Student Exchange During the Corona Pandemic: Possible?

A student exchange is a very special experience for most young people. You get to know a foreign culture and language and make new friendships.

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To participate in an exchange, you usually register with an agency that handles the applications. Of course, private exchanges are also possible, but especially during the Corona pandemic, the knowledge of organizations is helpful.

Can it be done so easily during Corona times?

The answer is yes and no. Before you decide to participate in a student exchange, you need to know that not all countries are currently available. Only countries that are currently safe and have not issued a travel warning are eligible. This means that countries like South and North America are currently excluded from exchanges.

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First, you should ask yourself which language you want to learn. Most students want to improve their English or Spanish. As the next step, you will select a list of countries for your exchange. Your chosen agency will then carefully check your desired country. The following criteria will be considered:

• 1. Are the borders open?
• 2. Is entry possible?
• 3. Is a flight connection to this country possible?
• 4. Is attending school possible?
• 5. How is the country handling the Corona pandemic?
• 6. What is the current situation in daily life?
• 7. Can you meet friends outside of school?

Based on these criteria, the agency will review the countries and select suitable options. The agency will assess the risk and check whether you can return home in the event of border closures or flight cancellations. Currently, European countries are primarily available, such as Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, or Latvia.

It is important to prepare for the fact that your exchange year will be different due to Corona. However, with the right planning, it can still be successful.

How do I organize a student exchange during Corona times?

If you have decided on a student exchange, it is best to first gather as much information as possible. A student exchange is a significant logistical effort.

The best approach is to contact an organization. They can answer all your questions and help you organize all the travel preparations. For some countries, you will need a visa. How to obtain one in each case will be explained in detail on these sites. You will also find a direct contact person if you encounter any issues abroad.

The advantage of using an organization during Corona times is that they are well informed about the situation in different countries. You will only be placed in a country that is truly safe. They ensure that you can attend school and experience a somewhat normal life outside of school.

Why is an exchange in Europe recommended at the moment?

For someone living in Germany, an exchange in Europe is currently the most viable option. The advantage is that you will incur lower travel costs, don’t need a visa, and in case of emergency, it will be relatively easy to bring you back.

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Perhaps you’re a little disappointed that "only" Europe is available for you and exciting America is off the table. But it’s not that bad or frustrating. After all, you’re primarily doing an exchange to learn a new language and culture. The most popular languages learned during exchanges are English and Spanish. You can do this in Europe as well. England and Ireland are beautiful English-speaking countries.

To improve your Spanish, you can, for example, travel to Spain.

We hope this article has answered some of your questions. We wish you a wonderful journey! :)

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