By on February 8th, 2016
Staying in Touch After Your Stay
Most international students or interns will live with two or more host families during their stay. When you’ve moved to a new family, or are ready to go back home, staying in touch with the friends you’ve made is a great way to get the most out of this grand adventure you’re on. Even if you have to move on, you won’t miss out on the culture, history, and friendship your host families and friends had to offer.
Make a Plan
Before you leave, make a plan with your host family to stay in touch. Decide if regular scheduled contact would be easier to remember, or if you all prefer to simply send a quick note when you’re thinking of each other. Sometimes sending group letters or emails can be easier to a large family, or you may prefer to send one contact for each person to build personal relationships. Laying out these plans in public makes you more likely to not forget, and keeps everyone from wondering if they should have sent a gift or just a card for a special day. It also allows everyone to get prepared for your preferred method of contact, such as setting up a profile on a website, or downloading a certain app.
Ways to Stay in Touch
There are many great ways to stay in touch while in America and also once you go back home. Phone calls are great because speaking out loud is more spontaneous. With the cues of conversation, people are more likely to open up and chat for longer than if they are simply reporting to you through written contact. It also lets you practice speaking English. Sending letters is a classic and affordable way to keep in touch, especially if you are communicating with a large family. You can write to them all in a single letter, including information for the group as well as notes to particular members. Sending pictures of yourself helps your pen pal keep you front and center. It’s harder to forget to answer your letter if your picture is smiling at them from their wall. It is also a great way to share new experiences and sights that you see along the way. Email is a free alternative to letters that might be the perfect solution for everyone. It doesn’t waste paper and doesn’t rely on the mail system to be delivered.
Make Technology Work for You
Technology can be a great help in staying in touch with your host family and friends. Starting a blog to track your experiences abroad and back at home not only lets your new friends keep up with you, it also informs your family and friends back at home what you’ve been up to. The comments section on a blog offers people a way to connect and comment on your latest adventure. Smartphone apps can let you play games and stay in touch with your friends. Talk to them instantly with a chat app like Google Hangouts, or challenge them to a game of Words with Friends to keep up your friendly relationship. Social media like Facebook and Twitter, and video chat apps like Skype, can let you stay in touch instantly and even talk face to face.
You aren’t leaving your host family and friends behind forever when you move or head back home. Keeping in touch today is easier than ever with the Internet, but even without it, you can maintain your friendships forever. The support and camaraderie you developed during your stay is a great lifelong souvenir.