Questions to Ask a Foreign Exchange Student
Engaging questions to ask a foreign exchange student to learn about their culture, experiences, and help them feel welcome in their new environment.
1What's the biggest difference between your home country and here?
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What's the biggest difference between your home country and here?
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Why this works
Helps you understand their perspective on cultural differences and shows genuine interest in their background.
2What do you miss most about home?
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What do you miss most about home?
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Why this works
Shows empathy for their homesickness and helps you understand what's important to them from their culture.
3What's something about your culture that you think people here would find surprising?
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What's something about your culture that you think people here would find surprising?
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Why this works
Encourages cultural sharing and helps you learn something new about their background.
4What's been the most challenging part of adjusting to life here?
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What's been the most challenging part of adjusting to life here?
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Why this works
Shows you care about their well-being and helps you understand how to support them better.
5What's something you've discovered here that you really like?
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What's something you've discovered here that you really like?
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Why this works
Brings positivity to the conversation and helps you understand what they're enjoying about their new environment.
6What's a traditional dish from your country that you'd love to share?
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What's a traditional dish from your country that you'd love to share?
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Why this works
Opens up conversation about food culture and gives you a chance to learn about their culinary traditions.
7What's something people here do that seems strange to you?
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What's something people here do that seems strange to you?
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Why this works
Shows you're open to hearing their perspective and helps you see your own culture through fresh eyes.
8What's a holiday or celebration from your country that you'd like to tell me about?
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What's a holiday or celebration from your country that you'd like to tell me about?
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Why this works
Encourages cultural sharing and helps you understand their traditions and celebrations.
9What's been the most helpful thing someone has done for you since you arrived?
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What's been the most helpful thing someone has done for you since you arrived?
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Why this works
Shows you want to be helpful and gives you ideas about how to support them better.
10What's something you wish people here knew about your country?
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What's something you wish people here knew about your country?
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Why this works
Gives them a chance to share what's important to them and helps you understand their perspective.
11What's a common misconception people here have about your country?
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What's a common misconception people here have about your country?
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Why this works
Helps you understand their perspective and gives you a chance to learn something new.
12What's something you've learned about yourself since coming here?
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What's something you've learned about yourself since coming here?
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Why this works
Shows interest in their personal growth and helps you understand how this experience is affecting them.
13What's a tradition from your country that you'd like to continue here?
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What's a tradition from your country that you'd like to continue here?
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Why this works
Encourages cultural sharing and helps you understand what's important to them from their background.
14What's something you've discovered here that you'd like to take back home?
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What's something you've discovered here that you'd like to take back home?
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Why this works
Shows you're interested in cultural exchange and helps you understand what they're learning from their experience.
15What's a word or phrase from your language that you think is beautiful?
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What's a word or phrase from your language that you think is beautiful?
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Why this works
Encourages language sharing and helps you appreciate their linguistic background.
16What's something about your country's history that you think is important for people to know?
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What's something about your country's history that you think is important for people to know?
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Why this works
Shows respect for their cultural heritage and helps you understand their historical perspective.
17What's been the most surprising thing about living here?
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What's been the most surprising thing about living here?
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Why this works
Brings curiosity to the conversation and helps you understand their perspective on your culture.
18What's something you'd like to do here that you can't do in your home country?
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What's something you'd like to do here that you can't do in your home country?
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Why this works
Shows interest in their goals and helps you understand what they're excited about experiencing.
19What's a piece of advice you'd give to someone from your country who's thinking about studying abroad?
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What's a piece of advice you'd give to someone from your country who's thinking about studying abroad?
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Why this works
Shows you value their experience and helps you understand what they've learned from their journey.
20What's something you'd like to know about our culture that you haven't had a chance to ask?
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What's something you'd like to know about our culture that you haven't had a chance to ask?
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Why this works
Encourages mutual cultural exchange and helps you both learn from each other.
Connecting with Foreign Exchange Students
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Be Genuinely Curious
Show real interest in their culture and experiences. Ask follow-up questions to deepen your understanding.
Listen Without Judgment
Be open to hearing about cultural differences without being defensive or dismissive.
Share Your Own Culture
When appropriate, share aspects of your own culture to create mutual cultural exchange.
Question Sequences
The Cultural Discovery Sequence
The Experience Sharing Sequence
Common Pitfalls
Don't Make Assumptions
Avoid assuming things about their culture or experiences. Ask questions instead of making assumptions.
Avoid Stereotyping
Don't ask questions that reinforce stereotypes or make them feel like they represent their entire culture.
Don't Be Defensive
If they mention something negative about your culture, listen with an open mind rather than becoming defensive.