An Interview with a Central Exchange Student

Becoming an exchange student is an amazing opportunity for anyone. It will be a lasting memory that will teach you how other schools in the world work while also getting to learn about the culture that is there. It is a great growing experience and you get to meet many new people that could potentially become lifelong friends. Being an exchange student also looks great on resumes and if you’re applying to colleges. 

One of our very own Central students, Aaron Hayes, is studying abroad in Taiwan right now. He was kind enough to answer some questions that people may have about being an exchange student. Here is the interview:

1. Why did you become an exchange student?

“Honestly, my mother had been an exchange student to Mexico in college and she often talked of the fun to be had. I was fascinated by the idea of people from all walks of life learning together to connect with one another as a family and communicate in a communal language. It had always sounded like something I wanted to do, I just didn’t know when I would have time. Eventually, I heard that Rotary was looking for an exchange student and I applied on a whim, suddenly alight with the possibility of becoming that which I had always looked up to…I truly had no idea what I was getting myself into when I took on this rollercoaster of a challenge and reward all wrapped up into one. It was a mix of happenstance, luck, and perseverance.”

2. What was the process like to become an exchange student?

“Firstly I want to emphasize that Rotary has been a big part of making my exchange as amazing as it is, however, it is not the only way to go on exchange, it is just what I have personal experience with. I am an exchange student through Rotary Youth Exchange, and I would not have picked any other program.

The total cost of my exchange was between $3,000-4,000, whereas any other exchange program will run you between $8,000-12,000! Not only does Rotary reduce the cost exponentially, I get a stipend of over $120 a month for pocket change, or ‘petty cash’...On top of all of that, there are rotary clubs in virtually every country, state, and territory in the world. Rotary is very connected and their resources are exponential! This allows me to feel well supported, and allows Rotary to put on big events for its exchange students…I applied through our local Rotary Club across the street from Central. I believe about 5 other kids applied. We had to fill out some paperwork about ourselves and our motivations and go through an interview before finally we were told whether or not we got into the program. Because our Monmouth-Independence Rotary club is rather small, we only send out 1 kid from the area, however, this number changes as Dallas sent 2 this year, and Newburg sent I believe 10 in total…If the applicant is not selected, they can either elect for the short-term exchange to one of 50+ countries, or, wait, as last year 2 additional spots opened up in clubs throughout Oregon (our rotary district is D5100, which is all of Oregon and Southern Washington). After the selection process, we are expected to act as a part of the club, a process I was at first hesitant about, but found out just how much fun it could be. I learned so much more about the intercity workings of both Monmouth and Independence than I would have not been at Rotary meetings. By December, a few months later after the selection process in September, we had our first ‘training’. I met students from all over the world…Rotary is again a great program because it provides free training to ensure that we are ready as young adults to travel to another country, and to ensure we don’t misrepresent the American or Rotary name…Still, there were plenty of legalities, paperwork, and online meetings to attend to make sure I wasn’t an illegal immigrant, I got into a good school, and my families were lined up. Rotary makes the process very clear and cut, and I personally think that, from what I heard, it is the best, in terms of guidance.”

3. Why did you decide to go to Taiwan?

“Initially, it was bubble tea that drew me east to Taiwan. I had been to Din Tai Fung (鼎泰豐) my fair share of times in America at Washington Square in Portland, and I knew I liked xiao long bao (小籠湯包) and buns (包子). Honestly, I kind of forgot to think about whether there would be other food here. Today, I can say I have yet to have xiao long bao in Taiwan, however, there is certainly plenty of buns (cheese, corn, taro, red bean, scallion), fried rice (炒飯), and tofu (豆腐). Along with these things, I have more new foods than I can count: stinky tofu (臭豆腐), a savory egg pancake thing (蛋餅), snowflake shaved ice (剉冰), moon cake (月餅), sun cake (太陽餅), long fried potstickers (鍋貼), a big pancake dessert (麵熊餅), a green bean slushy (綠豆沙), a plant called gorgon (芡實), tofu pudding (豆花), and black bean noodles (炸醬麵). Another influence as to why I wanted to come to Taiwan was the language. The Chinese language has always captivated my attention. It truly has been a wonder to study over the last few months that’s for sure. It should also be mentioned that China and its people have such a long, distinct, and thoroughly invigorating history. Finally, I knew that I didn’t want to stay in the Americas because I really wanted to feel like I was on my own, away from my family, and I didn’t think I could feel that way in a country as close as Mexico, or even Brazil.” 

4. Overall, how has your experience been, and what have you learned?

“Overall, my experience has been an overwhelmingly positive one… I’ve learned so much about being a teenager it feels like, just because being an exchange student is really similar to being in a family of just teenagers in a new country. In terms of what I have learned, the answers to that question are innumerable. I’ve learned how to speak Chinese, learned about other countries, and learned how to manage my money effectively…I can’t imagine how I will grow as a person (in both character and height) by the end of my exchange in July.”

5. How is it being away from friends and family?

“...Inevitably, there is going to be some heavy heartedness in regards to the spacial-relativity of blood relatives and familiar friends, however here in Taiwan I am also connected to my chosen family of friends, those who craft costumes, make a little Thanksgiving meal, and construct advent calendars with me. I think a big part of doing well on exchange is picking the right friends, and I can say that from my own experience, I would not be having as much fun if I hadn’t had the best friends to spend this meaningful time with.”

6. How do you think this will benefit your future?

“Colleges are always seeking exchange students to add to their list of undergrads… Personally, not only does this opportunity look great on the common app, but I also make the most of my time here in terms of optimizing my opportunities. I’m studying AP- Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, and both Physics 1 and 2 on my own after school at the library, and in school, I get to study Chinese, history, math, civics, English, and Korean. I think that all of these things make me a more well-rounded individual, as well as grant me further opportunities to get into the most selective colleges. In terms of lifelong benefits, I know that I will know these people I’m here with forever, especially my best friends. Furthermore, I take Chinese as a lifelong language. There is an idiom in Chinese that says: 不怕慢，就怕站. It means I don’t fear slow, I fear stopping, and this is often likened to the progress of a person. On my own, I study maybe 2 hours of Chinese a day on top of school. My avid studying has already made me the exchange student with the best Chinese in our program, as well as allowed me to speak with so many people I otherwise wouldn't've– teachers, Rotarians, classmates, locals. I think that every language I learn opens up doors to talk to people who I never before could and I think that this first-person experience is invaluable in helping to achieve the overall goal of fluidity and fluency. Of course, I also learn all of this insight into a culture different from my own…I think it goes without mentioning that I now know so many new foods and types of boba to try when I get back home, and these small, but meaningful, aspects of my exchange will definitely be benefiting my future!”

7. Was it difficult to adapt to a new school and country?

“Often, foreigners are stared at a lot in Asia, we just stand out. Eventually, however, I got used to it, and it’s not their fault they’ve really never seen a person who isn’t Taiwanese. Generally, these stares do not come with any ill will. Alternatively, traffic is really crazy here! …This goes hand and hand with the point that, as I live in Taipei, we have public transport! I have never lived in a city before, so I’ve never experienced public transport, however, I think it’s both fantastic and convenient. Taipei is a large city, and the MRT system makes it a lot more convenient to manage. Here in Taipei, everyone lives in apartments, there are no houses here, and as someone who’s lived in a house my whole life, I think it’s very different.“

8. How different is their education system from ours?

“We start school at about 8:10, and roll-call/attendance isn’t really a thing…We have 7 periods 4 days a week and 8 periods once a week. About once a month we have 6 days of school where we have to go to school on Saturday to make up for a holiday. Every period is 50 minutes and we have 10-minute ‘passing periods’, although the style of teaching actually requires the teacher to switch classrooms and the students are together all day long, all year long. That is unless we have language classes or clubs, then we split off. The teaching style is often referred to as lecture-based, meaning that for almost the entire 50 minutes the teacher will talk and the students will sit and take notes. The same horseplay allowed in America is rather frowned upon here. Additionally, the school is never locked on the inside, but we do have a guard and a gate at the front of the school…At 12, our 4th period ends and we have an hour and 10 minutes for lunch and 休息, which one can think of as a type of siesta. Keeping the classroom and school clean is an important part of a student's responsibilities, so we have built-in time to clean the classroom every day as well. Every 2 months we have what is called a 段考, or in English a bimonthly exam. Here, we take long exams for all of our classes for two days straight. I think the aspect that everyone is in every class together is very interesting. I would be interested to find out how a Taiwanese student distinguishes themself from colleges as every student in the grade has the same math class, the same English class, and the same history class et al, etc may simply be by grades, I don’t personally know. Electronics are not often integrated into learning besides teachers using the SmartBoard. In math, calculators and Desmos are unheard of. Often, schools have international teachers to teach English at a native, or close-to-native, level. These teachers often do not speak any Chinese and their sole job is to get the students to learn, speak, and acclimate to an English-speaking environment. In Taiwan, the learning of English is associated with high opportunities for learning and better jobs internationally. In Taiwan, a student's grades are no secret. Teachers post exam results publicly for everyone to see. Additionally, as an exchange student, my experience is very different from one that an exchange student in America would experience. Both myself and the other exchange students at my school are not actually real students. We don’t appear on the roster for classes, we don’t have numbers like everyone else, and heck the principal didn’t even tell the teachers we were coming! I think this is one thing our education system in America really does better, is allowing exchange students to integrate into classes with the rest of the students.” 

9. Do you have any advice for anyone who is wanting to become an exchange student as well?

“Unfortunately, there were events last year that, even though students were selected, the pressure of being away from all that they find comfort in for a whole year, is just too much. Whether it’s physical or mental, there will be challenges that make you question if is this really something you should do. I’ve heard people call it a waste of a year because they don’t take advantage of it. Personally, before I arrived I was wondering if I was clinically insane for wanting to go to the country with the hardest language in the world (I haven’t quite figured out the answer yet). There will be emotional rollercoasters and both literal and figurative boundaries and obstacles to overcome, but you will come out the other side a better person. If I had to pick the 2 most important tips for anyone looking into being an exchange student I would say: 1. Remember that you are not alone, there are hundreds of students (if not thousands) who are also going on exchange this year, everyone is feeling these same feelings of fear, pressure, and nervousness. 2. Study your language! I cannot express how frustrating it is for teachers, parents, and students alike to have to deal with someone who has no language skills. Fortunately in our modern age, all exchange students are required to at least speak English, so if need be, they can express their urgencies to one another. Granted this doesn’t mean that you have to be fluent by the time you arrive (or even leave), however, the closer you get, the better your exchange will be for everyone.  Accompanying this tip, don't be like everyone else…Subsequently, Rotary would like me to include: do not drink, drive, do drugs, date, or disfigure your body (new tattoos, piercings, etc.). Finally, Rotary encourages all students to ‘Always Say Yes’! This means that when choosing between the Austrian opera and an average Tuesday at school, Rotary, as a culture-focused exchange program, would encourage you to go to the opera.”

Going on the exchange can be very difficult. It’s hard to get used to a new environment with different ways of learning while also being away from friends and family for months. All these things considered it is still an amazing opportunity that can create wonderful memories that will last a lifetime. You will learn things that you aren’t able to in your home country and though it can be scary it's worth it!

Thank you, Aaron Hayes, for agreeing to be interviewed!