
• The Role of Exchange Students in Promoting Cross-Cultural Understanding
• The Influence of Exchange Student Programs on Personal Growth and Development
• The Impact of Exchange Student Programs on Global Engagement
• The Role of Exchange Students in Promoting Cultural Awareness
• The Influence of Exchange Student Programs on Career Development
• The Impact of Exchange Student Programs on Social and Emotional Skills
• The Role of Exchange Students in Promoting Global Awareness and Understanding
• The Influence of Exchange Student Programs on Personal and Professional Development
• The Impact of Exchange Student Programs on Interpersonal and Communication Skills
• The Role of Exchange Students in Promoting Cultural Exchange and Understanding
• The Influence of Exchange Student Programs on Language Proficiency
• The Impact of Exchange Student Programs on Intercultural Competence
• The Role of Exchange Students in Promoting Global Citizenship and Engagement
• The Influence of Exchange Student Programs on Leadership and Teamwork Skills
• The Impact of Exchange Student Programs on Personal and Social Development
• The Role of Exchange Students in Promoting Cross-Cultural Communication and Understanding
• The Influence of Exchange Student Programs on Global Competency
• The Impact of Exchange Student Programs on Career and Educational Opportunities
• The Role of Exchange Students in Promoting Cultural Diversity and Inclusion
• The Influence of Exchange Student Programs on Personal Growth and Well-Being
• The Impact of Exchange Student Programs on Cross-Cultural Competence
• The Role of Exchange Students in Promoting Global Awareness and Interconnectedness
• The Influence of Exchange Student Programs on Language and Cultural Proficiency
• The Impact of Exchange Student Programs on Intercultural Sensitivity
• The Role of Exchange Students in Promoting Global Engagement and Collaboration
• The Influence of Exchange Student Programs on Leadership and Communication Skills
• The Impact of Exchange Student Programs on Personal and Professional Growth
• The Role of Exchange Students in Promoting Cross-Cultural Understanding and Empathy
• The Influence of Exchange Student Programs on Global Citizenship and Responsibility
• The Impact of Exchange Student Programs on Intercultural Communication and Adaptability
• The Role of Exchange Students in Promoting Cultural Exchange and Appreciation
• The Influence of Exchange Student Programs on Language and Intercultural Competence
• The Impact of Exchange Student Programs on Global Competency and Awareness
• The Role of Exchange Students in Promoting Cross-Cultural Engagement and Understanding
• The Impact of Exchange Student Programs on Cultural Diversity and Inclusion
• The Influence of Exchange Student Programs on Language and Intercultural Proficiency
• The Impact of Exchange Student Programs on Intercultural Sensitivity and Adaptability
• The Influence of Exchange Student Programs on Global Competency and Awareness

Studying Abroad: Its History and Aspects

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Exchange Student Tips

Information and Advice for Foreign Exchange Students

Student Exchange Application: 9 Powerful (and Easy!) Steps to a Great Application

Here’s the thing:

Finding an exchange student program  and choosing a host country are easy.

Actually getting onto the program you want, and being selected to go to your first-choice country, is very hard.

In a word, the problem is  competition .

When you apply to be a foreign exchange student, you’ll be competing against high achievers – well-rounded, good citizen-type students, who are highly motivated, above average academically and with great credentials.

They may be current school captains or class presidents, or captains of the school debate team.

They may even be former exchange students, or already fluent in the language of the country they want to exchange to.

From the perspective of a student exchange program, those are all big pluses.

How do you beat those guys?

Don’t fear. I have nine simple yet extremely powerful tips which are going to help you write a student exchange application that will blow them all away.

1. Make your written student exchange application irresistible by focussing on personal characteristics that the exchange program is looking for

Most people trip up because they treat their written student exchange application as an opportunity to write a long essay about themselves.

They write about their interests and skills and hopes as an exchange student.

What should they really be doing?

Focussing on the exchange program and the kinds of students the program wants to send overseas.  

Think about it.

In the mind of the person reading your application, your goals or hobbies or expectations are secondary considerations.

What that person really wants to know is whether you have the personal qualities that the exchange program thinks are important for exchange students to have.

So, when you’re writing your application, you need to keep those desirable personal qualities front and centre.

Now, here’s some good news:

Exchange organisations usually tell you the very qualities they are looking for, in very explicit terms, on their websites.

For example, the AFS Australia website states as follows:

The AFS website actually tells you very directly that AFS is looking for people who are flexible, self-confident and able to mix well with others.

If you were applying for an exchange with AFS, you’d know exactly what personal qualities to focus on in your written application, wouldn’t you?

You’d give them what they wanted and talk about how you possess all of those qualities, thereby demonstrating that you are exactly the kind of person AFS likes to send overseas, and a better candidate than your competitors.

In a similar vein, the global website for Rotary youth exchange states the following:

Again, it’s virtually laid out on a platter:

Anyone interested in applying for a student exchange with Rotary needs to demonstrate through his or her written application that he or she is:

• open to different cultures, and
• able to serve as an ambassador

Before you start writing your application, be sure to find out the kind of student your exchange program is aiming to recruit, and make sure that your application demonstrates that you meet that profile.

2. Start your answers with strong, positive statements which send the message that you meet the exchange program’s requirements exactly

In high school, you’ve probably learned that the correct way to format every paragraph in an essay is to:

• Start the paragraph with a firm statement or proposition , and then
• Provide relevant evidence or other detail which supports that statement or proposition

The same rule applies with your student exchange application.

You need to start each answer with a strong, positive statement which directly addresses the question you’ve been asked and leaves no doubt that you meet each criterion set by the exchange program.

For example, your application might have the following question:

Exchange students constantly encounter new people and situations and need to be flexible and open to change. Describe a situation in which you displayed flexibility and a willingness to change.

A good way to start your answer to that question would be as follows:

I am a flexible person who has displayed a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances.

Why is that sentence so powerful?

Because it borrows key language from the question – the words “flexible”, “willingness” and “change” –  and therefore addresses the question directly.

It’s also a strong statement because it starts using the very strong statement “I am” – rather than “I consider myself” or “I aim to be” or some other weaker formulation.

In other words,  that sentence sends the message that you are exactly the person the program is looking for .

Make sure that you begin your answer to each question on your application form with a sentence that:

• includes words and phrases from the question, and
• uses strong and definitive “I am” language

3. Supercharge your opening statements using the most persuasive word in the English language

Here’s how to go one better and make the opening statements in your student exchange application virtually unstoppable:

Work the word “because” into each of your statements.

In his best-selling book Influence – The Psychology of Persuasion , Dr Robert Cialdini identifies the word “because” as the most persuasive word known to man. For some reason, people are very easily persuaded by sentences and questions containing the word “because”.

What does this mean for you?

You need to capture the strong, almost hypnotic power of the word “because” and put it to work in your application.

Specifically, try to  work the word “because” into each of your strong statements in order to make the reasons and statements that follow seem more convincing .

So, the introductory words we looked at earlier would change from:

I am a flexible person because I have displayed a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances

It’s just a small linguistic change, but one which should have a big impact on the effectiveness of your application.

4. Make your application the best of the bunch by supporting your statements with facts, and only facts

Now, let me help you avoid making a big mistake.

Once you’ve made your bold statement to begin each answer in your student exchange application, you need hard evidence to back it up.

There are several kinds of evidence you could use to support the statements you make in your application, such as:

• Facts – for example, “I have studied German for five years” or “I am the editor of my high school’s yearbook”
• Intentions – for example, “I plan to take an intensive German course this spring” or “I will be volunteering at a Camp Kesem camp this summer”
• Interests – for example, “I have always been interested in German history” or “I am passionate about European politics”
• Opinions – for example, “German would be a very useful language for me to learn” and “I believe that I would make a good host daughter”

The strongest of those options by an absolute mile is facts .

In fact, if you want to knock your competitors out of the ballpark, you should only use facts to back up the statements in your application.

Why are facts so powerful?

Because they are indisputable and verifiable.

In other words, they are evidence of what you have done . That is far more valuable and credible than evidence about things you would like to do or are planning to do.

Furthermore, if you only use facts in your application, you won’t sound like you’re bragging or big-noting yourself. All you’re doing is talking about factual events that have already happened.

I almost guarantee that your competitors will be using all the other, weaker types of evidence, and submitting far weaker applications as a result.

Don’t make the same mistake.

Stay gold, and stick to the facts.

5. Gather your ammunition

Here’s a useful exercise you can use to maximise the number of strong, convincing facts in your student exchange application.

Before you even start writing your application, sit down with a blank piece of paper.

Spend half an hour writing down every single positive fact you can think of which may be relevant to your exchange application, including:

• leadership positions you’ve held
• academic successes you’ve had (for example, a high GPA or any academic awards)
• evidence that you are a good citizen (such as previous volunteer work, participation in things like scouts, and even regular blood donations)
• prior relevant experience such as previous short-stay exchanges
• any language experience – not necessarily in the language of the country you’d like to exchange to
• anything showing your adaptability
• anything demonstrating your coolness under pressure

Don’t stop writing until you’ve filled up the whole page, then go away for 24 hours.

The next day, sit down with your list and add anything else you’ve thought about in the meantime.

You want to capture absolutely any and every positive fact about yourself.

Then, when you sit down to write your application, you’ll have a ready-made stash of hard, factual evidence you can use to support your strong statements.

Then, you can move on to step 6.

6. Make sure you finish on top by playing your trump card

So, by now you have some very strong and positive statements written, and a mountain of factual evidence to support those statements.

Here’s how to seal the deal.

You need a trump card – something you’ve done which no-one else has, which makes you stand out and tells the exchange program that you are willing to go further than your competitors.

Even if everyone else is giving 100% effort, your trump card will push you to 110%. And I virtually guarantee that an exchange program will choose 110% over 100% any day of the week.

Let me show you exactly what I mean.

Case study: how I got beaten fair and square by a trump card

When I applied to go on exchange, my first choice country was Germany .

Germany is always a popular exchange destination because so many people learn German at school.

However, I thought I was in with a good chance for the following reasons:

• I was the current vice-captain (vice president) of my high school, which was one of the best schools in the region
• I was on the school debate team, editor of the school yearbook, and had a stack of other leadership and community service credentials
• I had a strong academic record, which included five years of studying German

My written application was very strong, and I thought I had a great interview with representatives from the exchange program.

I thought I had Germany in the bag.

Then, I got trumped: I got my second choice country, Switzerland, and a girl called Jessica was chosen to go on exchange to Germany.

(Switzerland turned out great, by the way, but that’s another story).

What did Jessica do that gave her the edge over me?

Like me, she was well-credentialed, had good academics and had previously studied German.

Like me, she evidently also had a strong application and made a good impression at her interview.

Unlike me, however, Jessica had undertaken an unpaid internship at her city’s German chamber of commerce and gotten a letter of recommendation from the head of the chamber. She forwarded that letter along with her application.

That was an extremely smart and strong trump card, which sent the message that Jessica was super-serious about going to Germany. It was enough to push her in front of me and everyone else wanting to go to Germany.

Jessica thought outside the box and was rewarded with her first choice of country to exchange to.

Now let me tell you how to get your own trump card.

Four trump card ideas

Jessica’s trump card idea of working at her local German chamber of commerce was a good one, because it demonstrated how committed she was to exchanging to Germany.

If you have a few months before your application is due, you can try to arrange something similar, depending upon the organisations and groups located in your area.

For example, where we live, there is:

• a nursing home for elderly  Italian people
• a chapter of the American-Australian association
• a twin cities association managing the relationship with our twin city Versailles, in France,  and
• a German language library and resources centre which is staffed by volunteers

Some unpaid volunteer work at any of those institutions would combine charity work and a country-specific trump card that would be hard for any exchange organisation to resist.

Think about similar opportunities which exist in your city or region, and turn one into a great trump card.

Short-notice trump card

You might have a problem:

Internships and volunteer work take time to organise and undertake.

What can you do if you’re in the throes of writing your application and need a trump card within the next week or two?

Here’s a quickly actionable trump card idea that you can deploy if you’re short of time (or no other suitable trump cards seem to be available in your area):

Get a letter of recommendation from your local mayor or congressman

Politicians are nearly always big on diplomacy and promoting the region they represent.

They also love it when one of their constituents receives an award or recognition of some kind, because it reflects well on them.

Here’s how to use these traits to your advantage:

Try making an appointment with your local mayor or congressman.

Explain that you are applying for an exchange program and spend half an hour outlining some of your credentials to him or her.

Then, very politely ask him or her for a letter of recommendation, on official letterhead.

In exchange, offer to make yourself available for a photo opportunity if you are chosen to go on exchange, and be sure to keep that promise if you are successful.

His or her answer will nearly certainly be “yes”.

A letter of recommendation from a recognised political figure can open a surprising number of doors.

The exchange program may figure that if you’ve met and made a good impression on your congressman or mayor, you’ll make a good impression on people that you’ll meet overseas.

7. For maximum impact, put your strongest evidence first

Here’s a strange little fact:

The average adult now has an attention span of only 8.25 seconds .

Furthermore, according to a study cited by Forbes magazine, the average adult reads at a speed of about 300 words per minute .

T he person reading your student exchange application will probably only focus on the first 40-45 words of each answer you give before starting to lose focus .

That, in turn, means that you need to do two things:

First, use your strongest evidence first . Once you’ve made your strong statement for each answer, follow up with the strongest fact or evidence you have to support that statement. Because you’ve only got one or two sentences before your audience starts to lose attention, you need to fill those first few sentences with your best stuff.

Second, keep your sentences short . From a readability perspective, it’s already good practice to keep your sentences to a length of around 20 words each. Keeping your sentences short and to the point – and not filling them with unnecessary things like adjectives – will also help you to maximise the amount of information you get across in your application before the person reading it loses concentration.

8. Use these three tools to make your student exchange application a pleasure to read

The person reading your student exchange application may have dozens of written applications to read.

How do you make yours stand out?

You may be surprised to hear that one of the easiest ways to make a good impression through your application is to make it easy to read.

Here are three tools that will make your application an easy and pleasurable read:

Tool 1: Short sentences

By all means, use as many facts to support your application as you feel are relevant.

But, be sure to keep your sentences short when describing those facts.

The reason for doing this is simple:

Long sentences are tiring for a reader and can result in your core messages getting lost.

Make sure you don’t bury your high-quality content under lots of unnecessary verbiage.

• minimise your use of colons and semi-colons
• don’t use connecting words like “which” and “that” unless you absolutely have to
• aim for one sentence per idea or example you wish to make, and
• try to keep your sentences shorter than 20 words, and no longer than 30 words

Tool 2: A font which is easy and pleasant to read

If your student exchange application is typed rather than hand-written, and you can control the font, make it more readable by applying the following font rules.

Use at least 13-point font , and preferably 14-point . The default on many word processors is 12-point which is too low and can cause eye fatigue.

Use 1.5 point line spacing , to increase the gap between lines and make them easier and more pleasant to read.

Use a plain, no-nonsense typeface like Times New Roman or Arial , which won’t distract or annoy the person reading your application, and let them focus on your content.

Tool 3: Use the active voice, and minimise the passive voice

Write as much of your student exchange application in the active voice as possible, and avoid writing in the passive voice.

What’s the difference?

A sentence written in the passive voice has no subject – that is, no person doing the verb.

For example, the following sentence is in the passive voice:

I was voted class president last year.

Now here’s the same sentence in the active voice:

My classmates voted me class president last year.

In the first sentence, it isn’t immediately apparent who voted for the narrator to be class president. The second – active voice – sentence contains the subject “my classmates”, which makes this clear.

You need to avoid writing in the passive voice, and write your entire student exchange application in the active voice instead, because:

• Readers tire when they have to read a lot of sentences written in the passive voice
• The person reading your application may recognise your use of the passive voice – particularly if they are older than about 45, or have a lot of experience with linguistics or learning languages – and mark you down for writing incorrectly
• The active voice helps to minimise any ambiguity

If you already have great content, applying these three tools will help your application make an even more positive impression and increase your chances of success.

9. Make your student exchange application twice as strong by getting not one, but TWO experts to read it

This may be the most important tip on this page:

Once your exchange program application is written, you need to ask two very specific people to proof-read and evaluate it for you.

“But wait,” you say. “I’ve already lined up my mom/dad/best friend to read my application and make suggestions”.

Unfortunately, that won’t work. Here’s why:

• your family and friends are unlikely to give you honest feedback – that is, they will tell you what you want to hear, rather than what you need to hear, in order to spare your feelings
• they won’t necessarily have any insight into what the exchange program will be looking for , and
• they are unlikely to have the technical expertise to make your answers read well

Here’s a better idea:

Get two people with specific, relevant experience and skills to review and make comments on your application.

Expert 1 – A trusted teacher at your school

First of all, you need to ask a teacher at your school who you know well and are friendly with to take a look at your student exchange application.

Why a teacher?

Firstly, because teachers spend a good part of each day evaluating work that their students have written. They are practised at reviewing documents and providing honest but constructive feedback.

In other words, the teacher you ask will most likely give you genuine, actionable tips on how to improve your application.

The second reason is that the teacher will know you and be familiar with your personality, and may be able to suggest additional information that will enhance the content of your application.

The final reason is that teachers generally have a practised eye for spelling mistakes, grammatical errors and the like. Your teacher should be able to ensure that your application contains no errors which will detract from the effectiveness of the content.

Expert 2 – A former exchange student

The second person you need to show your student exchange application to is a former exchange student at your school who you know and are friendly with.

It doesn’t matter which exchange student program he or she travelled with, or which country he or she went to.

The reason for asking this person to look at your application is simple:

He or she will know what it takes to be a successful exchange student, and should be able to offer advice on the contents of your application which will make it more appealing to the exchange organisation.

The student should also be able to coach and advise you on the application process generally, including the application interview, which I’ll also deal with in my next post.

If you have any further tips or questions about filling out an exchange program application, you can leave them in the comments below.

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