About student exchange
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New environments, new faces and fresh ideas
work magic for motivation – for inspiration – for a clearer focus. |
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To offer an adolescent a “change of playgrounds” isn’t anywhere near as expensive, as logistically difficult and as emotionally disturbing as you may think. In fact, it’s fun and parents tend to get much more out of it for themselves than they would have ever anticipated.
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Student exchange is something everyone has heard of.
It’s a great way of combining education and change of scenery. Lots of kids want to go and see the world. Lots of kids have potential and look for a challenge. But how many actually do venture out beyond familiar territory ? 99% don’t. Here are some statistics: |
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GERMANY has a population of almost 85 million people. 11,8 mio are schoolkids and over 470.000 graduate (high school = “Abitur”) every year. Approx. 18.000 teenagers go abroad for a term or a year per annum, many of them go to the United States.
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UNITED STATES : population 335 million.
Over 3.000,000 kids come out of high school every year. On average less than 1.200 (!) teenagers go abroad annually to experience life as an exchange student, whilst a sum total of 30.000 from other nations came to the US for this reason. |
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The statistics show: today’s standards in mobility in education do
not meet the urgent need for global understanding and international flexibility. In fact, they do not even scratch the surface – these figures ought to be at least ten times what they are now. Where this need is being met in a highly professional way is in the business of “International Schools” – here is an article throwing more light on this segment of education: “International Education is a Growth Industry !” |
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This mirrors an understanding of tomorrow’s demands.
However, it does nothing for the ambitions of the 99% of today’s kids who do not have the financial means
for education in “the private sector”. With Shared Mindspace, we are going to change this!
The Global Natives Club is setting new standards by inviting families with global learning ambitions to join in and redefine the parameters of access: international education will be available and accessible for every kid and every adult who longs for it. Family co-operation makes it possible.
However, it does nothing for the ambitions of the 99% of today’s kids who do not have the financial means
for education in “the private sector”. With Shared Mindspace, we are going to change this!
The Global Natives Club is setting new standards by inviting families with global learning ambitions to join in and redefine the parameters of access: international education will be available and accessible for every kid and every adult who longs for it. Family co-operation makes it possible.
A brief overview - what are the key differences?
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Classic student exchange
takes a teenage student to a country of her/his choice. Organised by an agency for a fee, the student lives with a host family and attends school for a term or a year. Expenses vary considerably and on average one in five kids changes family or returns home early. The system's major drawbacks: restricted choice of schools and hosts, emotional concerns (homesickness, loneliness etc.) and the price tag. About a third of all students say they feel under special pressure to perform well since their families had to make substantial sacrifices to enable the exchange. |
Shared Mindspace
exchanges are individual matches based on personal choice, students are familiar with the places they're going to and the people they'll be staying with; they know a lot about the schools they will attend, their new class is prepared and looking forward to them. Since students trade places there are no expenses for accommodation, food, school supplies and - with very few exceptions - no additional school fees. The only costs involved are travel expenses and health insurance. An additional and truly revolutional bonus: students can combine multiple interests (i.e. playing an instrument, sports training, sing in a choir, have a special hobby etc.) and cater for special requirements too. Shared Mindspace exchanges frequently result in follow-up exchanges and have a domino effect on other family members and on fellow class mates. |
Mindspace to Mindspace:
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... a definition of the term MINDSPACE: |
Your mindspace is everything that makes up the intellectual, spiritual, cultural, emotional and social YOU. It is the whole dynamic infrastructure of your thinking self, encompassing everything that drives you from within and without. Its original architecture comes from your genetic disposition, your mentality and your physical abilities. Loving parents will do their best to give it strength and structure.
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Your Mindspace is everything that occupies your mind and makes up your life. It’s your family and your home, your friends and relatives, your interests and hobbies, your likes and dislikes, your strengths and weaknesses, your talents and abilities, your fears and desires – everything that makes you who you are.
Anything within your mind, both the good and the bad, has potential to grow. How much nourishment you provide for this potential, how much effort and how much control you apply and how much ambition and passion you give it is your decision. For the right “fertilizer” look for diversity. For good judgement aim for a wider perspective. Shared Mindspace is dynamic Import/Export
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1.) Have a look who’s around and who you might enjoy talking to:
2.) Share your mindspace, exchange and interact:
3.) Sharing your mindspaces brings colour and inspiration to all:
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