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Approved for foreign exchange student program
#31
(09-16-2016, 02:37 PM)Chris Wrote: We have talked about it sir. Not decided as of yet. I know mom wants me to go to a family that is strict and rules that I have to follow. We already know that who ever they place me with will have a boy around my age so getting a brother for a few months sounds really awesome. As far as spankings in school and the home we haven't got into yet.

I hadn't even considered this point before. If you are able to go, I'd think the opportunity to have a "brother," especially one near your age, would be quite beneficial for you. Big Grin
MICHAEL
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#32
I agree it could be great to have another boy around your age: provided you like him and get on well. That, unfortunately can't be guaranteed. And there are limits to what the people responsible for placing you can do to see you are compatible. I don't want to pour cold water on what I hope will be a great experience, but do remember, it is a step into the unknown for both you and the family that has you as an additional "son". Patience and flexibility may be needed on both sides, and a willingness to understand that things are done differently in other countries: not worse, just different!

(I mention this because I have had experience of the difficulties students from other English-speaking countries have had in coming to England. The shared language sometimes in fact made it harder to adjust, because the natural assumption was that everything else is shared too: and it wasn't! As a silly but true example, I had one American graduate exchange student who complained bitterly that assistants in English shops didn't say "Have a nice day!" after giving him his purchases. He couldn't grasp that in England, that was not the custom. He was a very self-centred (?spoilt) young man, though; not a bit like you, Chris! He also complained that we say "chips" for "fries" and "crisps" for "chips". Two nations separated by a common language.)
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#33
I'd be curious if that student came from the South. It could be anywhere that "have a nice day" pops up. Especially since major chain stores spread policies. Wal-Mart is a Southern firm and observes these habits. But, Southerners are the most likely to expect such courtesy. As do most of their adults expect the courtesy titles of Ma'am and Sir. They are more traditional in manners.

Of course, his complaint against a society that doesn't use them is rude, which is what he's implying about them. So it's the pot calling the kettle black. The whole point is to try something else. It sounds like he wasn't very successful, if he couldn't even get chips and 🍟 straight. Blush He could be in the habit of being gracious to the offender, while belittling them to his private circle. This is quite common among natural born Southerners, who aren't really pleased, when outsiders move into their region. It's left over from the Civil War, because they were invaded.

Maybe some similar resentment still exists in England or Ireland. I wouldn't be sure. I'm not all that schooled in their histories. I just know they've had conflicts.
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#34
(09-16-2016, 02:37 PM)Chris Wrote: We have talked about it sir. Not decided as of yet. I know mom wants me to go to a family that is strict and rules that I have to follow. We already know that who ever they place me with will have a boy around my age so getting a brother for a few months sounds really awesome. As far as spankings in school and the home we haven't got into yet.

Chris,

It would be great if you are placed with a family that has a boy near your own age. I hope it works out that way for you.

Please keep us in the loop as to how this progresses!

Again, congrats!
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#35
Afraid I don't recollect where the student was from. From memory, I don't think he was particularly courteous himself. He was, though, rich (probably how he came to be on exchange). That's often a bad sign, wherever the person hails from, especially if the wealth was unearned.
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#36
Thanks everyone for your replies. At this point we are trying to narrow a few locations. We are looking at everything from customs, languages, looking at guardians at each location and yes discipline in each school and the guardians of which I will stay with. My counselor working with us has been great and has been there for all questions we have.

I think for me I'm looking forward to the custom changes. I don't think I'll have a problem or an attitude towards customs of other countries.
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#37
(09-20-2016, 10:12 PM)Chris Wrote: I don't think I'll have a problem or an attitude towards customs of other countries.

This all sounds very sensible, Chris.

I'm sure you won't have a problem with customs in other countries, but it can be confusing to the newcomer, especially when language is used differently.

I don't know whether you do French at school; but that language has a notorious collection of "faux amis" (false friends) which are words that sound like English ones, but actually mean something else. That can be very puzzling at times.

When will you know where you're going?
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#38
I am proud of him and happy he has this opportunity but it has been really hard for me to let him go. I feel like I'm losing part of me. I know he will enjoy it and he will be fine but I know the day he leaves I'll be the one crying. He wants to go in January but I don't think we will be ready that soon. There's so much involved in this plus he didn't nor I thought he would be approved for this so unlike a lot of exchange students we didn't use this spring or summer preparing for it. So my guess now will be August/September of next year.
KIMBERLY
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#39
(09-21-2016, 12:43 PM)Kimberly Wrote: I am proud of him and happy he has this opportunity but it has been really hard for me to let him go. I feel like I'm losing part of me. I know he will enjoy it and he will be fine but I know the day he leaves I'll be the one crying. He wants to go in January but I don't think we will be ready that soon. There's so much involved in this plus he didn't nor I thought he would be approved for this so unlike a lot of exchange students we didn't use this spring or summer preparing for it. So my guess now will be August/September of next year.

Like many parents, I found myself in tears when my son went off to university, though of course I knew that he'd be back in a few weeks, and that it was essential for his future progress. It's like that for you, though the same is true for Chris. But actually, relatively short separations make the great day when he finally leaves home for his own place easier to bear than if he'd been around all the time.
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#40
I see that Chris hasn't gave any kind of update on this so I will fill you guys on what is going on. Most of the necessary paper work is completed and has been turned in and next month we are taking a visit to Thailand. He gets two visit and they recommend taking one that he may like but may be a little out of his comfort level and then take one where he thinks he does want to go and thinks it will be more natural for him. So our first stop is Thailand the second we be this spring and who knows where that will be.
KIMBERLY
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