Expectation: Flying to a foreign country with your friends is bound to be incredibly glamorous.
Reality: To save money, your school opted for a budget flight. You doubt you'll ever feel your knees again.
Expectation: Your host family will provide a home away from home.
Reality: They can't even pronounce your name.
Expectation: Your exchange partner is going to be your new best friend.
Reality: Not speaking the same language is really limiting how much bonding you can do.
Expectation: You're on a cultural tour. You're going to see everything your host city has to offer.
Reality: You may be in a foreign country, but you're in the middle of nowhere.
Expectation: Well, at least you'll be able to explore the local cultural highlights.
Reality: Your exchange partner is more interested in watching dubbed reruns of The OC.
Expectation: While you're away from home, you're going to go out every night.
Reality: You threw up on your first night and now you're on a drinking ban.
Expectation: But house parties abroad are incredible. At least you'll enjoy those.
Reality: They're no different to house parties at home.
Expectation: You're going to fall in love and start a beautiful, long distance relationship.
Reality: The boys are more interested in playing computer games than hanging out with you.
Expectation: You're going to sample a brand new cuisine.
Reality: McDonald's tastes the same in every country.
Expectation: At least you'll return home with a deep understanding of continental wines.
Reality: Teenagers drink blue alcopops wherever you are in the world.
Expectation: You'll be the most popular girl in school. Everyone will think you're sooooo exotic.
Reality: Everyone laughed at you when you read aloud in their English class, and you never really understood why.
Expectation: Back at home, you're at the top of your class. You're bound to impress everyone with your language skills.
Reality: The exchange students started learning English years ago. They speak it better than you do.
Expectation: You've made a friend for life. You and your exchange partner will stay in touch forever.
Reality: You'll soon forget each other and get confused when you pop up on each other's news feeds.
Expectation: But at least your language skills have developed. You're practically fluent.
Reality: Nope. You haven't learnt a thing.
