Becoming an exchange student?

Becoming an Exchange Student...?

• Hi, I'm interested in becoming an exchange student, I currently reside in the UK but i hate it.. i've lived here most of my life (apart from 3 years in spain) and i'm going through chronic depression, i know the only real way i could sort out this way to get away from my family for a while and to educate abroad, I'm very interested by other cultures and languages and i love to travel, i think educating overseas for a while would be the best cure and would be a great experience to carry, the only problem is.. i'm not sure if it's too late, i've begun my first year of college (I'm 17) and i am about to start studying for my AS, is it not possible to study abroad as an exchange student and to return in a year to carry on studying my A2 ? i know it's a big decision to make but i'm fully aware of that and willing, also.. if i was to study somewhere else (i want to study in another country in europe by the way) then would it be AS? because studying a foreign curriculum would prove pointless for me when i get back to the uk for uni ? Sorry if it's all a little unclear and structured, Thanks in advance - Josh

• Answer:

  I'm sorry, but you are not in the right frame of mind to be an exchange student. Running away from your problems will not make you a good exchange student! There are many stresses and challenges. Studying overseas is NOT a "cure" for chronic depression! Get that straightened out and THEN apply for an exchange year. I've seen many students who come on an exchange because they are depressed or unhappy in their home country. Unfortunately, 90% of them fail and are worse off than when they started.