Have a small dictionary at hand to help you out if there is a word you do not know and you need a particular thing. ( I remember asking my hostess for 'gallows' instead of 'hangers' LOL)
Do not give the family you are with worries by disappearing without telling them where you are going or isolating yourself for long periods in your bedroom. They will want you to be happy and will be hurt and upset if you are critical and give the impression that you disapprove of their home, customs, or way of life because you think everything is better back home.
If you have health problems or allergies, tell them.
Go with the flow and adapt to the way of life of the family you have been placed with, showing willingness to participate in their normal activities and try to eat the food they prepare even if it is not the sort of thing you are accustomed to. Offer to help: they are likely to say you don't need to but they will appreciate the gesture. Be punctual and do not keep them waiting unnecessarily.
Do not borrow or use things without asking if it is OK.
Don't change clothes several times a day and inflict tons of washing on your hostess as a result, and keep your bedroom tidy. If needs be ask how to use the washing-machine and offer to do your own ironing.
Don't hog the bathroom for too long and don't forget to make your bed.
Mind your table manners. Use the tools provided and don't pick up things from your plate with your fingers unless you see them doing it.
You will find portions served probably smaller than at home and, if food is passed round in a dish rather than ready plated, think of the others who have to help themselves after you. There are usually more than one course so you will not go hungry.
If it is a school exchange and several people from your region are on the exchange with you and you all attend the same school, do not spend much time with them. You are there to practise your French not your English. Local people frown upon foreign groups of youngsters that are too loud and descend 'en masse' in small shops touching everything and buying nothing.
French teenagers do not wear a lot of make-up. Clothes-wise jeans are acceptable in school but not distressed or over decorated, and tiny shorts over tights are a no-no especiallyatthis time of the year.(In any case you will need to wrap up warm). Be conservative at first and see what the others wear.
Be positive, tolerant, make friends, and try to make the most of this wonderful opportunity to get to know people who see and do things differently. Impress the friends and relatives of the family not by praising things back home, but by genuinely appreciating the things they do for you and praising them for it.
Try all the dishes you are offered. You might be surprised at how good some of them are.
Bring weatherproof outer clothing.
Don't be afraid of making mistakes when you speak in French. How else will you learn?
Ask the family about using 'tu' and 'vous' when you are speaking. You'll probably be aware that you can use 'tu' with your peers and close friends, but it's a grey area with the parents. It might be 'vous' for the first couple of days, or they might start with 'tu' right away. And ALWAYS use 'vous' with other adults, such as the grandparents, aunts, family friends, people you deal with in shops, etc.
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
Be pleasant, polite and considerate.
Have a small dictionary at hand to help you out if there is a word you do not know and you need a particular thing. ( I remember asking my hostess for 'gallows' instead of 'hangers' LOL)
Do not give the family you are with worries by disappearing without telling them where you are going or isolating yourself for long periods in your bedroom. They will want you to be happy and will be hurt and upset if you are critical and give the impression that you disapprove of their home, customs, or way of life because you think everything is better back home.
If you have health problems or allergies, tell them.
Go with the flow and adapt to the way of life of the family you have been placed with, showing willingness to participate in their normal activities and try to eat the food they prepare even if it is not the sort of thing you are accustomed to. Offer to help: they are likely to say you don't need to but they will appreciate the gesture. Be punctual and do not keep them waiting unnecessarily.
Do not borrow or use things without asking if it is OK.
Don't change clothes several times a day and inflict tons of washing on your hostess as a result, and keep your bedroom tidy. If needs be ask how to use the washing-machine and offer to do your own ironing.
Don't hog the bathroom for too long and don't forget to make your bed.
Mind your table manners. Use the tools provided and don't pick up things from your plate with your fingers unless you see them doing it.
You will find portions served probably smaller than at home and, if food is passed round in a dish rather than ready plated, think of the others who have to help themselves after you. There are usually more than one course so you will not go hungry.
If it is a school exchange and several people from your region are on the exchange with you and you all attend the same school, do not spend much time with them. You are there to practise your French not your English. Local people frown upon foreign groups of youngsters that are too loud and descend 'en masse' in small shops touching everything and buying nothing.
French teenagers do not wear a lot of make-up. Clothes-wise jeans are acceptable in school but not distressed or over decorated, and tiny shorts over tights are a no-no especiallyatthis time of the year.(In any case you will need to wrap up warm). Be conservative at first and see what the others wear.
Be positive, tolerant, make friends, and try to make the most of this wonderful opportunity to get to know people who see and do things differently. Impress the friends and relatives of the family not by praising things back home, but by genuinely appreciating the things they do for you and praising them for it.
Have a great time!
I am also going on a French exchange at school and am really nervous ! I'm going to try and speak French because what you put In you'll get out.
Try all the dishes you are offered. You might be surprised at how good some of them are.
Bring weatherproof outer clothing.
Don't be afraid of making mistakes when you speak in French. How else will you learn?
Ask the family about using 'tu' and 'vous' when you are speaking. You'll probably be aware that you can use 'tu' with your peers and close friends, but it's a grey area with the parents. It might be 'vous' for the first couple of days, or they might start with 'tu' right away. And ALWAYS use 'vous' with other adults, such as the grandparents, aunts, family friends, people you deal with in shops, etc.