Trazee In-Depth: Domestic Exchange Programs

The opportunity to travel has always been a major draw for any educational program. Traveling abroad has especially been popular for students and young adults to gain culture, experience and education. Often this experience away allows students to break away from their comfort zone — always a great foundation for becoming a well-rounded individual and, ultimately, an experienced and viable employee.

Any study-away program can further develop a person’s independence through real-life experience, work and education. While many students flock to London, Paris and Rome for an education abroad, others choose to stay stateside through domestic exchange programs.

Not only does this cut down on expenses and travel costs, but there is so much within the United States for students to learn and grow from. Without experiencing a culture or way of life firsthand, it can be easy to make generalizations about an entire group of people and remain static.

With some insight into the day-to-day lives of our fellow Americans, young adults, students and interns can benefit from a little perspective.

America has a dynamic and diverse culture ranging from state to state, urban territories to rural and everything in between. Generally, individuals use a host of environmental and social markers to generate an opinion and basic understanding of an entire geographical population.

With a heavier focus on educating young adults on the depths of American culture, a domestic exchange program could provide a richer understanding of our own culture. There is an importance on education and understanding that sometimes gets lost in the minutia of routine life and can be a crucial part in character development, beginning from a young age.

With daily connectivity through social media, sharing viral videos, information and fake news, it is easy to think we have a grasp on culture and each other. Technology may connect us and give entire groups of people a voice, but there can be a lot lost in translation.

Deciphering the difference between information from fake news and virtual from reality has become more difficult, thus making real-life experiences for the sake of educational development all the more important.

Study-away and travel-based programs have always been a great method for students looking to broaden their horizons while enhancing their education. Even a few weeks at a time at another high school, college or office in another part of the country could be a novel idea to break out of the “bubble.”

With the recent and incredible discourse from this past election, it would be interesting to weigh the benefits of educating Americans on life around the country, and then the globe.

Oddly, there doesn’t seem to be a demand for high-school students, college students and young adults entering the work force to experience life and culture around the United States, while there are countless study abroad and volunteer tourism programs.

Volunteerism is an amazing way to give back while experiencing another culture. There are countless causes in the United States that could benefit from volunteers who could gain credit, and better align their experiences with their future careers. It is my opinion that, at a young age, Americans could benefit significantly through the understanding of our own diverse culture, before embarking abroad.

With so many under-represented demographics across the United States, any age individual, student and worker could benefit from a better understanding and education of our own citizens.

Still, with such a divide between the United States since in the past election year, it seems generations before us could have benefitted from a domestic education long before now.

The idea of walking in another’s shoes is a cliché, but has remained through the times for good reason. It would be an incredible way to create a bit more understanding and less stereotyping based on federal sanctions.

National Student Exchange has built a network of more than 180 institutions across the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The success and response of the program has been inspiring and allows for a much richer domestic experience and education.

This program connected students across the country and the globe. The integrated system allows students to further their education in a custom way, while broadening their understanding, gaining experience and providing perspective and a well-rounded mindset.

For those considering a volunteer program, study-away or internship opportunity, a domestic-exchange option should be high on the list. Whether embarking on a new career or striving to broaden one’s horizons, communication skills and cultural understanding, this option will be easier to maneuver, more affordable and eye-opening.