A travel blog about adventure and culture

Traveler´s Buddy

  • HOME
  • TRAVEL 101
  • TRAVEL JOURNAL
  • DESTINATIONS
    • Africa
    • America
    • Asia
    • Europe
  • TRAVELBUZZ
  • MORE
    • Write for Traveler’s Buddy
    • Work with me
      • Media content
      • Video Content
      • Photography and Video content
    • Contact me
    • About me
    • MediaKit
Danakil depression camel caravan
Avatar
Juan Martinez
Monday, 04 January 2016 / Published in Travel Journal

5 things you will miss during your exchange and 5 more you will miss back at home

East_Asian_friends

Image by: Fernando de Sousa for flickt

1. Having long conversations with your friends at home about anything important

Remember those conversations about who will be eaten by aliens first? Being in an exchange means meeting new people and new friends every day. At first this might sound very interesting and fun but there are going to be some moments when you just want to sit with your good old friends at home and talk about nothing.

  1. Your favourite breakfast

I did 2 exchanges in completely different countries and since my first exchange I haven’t returned home, so I know what I´m talking about when I tell you how much I miss my favourite breakfast. There is a reason why they call it the most important meal of the day.

Whenever I return home, no matter what time of the day, I just want to eat my favourite breakfast and by now it has become a tradition for me.

  1. The song you used to hear at the club

For most of us exchange means a big change in our daily life. Going to a completely different country with a completely different culture and trying to be part of this new life. Of course such a big change also means new friends, new food and different habits.

There will be a moment during your exchange when you just want to go partying and hear that song that drove you crazy last summer but is completely different from the music people listen to in your host country.

  1. The hugging culture.

No matter if you come from South America, Asia or Europe. Sometimes you will find the hugging culture in your host country a little bit weird and you will wish people there would be more like you.

Germans don’t like to hug people at the first encounter, South Americans give kisses and hugs to everyone and some cultures in Asia don’t even touch each other. Even though they might be small these cultural differences are what makes each country special and unique.

  1. Either Christmas day or New Year’s Eve.

Christmas day or New Year’s Eve; at least one of these 2 dates is very important to you and you want to celebrate this day with family, friends or both. While most exchangers return home for Christmas, for others, due to the program or flight costs, it is not possible. I can tell you now that Christmas is not the same when you are on exchange and you will probably feel like something´s not alright.

Now your exchange is over and you want to go back, let me tell you some things you will definitely miss once you´re back.

1. THE exchange song 

No matter which type of music or language, there is a song that reminds us of our exchange.

We all have one, no exception to this rule. This song reminds us of memories, friends, parties and adventures during this amazing time abroad and each time we hear it we tell our friends at home another exchange story.

2. That first person you met and who made your exchange awesome 

Everything was unknown and uncertain, most people just ignored you and you had the feeling everything sucks; then you met this person who speaks the same language as you (or not) and who is happy to welcome you to a new country and makes your exchange simply awesome.

You went partying, drinking, having fun with this person and he/she promised you to visit you back home and continue the party. I can only say: Let’s cheer for that person that made your exchange.

  1. The lack of new experiences

During your exchange everything was new, exotic and different. At home you soon feel bored back in your old everyday schedule and the well known surroundings that are all too well explored already. However, your exchange has opened your mind; you should know how to keep your spirits high and look for new adventures.

  1. The lack of responsibilities

Everything was easy during your exchange. You had a student counselor, everything was made for you and because you were the exchange student you even had no homework or just a few tasks. This lack of responsibilities is something you will definitely miss. Life is just easier during an exchange and there will be some point where you will just want to go back and keep having that life.

  1. New Year’s Eve

Remember how awesome it was to celebrate the upcoming year on a beach in Thailand, in the streets of Hong Kong or in the underground clubs of Berlin? We had such a memorable experience of this date that we wish New Year´s at home was just half as exciting and fun as it was during the exchange.

Do you miss your exchange. Let us know how was it and where did you go in the comments below and check these 21 things I wish I had known before my exchange

[spider_facebook id=”1″]

[fbcomments]

  • Tweet
Tagged under: Africa, America, around the world, Asia, Australia, Austria, backpacker, backpacking, better, bus, Canada, cheap, Chicago, China, cities, culture, Czech Republic, deal, Denmark, destinations, England, essentials, Europe, European, Eurotrip, exchange, february, France, free, free tickets, fun, Germany, giveaway, helper, highways, home, Hungary, instagallery, Italy, january, Japan, journal, landscapes, Los Angeles, march, massive, Megabus, Mexico, miss, mountains, Netherlands, New York, North America, Norway, path, Peru, Poland, Quiz, Redbull, route, San Francisco, save money, Slovakia, Spain, start, story, summer, Sweden, Thailand, tips, Top 10, trade, travel quotes, travel tips, travel tricks, traveler, Traveling, trekking, trip, United States, USA, Washington, winter, world, worldwide, yosemite

What you can read next

Top safari experiences in Africa
What are the top safari experiences in Africa
longest and most iconic train rides in the world
Which are longest and most iconic train journeys in the world
Infographic of the cheapest cities in Europe
Which are the cheapest cities in Europe?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

See my work for Lonely Planet

Juan Martinez - Lonely Planet Berlin

See more of my work

Juan Martinez BBC Travel - Deutsche Welle

Follow me on Instagram

Instagram Juan Martinez Travelers Buddy

Follow me on facebook

facebook banner travelersbuddy

See my videos on YouTube

youtube channel Travelersbuddy

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

  • A girls guide to traveling the world: 7 Handy tips for looking after yourself as a girl traveling aloneA girls guide to traveling the world: 7 Handy tips for looking after yourself as a girl traveling alone
  • Malta’s Autumn seems like the rest of Europe’s SummerMalta’s Autumn seems like the rest of Europe’s Summer
  • What are the top safari experiences in AfricaWhat are the top safari experiences in Africa
  • Burundi, the country where the drums are sacredBurundi, the country where the drums are sacred
  • Preserving Guyana’s Pristine Landscapes: A never-ending challengePreserving Guyana’s Pristine Landscapes: A never-ending challenge
  • The ultimate packing list for a weekend travelerThe ultimate packing list for a weekend traveler
  • Planning a winter road trip in Swedish LaplandPlanning a winter road trip in Swedish Lapland
  • The Thai Park: Thailand’s most delicious contribution in BerlinThe Thai Park: Thailand’s most delicious contribution in Berlin
  • A view inside Kuala Lumpur´s cuisineA view inside Kuala Lumpur´s cuisine
  • Crossing overland between Kenya, Uganda, and RwandaCrossing overland between Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda

RECENT POSTS

  • Djenne mosque from restaurant viewpoint

    Everything you need to know before to travel to Mali

    Untouched, volatile, yet incredibly rewarding, ...
  • How to plan the perfect safari trip in Africa

    How to choose the perfect African safari trip

    Destination, budget, type of safari—here, I wil...
  • Which are the most bizarre travel experiences in Burkina Faso

    Which are the most bizarre travel experiences in Burkina Faso

    From sitting next to wild crocodiles, to ceremo...
  • Best things to do in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

    Best things to do in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

    Often overlooked due to its remote location, Ou...
  • How to plan a safari trip on a budget

    How to plan a safari trip on a budget

    Can safaris be done on a budget? After experien...
  • How to plan a trip to Mauritius

    How to plan a trip to Mauritius

    There are only a few countries most travelers c...
  • Hidden Currency Markets: 6 Countries with Favorable Parallel (Black) Market Exchange Rates

    While in some countries exchanging money is jus...
  • Best things to do in Niamey

    Niger Unveiled: Best things to do in Niamey

    Being one of the less traveled capitals in the ...

WRITE YOUR STORY

We accept guest posts from bloggers, journalists or travel enthusiast about anything what motivated you to travel and experience new things

CONTACT ME HERE

WORK WITH ME

Last year we worked with over 10 different tourism boards from all over the globe. Learn more how we can work together and present how awesome your destination is

CONTACT ME HERE

COME AND SAY HI

Don't be shy and just drop us an email. It´s free

CONTACT ME HERE
Travelers Buddy Mountains Footer
  • Home
  • Travel journal
  • About me
  • Contact me
  • Write for Traveler’s Buddy
  • Imprint
  • More about Traveler´s Buddy
  • Travel journal
  • Home
  • About me
  • Work with me
  • Write for Traveler’s Buddy
  • Contact me
  • GET SOCIAL

www.thetravelersbuddy.com© 2021. All rights reserved

TOP