We put up the trampoline, hauled out the patio furniture, got seeds for the garden, and thought about attracting the regular visits from humming birds and summer songbirds. Hummingbirds… I wondered if they would come back after a year away?
It was one of those funny little realizations, a moment of clarity: the way we experience our space here is going to be very different than our partner. They aren’t here to feed the birds and tend the garden. They probably won’t set up the pool and trampoline. And while the deck and patio will be welcoming spaces after a work day, weekends will likely be spent out exploring, road trips, and excursions. Our home may simply be a roof and bed while they experience their new surroundings. I tended to imagine exchanging with a family just like us with the same values and interests, but I know that is very unlikely to be the case and we’re ok with that.
The places we want to go, things we want to see, excursions we want to take will have us out and about more often than not, I suspect. Each person’s exchange is their own to make. An Australian exchange teacher here in Canada, for example, planned a two month summer holiday to Europe to capitalize on the extended time off while others stayed close to their exchange home taking in local culture and exploring local geography.
Part of me really wants to play host and set up an amazing space for our partners but I realize too that their interests and plans will not necessarily revolve around my own family’s life experience here. Likewise when we’re there. If there is a roof overhead and a warm bed to sleep in, we’ll manage the rest. Weekend excursions, trips away on term breaks, etc. will mean the extra amenities are probably less of a concern. We’ll be traveling more than nesting and hibernating.
The seasonal ebb and flow of belongings is routine for us: trading the lawn mower for the snow blower, turning off the outside water supply, storing patio chairs and umbrellas and pulling out the skis and toboggans. For the exchange partner and ourselves, we may just have other priorities.
Have you been on exchange? What did you find about the extra amenities and comforts of the exchange home?
First of all, I spent the first month on exchange in AU feeling guilty that I was having such a great time and didn’t think my exchange partner was enjoying it as much. After all, she didn’t seem to be doing any of the things I suggested she might enjoy. The advice to me was live my exchange and let her live hers.
The comforts of the exchange house were appreciated. At the same time, we missed insulation, a coffee table to put our feet on and a warm toilet seat. We bought an electric blanket and a coffee table early on. We got used to the rest.
What was most appreciated was the friendly welcome, the offers for help like a ride to work or just an ear to listen. The mentorship at work was especially important as that was where I felt most out of my element and where I spent most of my time.
Can’t wait to do it again.
Thanks for the comment – we do find ourselves thinking as host to our exchange partners when we really just need to focus on getting the space ready for them to do what they want to do.
We have used social media to good effect so far connecting with the staffs in our respective schools.
Have wondered about what other exchangees wished they had brought with them… or were quick to purchase once there!
10 more weeks! 🙂