Overseas exchange

[Colapop]

What is Denmark like? Climate and food etc?

I liked it. Cold dark winters for sure - but long hot summers (not much in the middle) Food is relatively normal as you'd ecpect for northern europe. It has a fairly relaxed atmosphere to it. There was a good music scene from memory - in saying that I'm not a muso so...? What do I know?

[scracha]

idealistic chap like yourself would be treated in a conservative bastion of polygamy and religious zealotry.

Polygamy...hey...Utah doesn't seem so bad for a young man!

Edit: Just looked at Buffy's post below - GO somewhere that English ISN'T the main language. It is an effective way of losing the perspective that you belong to the the dominant global uber-tribe.

Totally agree with the non-English speaking thing.

Actually...as nobody understands my Scots tongue then maybe you could do an exchange with my 19 year old sister back in Scotland.

[hXc]

Actually...as nobody understands my Scots tongue then maybe you could do an exchange with my 19 year old sister back in Scotland.

Hahaha ooh...Is she hot? I can understand Scots, except when they start yelling. Or if they're very drunk.

[jrandom]

I can understand Scots, except when they start yelling. Or if they're very drunk.

So... you're saying you can never understand Scots. Right?

[peique]

The US will do nothing to add to Zac's life experience, that he can't get from television.

Yes, it will.

A trip to Europe would be incredibly broadening, educational, and may just provide the kick in the pants he needs to get politically aware, something that is vital for a future PM.

Just like any other place in the world would.

The US doesn't have a Democratic Political system.

Yes, it does.

The US would just try to make him one of them.

No, it wouldn't.

Brazil

That's a good option!

Go wherever you feel like and choose a school that has dormitories if you can.

[James Deuce]

That's not an argument peique. I want my 5 pounds back.

[scracha]

So... you're saying you can never understand Scots. Right?

Much the same here. I can't understand kiwi's apart from then they're arguing or talking about how good Australia is.

[dawnrazor]

The US will do nothing to add to Zac's life experience, that he can't get from television. The US would just try to make him one of them.

Thats got to be the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard...I lived in the US for 3yrs and it changed my life 100% for the better. To dismiss an entire country the size of the states is asinine. To dismiss americans on media reports is also flawed. To deny yourself the influence exposure to America is futile. To experience it yourself is priceless.

I'm not saying its the only place to consider or the right place, but it has as much to offer as anywhere else, except maybe Iran or Iraq or North Korea...

[hXc]

Well I rang AFS just before, regarding any Finnish students in Hawkes Bay I could talk to about the country etc etc. As it's not a very common language, there are no teachers here so I have to learn it myself.

Well turns out that a Finnish girl arrived in Napier in the weekend for an exchange. I've been invited to the AFS meeting next Sunday, so that's the day I get to meet the first Finnish person I've ever met.

The only part I'm not liking so far...is the *gulp* $18,000 including spending money and vaccinations etc.

[James Deuce]

Thats got to be the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard...I lived in the US for 3yrs and it changed my life 100% for the better. To dismiss an entire country the size of the states is asinine. To dismiss americans on media reports is also flawed. To deny yourself the influence exposure to America is futile. To experience it yourself is priceless.

I'm not saying its the only place to consider or the right place, but it has as much to offer as anywhere else, except maybe Iran or Iraq or North Korea...

Don't take it so darn personally.

[James Deuce]

Well I rang AFS just before, regarding any Finnish students in Hawkes Bay I could talk to about the country etc etc. As it's not a very common language, there are no teachers here so I have to learn it myself.

Well turns out that a Finnish girl arrived in Napier in the weekend for an exchange. I've been invited to the AFS meeting next Sunday, so that's the day I get to meet the first Finnish person I've ever met.

The only part I'm not liking so far...is the *gulp* $18,000 including spending money and vaccinations etc.

Yeah, but I bet you get a free Nokia phone that's gruntier than your PC out of it.

[Keystone19]

Congratulations. AFS to Finland is the way to go.

I was an exchange student in Finland (Rotary) when I was 17 and spent a year there. It was the most amazing, exciting, rewarding, life changing experience and has shaped me in ways that are still now only becoming clear.

Finland is a beautiful country with the most amazing people - yes, they have a very dry sense of humour, don't say much, drink a lot, and party a lot, but they are also amazing sportspeople, kind, generous and will look after you.

I did not say a word of Finnish for the first 6 months of my trip despite living with a family who spoke no English. After that first 6 months I just started talking and to this day can still hold a brief conversation in Finnish. It is rated as the third most difficult language in the world to learn but I wouldn't worry about it. It's amazing what sign language will achieve.

Don't forget the four rules of being an exchange student - no drinking, no driving, no dating and no drugs...PM me for more details...

[Keystone19]

Well I rang AFS just before, regarding any Finnish students in Hawkes Bay I could talk to about the country etc etc. As it's not a very common language, there are no teachers here so I have to learn it myself.

Well turns out that a Finnish girl arrived in Napier in the weekend for an exchange. I've been invited to the AFS meeting next Sunday, so that's the day I get to meet the first Finnish person I've ever met.

The only part I'm not liking so far...is the *gulp* $18,000 including spending money and vaccinations etc.

It will be worth every penny.

[Finn]

Agree with Jim2 on Finland. Forget about it. Sweden, Denmark or Norway would be the pick. Don't go to England! Sitting at pubs with kiwi's getting pissed is not an OE. You can do that here.

[dawnrazor]

Don't take it so darn personally.

I'm not.

It must have been shock, is all. I have got used to reading astute, intelligent posts from you, balanced, considered and fair...and then this...interesting...