Why should I prepare an Introduction Video to my Future Host Family?
Exchange program organizations now usually require students to prepare an introduction video to present themself to their future host family. Why?
If you have applied to be an exchange student abroad, you have probably received from your exchange organization an application package. You will need to answer some questions in a pdf form, share some medical information, attach your grade reports and teacher recommendations, sometimes a language test result, do a photo collage, and write a nice host family letter to your future host family.
It is now quite usual to also ask the future exchange student to prepare a short introduction video. This video is used to help future host families get to know you a bit better, imagine themselves welcoming you in their home, and last but not least, assess if they are the right host family for you and if you are the right exchange student for them! This is called the "matching" of a student and a host family.
Appearing in a video and talking about yourself in front of the camera will share more information than a simple host family letter. More emotions, more personality insights, more impressions than just written words.
As you can see, this video could be quite crucial for the success of your student exchange abroad. Let us help you make the best of it!
What does the exchange organization or my host family expect me to do in this video?
First of all, it is usually required that you talk in the language you will use in the country you are going to. If you applied for a High School Study Abroad with a French host family, talk in French! If you applied for a High School Study Abroad in Ireland, talk in English, for a student exchange in Spain, in Spanish, etc.
Check how long your video should be. Not too short, as it gives the impression you did not take great care in preparing it. Not too long either... so... We would say that 1 and a half to 2 minutes could be a good start. It also depends on how comfortable you are with the language.
Something very important: do not read a text you prepared in advance or worse, do not read your host family letter! This video should be prepared obviously but should also remain spontaneous. Your host family does not expect you to speak the language fluently and it is nice for them to see how much you speak now. They want to see your eyes and expressions and do not want to listen to you reading something. As you know, non-verbal communication is very important!
What does your student exchange organization expect from you? To present yourself honestly, to give the right impression of your personality, and to show your motivation for the program.
What does your future host family expect from you? They want to see who you are, where you live, who are your family members, and what your daily life looks like. They want to listen to you and see you and better know you before they decide to welcome you into their home. It is very important, both for yourself and for your host family, that the relationship starts on the right foot.
How should my video to my future host family look like?
Understand that the video you share with your future host family will build the first impression they will have of you. Do your best to send along lively, authentic images that truly show who you are. Show happiness, dynamism, and voluntarism.
Share your personality with confidence:
- if you are rather introverted/reserved, explain this to your host family, as they should not expect you to be a different person than who you are. But tell them that even if you are rather discreet and sometimes like to be on your own, you fully understand that you do this program to join a new host family, get to know them, spend time with each member of the family, share with them your feelings and emotions, and integrate fully into their family life.
- if you are rather extraverted, we think they will see it clearly in your video! :-) So just be yourself, and show your enthusiasm and motivation. If they feel they are just like you they will feel comfortable welcoming you in their home!
We suggest you avoid sitting in front of the camera as it can be boring after a while. If you can move around, and show different places (home, school) or people (family, friends) your video will be more lively!
What should I talk about in my video for my high school exchange program?
You can be very creative if you wish. If you like doing videos or are experienced, we are sure you will find nice and innovative ideas to present yourself to your host family. If you do not have many ideas and need some help to build your video, just follow the plan suggested below:
- Who are you? Present yourself with some basic information, your name, eventually your nickname, your age, and where you live (city, country).
- Try to show a little bit about your home, eventually of your neighborhood or even your city. You are not a tourist guide! We advise showing for example your school or where you do sports for example. You can stand in front of your home with your family or your pets!
- Present your family members and share something you would like to say about them. Maybe say what you will miss from your family when you are abroad. You can show some images of a family dinner or a typical family activity you do.
- What are your hobbies and extracurricular activities? Explain where, when, and how long you do those activities. The host family must understand what your daily life looks like.
- Why do you want to go on an exchange? Talk about your interest in the language, the country, and the culture. If you know relatives or friends who had such an experience, explain how you were inspired by them.
- Explain how long you have been studying the language and if you have been in the country already.
- Explain to your host family the relationship you expect with them, what you think could be challenging for you at school, and always be very positive.
How should I end my video for the exchange program abroad?
Try to find a great end to your video. Do not stop the video abruptly. Go slowly to the end of your video and take the time to say goodbye and see you soon! The end of your video should raise the wish to get to know you better! :-)
The last few seconds may be what your host family will remember about you. You are doing a video to present yourself and find a host family you will feel comfortable living with and vice versa. Remember to smile!
Depending on your personality you may wish to end your video:
- either quite basically, but insisting on your wish to meet them very soon, like "I say goodbye for now but I'm really looking forward to meeting you as soon as possible, bye bye"
- or a bit more pro-actively: "I hope you will choose me to be your exchange student next year and I can't wait to start my adventure in (country) with you."
- or even "I did my very best to talk about myself with honesty as I hope you will be interested in welcoming me into your family. I will feel very grateful if you do!"
- etc.
Try to end the video with a warm message to your potential host family. Express your gratitude for the opportunity. We hope these tips and advice were helpful for you to prepare your Introduction Video to your future host family.