Hear it from our students! / Life in the U.S.

Mia’s Advice for Students Starting Their Exchange Adventure

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As many of our exchange students begin settling into their communities, it’s the perfect time to hear from Mia, who spent her 2024–25 school year in Italy. She shares her top advice for students as they start this life-changing experience. You can read more about her journey here in My Time as an American Exchange Student. Stay tuned for an upcoming post, where our 2024–25 students who spent a year in the U.S. share their own advice and experiences!

Mia from Texas (third from left) with her happy host family in Italy

The best advice I can offer anyone heading on an exchange year is to never let a single moment go to waste. Say yes to every opportunity, take the initiative to meet new people, and reach out to others, no matter how little you’ve interacted in the past. Explore your town or city to the fullest and cherish every second, because the time will fly by faster than you can imagine.

Expect challenges, both big and small. Whether it’s homesickness, language barriers, adjusting to new freedoms, making friends, or navigating host family issues, it’s important to find the light in each situation. Don’t dwell on the problems, good or bad, you’ll have a story to tell. Remember, tough moments mean growth, and every challenge is an opportunity to learn. Know that it will be different than what you’re used to, but that’s the whole point, right? You left to experience a new culture.

Mia from Texas (center) enjoying lunch with her host family, with the scenic views of Italy behind them

Also, don’t come into this exchange with overly idealized expectations. Chances are, it won’t be exactly what you imagined, and that’s okay. In fact, for me, it turned out to be even better. If you hold onto a perfect vision, though, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.

Try to learn some basic language skills before you go as well. The hardest part is always the beginning, especially when you’re unsure where to start. My advice? Start with flashcards for the most common words, then focus on learning verbs. It takes time, but once you can start piecing words together, it’s all about practice and repetition. Push through the challenges early on, and it’ll get better as you go!

Ready to apply and begin an unforgettable journey? Visit our website to explore the countries we offer and learn about upcoming application deadlines. For more information, contact us at studyabroad@aspectfoundation.org. Click here to submit an inquiry form to start the process today!