6 tips to get ready to do an educational exchange after 40

You’re the kind of person who thinks that educational exchange is only for teenagers or young adults who have not yet started a career? If you think so, you’re wrong. More and more people in their 30s, 40s 50s, 60s and even 70s are living an international experience. The surprises are many and, here at SEDA College in Dublin, we have closely followed many beautiful stories. So here are some tips for those who are thinking of spending a season abroad:

Do not be afraid of the new language – Over the years, people tend to think that they will have more difficulty learning a new language and will be unable to communicate. This is a myth. Mature people are more focused and are the most active students in classes, taking full advantage of what the country has to offer. They learn quickly and always learn great lessons when they face any difficulty.

Be open to meeting different people – Friendship in exchange is a point of concern at any age. Away from family and friends, people fear loneliness; but if you are open to meeting other people you can make good friends from all over the world. You are never alone in another country where there are people of different nationalities also wanting to expand their network.

Forget your previous routine – The success of an exchange depends on your adaptation to what is different. So, one important tip is to leave aside your previous daily habits. Times of meals may change. You can hardly sleep or wake up in the hours that you were used to in your home country. You must develop a new routine.

Step out of your comfort zone – Changing your car for a bus, a bicycle or walking is common in the educational exchange. The comfort does not compare, but the benefits to the environment and to your health increase. Not to mention the chance to enjoy the scenery of the new city. The same applies to the comforts of home. It depends on the country, of course, but housing is often expensive, so there is a good chance that you will you have to share the house or even the bedroom. The advantages include proximity with different cultures and new friendships.

Check your health – One of the biggest concerns of exchange students is with health. But there’s no need to postpone the dream of the trip for fear of problems that might arise when you are over 40 years old. Being in an unknown country without preparing for the unexpected should not happen. The first step is to find a doctor in your hometown before leaving to live abroad, have all the necessary checks to make sure that your health is OK. Then just get a quality health insurance and check the policy – not all health insurance protects you from the unexpected. Stay tuned.

Seek professional help – Especially if this is your first experience abroad, look for a reliable exchange agency or the consultants of language schools to get information on your chosen destination. Professional help at this point makes all the difference to the success of your exchange.