The Alternate Species Called "Outbound Foreign Exchange Student"

Before I begin the bulk of this blog post, I'd like to share an image:



To the trained and/or, more likely, squinting eye, this image may represent the unpredictability of the modern world, or commercialism in society. To me, this best represents the Argentine visa process. It's interesting. Yeah, interesting is a good word for it.

It can also be called "an educational experience" or, just as accurately, "sticker collecting". Ah, but to an extent, it's good fun! It's an excuse to drive all over the tri-state area and go to DC a couple of extra times.

Now to the bulk of this post:

Telling others that you are an outbound foreign exchange student, especially those whose only experience with foreign exchange students has been through "That 70s Show", can be interesting. In rural south-central Pennsylvania, where foreign exchange students are a rare species and even international travel is uncommon, I've been looked at like I have sprouted three heads for planning to go abroad as an exchange student. Here's a list of some of the questions and comments I've gotten, both normal and abnormal:

1. "Why would you want to do that?" Well, there are these things called other countries, and other cultures, and other languages, and they're pretty darn interesting! Not to mention the benefits of being fluent in two languages and cultures, gaining insight on your own culture and other cultures, reducing stereotypes about your home country and your host country, being able to look at life with the values, attitudes, and views of two cultures, growing as a person, and making lifelong relationships.

2. "Will you be going to school?" Well, actually, I was planning on staring at clouds all year while my peers attended school.

3. "Do you speak Spanish?" No, solo un poco espanol mal. Actually, my usual response is, "Nope! But I've studied German and Chinese!"

4. "When do you arrive in Italy/Spain/Germany/Europe?" Me: *blank, confused look* "Do you mean Argentina?"

5. "You're going to be in Buenos Aires (or a city that isn't in Argentina: I've gotten Rio de Janeiro and Santiago), right?" Me: Uh, no, though I'll fly into Buenos Aires! I'm going to General Roca. Them: *confused look* Me: *talks excitedly about the size and location of mi ciudad nuevo*

6. "11 months, that's a long time!" Me: Depends how you look at it.

7. "You must be excited." Me: YES YES YES YES YES YES!!!