Questions to Ask Foreign Exchange Students
Thoughtful questions to ask foreign exchange students to learn about their culture, experiences, and help them feel welcome while building cross-cultural understanding.
1What country are you from, and what is your hometown like?
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What country are you from, and what is your hometown like?
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Why this works
Opens up conversation about their background and helps you understand where they come from.
2What languages do you speak, and how did you learn English?
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What languages do you speak, and how did you learn English?
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Why this works
Helps you understand their language background and how they communicate, which can be important for building rapport.
3What are some important traditions or customs from your culture?
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What are some important traditions or customs from your culture?
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Why this works
Opens up conversation about their cultural heritage and helps you understand what traditions are meaningful to them.
4What are some foods from your country that you enjoy, and what do they mean to you?
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What are some foods from your country that you enjoy, and what do they mean to you?
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Why this works
Opens up conversation about food and culture, which is often a meaningful way to connect and learn about different traditions.
5What are some holidays or celebrations in your culture, and how do you observe them?
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What are some holidays or celebrations in your culture, and how do you observe them?
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Why this works
Helps you understand their cultural celebrations and what holidays are important to them.
6What are some challenges or stereotypes about your culture that you'd like to address?
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What are some challenges or stereotypes about your culture that you'd like to address?
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Why this works
Gives them a chance to educate you about misconceptions and helps you understand what stereotypes they face.
7What are some ways your culture has influenced your identity and how you see the world?
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What are some ways your culture has influenced your identity and how you see the world?
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Why this works
Helps you understand how their cultural background has shaped their identity and perspective.
8What are some stories or folktales from your culture that you find meaningful?
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What are some stories or folktales from your culture that you find meaningful?
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Why this works
Opens up conversation about cultural stories and what narratives are important to them.
9What are some ways you stay connected to your culture, especially while living away from home?
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What are some ways you stay connected to your culture, especially while living away from home?
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Why this works
Helps you understand how they maintain their cultural connections and what practices are important to them.
10What are some ways your culture approaches family and relationships?
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What are some ways your culture approaches family and relationships?
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Why this works
Helps you understand their cultural perspectives on family and relationships, which can be very different across cultures.
11What are some ways your culture approaches education and learning?
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What are some ways your culture approaches education and learning?
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Why this works
Helps you understand their cultural perspectives on education and what learning means to them.
12What are some ways your culture approaches work and career?
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What are some ways your culture approaches work and career?
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Why this works
Helps you understand their cultural perspectives on work and what career means to them.
13What are some ways your culture approaches health and well-being?
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What are some ways your culture approaches health and well-being?
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Why this works
Helps you understand their cultural perspectives on health and what well-being means to them.
14What are some ways your culture approaches spirituality or religion?
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What are some ways your culture approaches spirituality or religion?
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Why this works
Helps you understand their cultural perspectives on spirituality and what faith means to them.
15What are some ways your culture approaches art and creativity?
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What are some ways your culture approaches art and creativity?
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Why this works
Helps you understand their cultural perspectives on art and what creativity means to them.
16What are some ways your culture approaches music and dance?
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What are some ways your culture approaches music and dance?
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Why this works
Helps you understand their cultural perspectives on music and dance, which are often central to cultural expression.
17What are some ways your culture approaches clothing and fashion?
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What are some ways your culture approaches clothing and fashion?
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Why this works
Helps you understand their cultural perspectives on clothing and what fashion means to them.
18What are some ways your culture approaches food and cooking?
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What are some ways your culture approaches food and cooking?
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Why this works
Helps you understand their cultural perspectives on food and what cooking means to them.
19What are some ways your culture approaches travel and exploration?
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What are some ways your culture approaches travel and exploration?
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Why this works
Helps you understand their cultural perspectives on travel and what exploration means to them.
20What are some ways your culture approaches community and social connections?
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What are some ways your culture approaches community and social connections?
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Why this works
Helps you understand their cultural perspectives on community and what social connections mean to them.
Building Cross-Cultural Understanding
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Approach with Respect
Show Respect
Approach the conversation with respect for their cultural heritage and experiences, and avoid making assumptions.
Listen Actively
Pay attention to their responses and show genuine interest in their cultural experiences and perspectives.
Ask Thoughtful Questions
Ask questions that show genuine interest in understanding their culture and building connection.
Be Open-Minded
Show Empathy
Show empathy and understanding for their experiences, especially when they share challenges or difficulties.
Be Curious
Be genuinely curious about their culture and what makes it unique and meaningful to them.
Respect Differences
Respect cultural differences and avoid being critical or dismissive of their cultural practices or beliefs.
Build Connection
Find Common Ground
Look for shared interests or experiences that can help build a connection and rapport.
Show Appreciation
Express appreciation for their willingness to share their cultural experiences and perspectives with you.
Be Supportive
Be supportive and encouraging, and avoid being critical or dismissive of their cultural identity or experiences.